A Biography: A Biographical Biography Of Maya Angelou
analytical Essay
639 words
Tevin Hudson ENC1102 Tuesday and Thursday 7:00am-8:15am April 16, 2014 Writing Assignment 3 Biographical Synopsis Dr. Maya Angelou was born on April 4, 1928 in St. Louis Missouri. Angelou was raised in St. Louis and Stamps, Arkansas. In Stamps she was faced with the brutality of racial discrimination, and a very traumatic incident where she, she was raped by her mother's boyfriend when she was eight, but because of this she also developed an unshakable faith and values of traditional African-American family. (Angelou)This shaped her poetry and her involvement in the arts. Where she began to sing and dance and planned to audition in professional theater but that didn’t work out well because she began working as a nightclub waitress, tangled with drugs and prostitution and danced in a strip club. In 1959, she moved to New York, became friends with prominent Harlem writers, and got involved with the civil rights movement. In 1961, she moved to Egypt with a boyfriend and edited for the Arab Observer. When she returned to the U.S., she began publishing her multivolume autobiography, starting with I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings as well as several books of poetry and the third being Still I Rise in published in 1978. (Maya Angelou is born) Because of this life of hardship shaped her to who she is and was the inspiration for a lot of her poetry. Historical Context Around the time that Still I Rise was Published was just the ending of Generation X or in other words the Baby Boomers. During this Post World War 2 Era many thing where going on such as on the need to combat corruption, dictatorships, abuse, AIDS, a generation in search of human dignity and individual freedom, the need for stability, love, tolerance, and human rights for a... ... middle of paper ... ... rises in the end and will continue to rise every day until the end of time. Just like moons and like suns (Angelou 8). By using this comparison it gives off an aura of invincibility because there is really nothing in this world that can stop the sun and moon from rising every day. Work Cited Angelou, Maya. "Welcome to Maya Angelou’s Official Site." Maya Angelou. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 Apr. 2014. . “Maya Angelou is born.” 2014. The History Channel website. Apr 6 2014, 10:59 http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/maya-angelou-is-born. Chow, Balance. "The Poetry Of Angelou." Masterplots II: African American Literature, Revised Edition (2008): 1-5. Literary Reference Center Plus. Web. 5 Apr. 2014. "Still I Rise." Poetry for Students. Ed. Sara Constantakis. Vol. 38. Detroit: Gale, 2011. 218-236. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 6 Apr. 2014.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that dr. maya angelou was born on april 4, 1928 in st. louis, missouri, and raised in stamps, arkansas. she was raped by her mother's boyfriend when she was eight, which shaped her poetry and involvement in the arts.
- Analyzes how the feminist movement was inspired by malcolm x and dr martin luther king. the poem "still i rise" is written specifically with a feminine voice.
- Analyzes how maya angelou's poem, still i rise, tells people that no matter what someone may do to them, they will continue to rise.
- Introduces maya angelou's official site, which is available at http://mayaangelou.com.
- Explains that chow, balance, "the poetry of angelou." masterplots ii: african american literature, revised edition (2008): 1-5.
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- Maya Angelou: The Power Of Danceopinion essayDr. Angelou was born on April 4th, 1928, in St. Louis Missouri. All though born in Missouri, Dr Angelou was raised in Stamps, Arkansas. Dr. Angelou’s birth name was Marguerite Annie Johnson. Maya’s parents divorced and at age three she and her brother Bailey were sent to live with their grandmother. Maya lived with grandmother, Annie Henderson until the age of thirteen (Angelou, 2013). She then left Arkansas to be home with her mother Vivian Baxter in California (Angelou, 2013). Maya was scared and felt as if she was not beautiful enough to be the daughter of Vivian Baxter. Vivian would call Maya beautiful something Maya was never called before. Living with Vivian, Maya learned that she could be a giver simply by bringing a smile to another person’s face (Angelou, 2013). In Arkansas Maya experienced racism ...
In this essay, the author
- Opines that dance has been around for hundreds of years, yet they all have one thing in common. dr. angelou is a great example of what dance and music can provide to our hearts, soul and spirit.
- Explains that dr. angelou was born on april 4th, 1928, in st. louis, missouri, and raised in stamps, arkansas.
- Explains maya angelou's philosophy of life — if you don't like something, change it. she worked closely with martin luther king jr.
- Analyzes how dr. angelou's writings have altered society for the better, bringing greater diversity into theater and literature. her autobiographical works provide powerful insights into the evolution of black women in the 20th century.
- Opines that maya angelou's quote, "everything in the universe has a rhythm, everything dances," relates to life as rhythm.
712 wordsRead More - Maya Angelou's Literary Analysisanalytical essayMaya Angelou started out in humble beginnings she was born on April 4, 1928. Maya Angelou's birth name was Marguerite Ann Johnson. Her birth place was St. Louis, Missouri.
In this essay, the author
- Describes how ms. angelou called her "momma." she ran a general store in stamps, arkansas.
- Narrates how ms. angelou became a street car conductor while she went to the california labor school in san francisco.
- Describes how ms. angelou started working a number of different jobs to make ends meet. in alex haley's book entitled roots, she played the role of the grandmother of kunta kinte.
- Explains that the term paper was written to shine a little light on one of america's extraordinary women, maya angelou.
- Opines that vivian baxter was an involuntary participant in an early, shaping of ms. angelou's life.
- Narrates how angelou refused to speak for several years, believing she had caused the killing because she told of the rape. only her beloved older brother, bailey, could persuade her to talk.
- Analyzes how angelou felt that she might die and that thought brought her to a place of fear.
- Analyzes how ms. angelou stated that nothing is going to keep her down because no matter what she has and will "rise." she won a grammy award for best spoken word album for the audio version of this poem.
- Opines that ms. angelou's message is echoed throughout her life as evidence of a life well lived.
- Concludes that maya angelou's life has impacted the up-and-coming female generation through poetry, autobiographies, and mentoring.
1463 wordsRead More - Overcoming The Challenges In Maya Angelou's Lifeanalytical essayMaya Angelou’s life began in the small town of Stamps. At the age of three Maya and her Brother, Bailey, were dropped off at their grandmother’s house in Stamps by their parents. Maya lived her life as a store helper to her grandmother, Momma, and her uncle Willie. Her childhood was occupied by managing the store, going to school, and participating in cultural events. Maya’s went through many obstacles in her childhood such as the rape, desertion, and self discovery. Maya uses her relationships with other people to help her overcome the obstacles in her life.
In this essay, the author
- Describes maya angelou's life as a store helper, managing the store, going to school, and participating in cultural events.
- Analyzes how maya's brother, bailey, was the biggest reason for her to overcome obstacles by being supportive and loving as well as the only constant in her life.
- Describes how maya felt like she was an adult after being assaulted by dolores at her father's. louise and the junkyard kids helped her overcome all the obstacles of childhood.
- Describes how maya's mother, vivian, helped her overcome the obstacles she couldn't understand how to overcome as a child.
- Explains that maya angelou had a terrible, hard life and without the support of her brother, friends, and adults, she may never have overcome the obstacles she had.
987 wordsRead More - I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelouanalytical essayMarguerite Ann Johnson, commonly known as Maya Angelou, was born on April 4th, 1928 in St. Louis, Missouri during the midst of the depression developing in the United States. She was the daughter of Bailey Johnson and Vivian Baxter, and she had an older brother named Bailey Johnson Jr. Maya Angelou's nickname came from her older brother who called her Maya, shortened for, “my sister.” For a young, insecure African-American child like Maya, it was surpassingly difficult to gro...
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how maya angelou's autobiography, i know why the caged bird sings, was deeply shaped by her coming of age during the depression that caused her separation, the racism and discrimination she experienced living in the south, and the abuse she endured.
- Explains that marguerite ann johnson, commonly known as maya angelou, was born in 1928 in st. louis, missouri during the midst of the depression developing in the united states.
- Analyzes how maya angelou was persuaded to believe that the only description of beauty was characterized by blonde hair and blue eyes, leading her to think that being black and having curly hair was ugly.
- Analyzes how maya was raped by her mother's boyfriend, mr. freeman, who threatened to kill bailey if she told anyone about the rape.
- Analyzes how maya struggled with the constant changes throughout her childhood, but there were positive influences standing by her. momma taught her to accept her differences and love herself.
597 wordsRead More - leahanalytical essayMaya Angelou was born as Marguerite Johnson in St. Louis, Missouri. After her parents’ divorce, Maya Angelou and her brother were sent to live with their grandmother, in Stamps, a poor section of Arkansas (Handford). Her grandmother was very religious; she made sure they went to church. According to Salem Press, Angelou loved her close relationship with her brother Bailey, who gave her the name “Maya.” At a young age Angelou was a victim of violence. Angelou was raped by a friend of her mother during one of her visits in St. Louis. Later after her mother’s brothers found out about the rape, they killed the man(Poets.org). Angelou felt that she had caused the man’s death by telling her mother what happened, so she refused to speak for five years about her rape. With the encouragement from a well-educated black woman from Stamps, Mrs. Flowers, she regained her voice. With the help of Mrs. Flowers Angelou began to read the works of, Edgar Allan Poe, William Shakespeare and also Paul Laurence Dunbar.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that maya angelou is well known today for her poetry. she is an inspirational woman that poems speak to many young women still today.
- Explains that maya angelou was born marguerite johnson in st. louis, missouri. after her parents' divorce, she and her brother were sent to live with their grandmother in stamps, a poor section of arkansas.
- Explains that maya angelou graduated at the top of her eighth grade class in stamps and continued her education in california. she worked as a waitress, cook, and nightclub singer to provide for her son.
- Explains that maya angelou lived through tough times of racial discrimination and hardship. she returned to america in 1964 to help malcolm x build his new organization of african american unity.
- Analyzes how some critics have argued that angelou's prose is superior to her poetry. sylvester of contemporary poets called it "serious critical attention."
- Argues that angelou's poems are thin in substance, lacking in poetic invention, and in language. others argue that her poems belong to a neglected tradition, containing elements of african-american slave songs and work songs.
- Analyzes how maya's poem is about a woman that is phenomenal. she uses alliteration to portray her self-confidence in every aspect of herself.
- Opines that maya angelou is an inspiration to many. her poetry has touched so many, and will forever be admired. she has overcome so much which has made her a wise individual.
813 wordsRead More - Maya Angelou: The First African American Womanexplanatory essayBy the age of 14, Angelou and Bailey were able to move back with their mother, who moved to Oakland, California. Angelou then attended a school named California Labor School during World War II. She became the first African American female street car conductor in San Francisco. In 1944, Angelou was not always the innocent little girl everyone thought she would be. At the age of 16 years old, Maya had her first baby boy from a short lived relationship with a guy that ended in pregnancy. She struggled in her years to be able to support herself and child. She had numerous of jobs that in today’s generation, you will be embarrassed to mention to anyone. A few of the jobs she took to bring income into her household was prostitution, a table dancer
In this essay, the author
- Describes how angelou and bailey moved back to oakland, california, and became the first african american female street car conductor in san francisco.
209 wordsRead More - Maya Angelou Accomplishmentsanalytical essayThe great Maya Angelou was born on April 4, 1928 in St. Louis Missouri. Unfortunately, she died May 28, 2014 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Angelou, A&E) Angelou obtained many different activities and hobbies such as singing, spoken word, acting, history, and civil rights. With a well rounded interest in things around her, Maya Angelou suffered from various different obstacles throughout her life, such as rape, discrimination, early childbirth, and the death of many close friends of hers. Her experiences shine brightly through her works of literature, film, and advocacy of civil rights. Angelou’s background of abandonment, self righteousness, and passion for literature is reflected in her poetry through theme, experiences, and accomplishments.
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- Explains that maya angelou was born on april 4, 1928 in st. louis, missouri, and died may 28, 2014 in raleigh, north carolina.
- Narrates how maya angelou lived in arkansas with her mother and father. she was raped by her mom's boyfriend, who was arrested, released, and killed him.
- Explains that maya angelou had many different talents and hobbies. she became interested in spoken word and began to influence others in her writing.
- Analyzes how maya angelou's poetry reflects her life experiences, such as overcoming discrimination and prejudice in arkansas, and the themes of feminism and black power.
- Analyzes how maya angelou's life was examined through her accomplishments, experiences, and works of literature. she was the ultimate role model for young women today.
697 wordsRead More - Maya Angelou's I Know Why The Caged Bird Singsanalytical essayMaya Angelou was born on April 4, 1928, in St. Louis, Missouri. In her early years, Angelou was an author, screenwriter, actress, dancer and poet. Her and her brother had a difficult childhood as her parent’s split up when she was young and they were relocated to live with their paternal grandmother in Arkansas. It is in Arkansas where Angelou experienced the true horrors of her childhood. Along with encountering racial prejudices and discrimination, Angelou dealt with feelings of abandonment and rejection, which stemmed from her parents lack of presence in her life. However, the worst of Angelou’s childhood came at age seven, when her mother’s boyfriend raped her. He was later murdered in response to the sexual assault. The assault itself
In this essay, the author
- Describes maya angelou's life as an author, screenwriter, actress, dancer, and poet.
- Analyzes how maya angelou's poem, caged bird, was featured in the collection shaker, why don't you sing?
- Analyzes how angelou's use of comparison and contrast of the free and the caged bird spoke to them as a reader.
726 wordsRead More - Maya Angelou Life And Accomplishmentsanalytical essayShe was born Marguerite Johnson on April 4, 1928, in St. Louis, Missouri. As a child, most of her time was spent with her brother, Bailey Johnson, and they were raised by their paternal grandmother, Momma, in Stamps, Arkansas. Her brother was the giver of her name “Maya”. At first he called her “My” due to his shortening for “My sister”, then her nickname got to be “Maya” because he happened to be reading a book about Maya Indians, and it stuck with her from then on. Living in the south, Maya Angelou faced all the brutality and racial prejudice that occurred there. Being with her grandmother, she “learned to take pride in herself and to appreciate the strong bonds that held the African-American community in the small-town, segregated South” (Watkins 15). At the young age of seven, Angelou went to visit her mother in Chicago, where she was raped by her mother’s boyfriend, and being too ashamed to speak she remained silent for 5 years. At age thirteen she began to speak to others again and she moved to San Francisco with her brother back to where they rejoined their mother. Living in Francisco, she attended Mission High School, but later on she dropped out of school to become San Francisco’s first African American female cable car conductor. Maya Angelou decided to go back to school, but in her senior year where she was sixteen and pregnant, she dropped out of school again and gave birth to a son by the name of Clyde Bailey “Guy” Johnson (Maya Angelou). As a teenager, Maya Angelou was in love with the arts. Due to her talent, she won a scholarship to study dance and drama at San Francisco’s Labor School. In the fifties, Angelou “pursued a career in dance and theater, eventually touring twenty-two countries in the cast of Porgy and Bess” (Watkins 15). All of her past talents aided her and helped expand her writing to autobiographies and poetry. Her first publication was I Know
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- Explains that maya angelou is one of the most influential african american women of all time. she is the first african-american woman to compose a screenplay and have it filmed.
- Describes maya angelou as one of the most dominant voices and writers of our time.
- Explains winston churchill's speech on june 18, 1940 showed the most emotion and courage of any other speech he told.
- Analyzes how winston churchill's speech at the house of commons was more than trying to persuade elected officials, it was intended to speak to all people fighting against the nazi party.
- Analyzes how winston churchill's speech was written chronologically, with specific arguments and accurate data explaining how britain would win the war.
1324 wordsRead More - Maya Angelou: Poet And Civil Rights Activistexplanatory essayMaya Angelou was born Marguerite Johnson in ST. Louis, Missouri, on April 4, 1928. Angelou got the nickname “Maya” from her older brother, Bailey Jr., which means “my sister.” At the age of three Angelou and brother, age 4, was sent to live with their father’s mother, Annie Henderson, in Stamp, Arkansas. While living in Arkansas, Angelou was inspired by her grandmother. Her grandmother was an owner of a general store. Angelou was not inspired by her grandmother owning the store, but the hard work and dedication she went through to own a shop is what inspired her.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that maya angelou was born marguerite johnson in st. louis, missouri, on april 4, 1928. she got the nickname "maya" from her older brother, bailey jr.
- Explains that angelou was an american author, poet, and civil right activist. she put out seven autobiographies, three book of essays and several books of poetry.
- Opines that angelou, after a lifetime of awards and achievements, passed away on may 28, 2014 of natural causes. her work empowered people and gave us courage.
235 wordsRead More - Maya Angelou Research Paperexplanatory essayMaya Angelou was an American poet , and civil rights activist. She was a Author .She was born in st.Louis. She has a difficult childhood. Her parents hd split up when she was young.She has problems at the hands of a family associate , around the age of 7: During a visit with her mother , Angelou was raped by her mother's boyfriend. Then as vengeance for sexual assault. Angelou's uncles had killed the boyfriend. She was so traumatized the experience Angelou stopped talking. In 1944 Angelou gave birth to her son , and her son's name is Guy
In this essay, the author
- Describes maya angelou as an american poet, civil rights activist, and author.
100 wordsRead More - Maya Angelou Research Paperexplanatory essayMaya Angelou was an amazing lady, she was born April 4th 1928 in St. Louis Missouri she was many things when she was younger. She started off as an actress, to a screen writer, to a dancer, and finally to a poet. She was great at the things she did she loved doing it as well. Her parents are Bailey Johnson (dad) and Vivian Johnson (mom). They divorced when Maya was 3 years old she had it rough and went through a hard time when that had happened she was very sad and depressed. She also has 1 older sibling named bailey Johnson. Maya and bailey got sent to live with their fathers mother Anne Henderson in Stamps Arkansas.
In this essay, the author
- Describes maya angelou as an amazing lady. she was an actress, screenwriter, dancer, and poet. her parents divorced when she was 3 years old.
- Describes some of her poems, including alone, me, refusal, passing time, momma welfare roll, a concert, awakening in new york, and why the cadge bird sings.
- Describes how maya angelou's career as a dancer was fun for her and her dance teacher dana jessup at parkview elementary high point.
- Describes maya lou angelou as a great screenwriter and actress who won three gammy awards for "best spoken words" in 1993.
478 wordsRead More - Maya Angelou Research Paperexplanatory essayMaya Angelou was one of the most famous African American poets of all time. She spent fifty years writing poetry, autobiographies and was active in the civil rights movement. Born on April 4, 1928 Maya Angelou was born Margarite Johnson in St Louis. Maya became mute when she was a child at age seven due to her mother’s boyfriend who raped her. Maya was married three times and had one son at age 16. She worked under several presidents and worked with martin Luther king Jr. and his family. Maya was also an actress and appeared on Broadway she is known for her famous poem I know why the cage bird sings it received honors, two NAACP image awards in 2005 and 2009. Maya received several awards such as national medal of arts,
In this essay, the author
- Explains that maya angelou was one of the most famous african american poets of all time. she spent fifty years writing poetry, autobiographies and was active in the civil rights movement.
289 wordsRead More - Maya Angelou Research Paperopinion essayWithout a doubt, I feel that Maya Angelou’s rough childhood played a significant importance in her success as a poet and a civil rights activist. Growing up in the time that she did there was many racial and social issues in society. Society was filled with segregation and discrimination when she was growing up. African American’s often suffered a tough life in this time period. As a young child Maya Angelou had to experience hardships being African American. When Angelou was young she experienced something nobody should have to go through. Angelou was raped by her mothers boyfriend at age seven. Due to the trauma of the rape Angelou faced, she remained silent for many years to follow. Growing up and experiencing tough situations made Angelou
In this essay, the author
- Opines that maya angelou's rough childhood played a significant role in her success as poet and civil rights activist.
312 wordsRead More - Maya Angelou Research Paperanalytical essay“Love arrives and in its train come ecstasies old memories of pleasure ancient histories of pain.” This is one of many stunning and thought provoking phrases coming from the Poem, Touched by an Angel by world-renewed poet, Maya Angelou. Originally born as Marguerite Johnson, Maya Angelou was born on April 4, 1928 in St Louis, Missouri. Maya Angelou was raised by her paternal grandmother, and brought up with righteous principles and values. Angelou’s work is filled with subtle as well as forthright criticism and commentary on a variety of themes such as racism, and family, making her one of the most influential writers and civil right activists in the world.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how maya angelou's poem, touched by an angel, is one of the most influential writers and civil right activists in the world.
- Explains that angelou was raised in stamps, arkansas during the south's brutality and racial discrimination. she was influenced by family, love, respect, courage, and independence instilled in her by her uncle and grandma.
- Narrates how angelou would continue on to act and sing in various productions and further her career in the arts traveling worldwide to places such as new york and parts of europe.
- Explains that maya's life struggles and lifetime achievements enabled her to impact the world of literature and become a widely recognized symbol and ambassador for good will along the lines of race and culture.
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