metaphors, which is a phrase or word that represents another object or idea that it would not normally be related to. In the poem, the author uses a caged bird to somewhat symbolize racially oppressed African Americans in the 1800s. The poem includes, “I know why the caged bird sings, ah me…” “When he beats his bars and he would be free; It is not a carol of joy or glee, But a prayer that he sends from his heart’s deep core…” By using the symbol of the caged bird in the poem, the author
Maya Angelou: Great Controversial Author Some may wonder what it is like growing up as an African-American, right after the slave period. Where segregation, and racism was a much bigger problem than today. Maya Angelou knew what this felt like because she lived through so much agony, and pain, which inspired her to write about her past. Her writing was inspiration for others that have been through the same thing, being told to be quiet, and having terrible childhood dramas. Her writing brought joy
author, poet, and civil rights activist. Her real name was Marguerite Annie Johnson, she was born on April 4, 1928, in St. Louis, Missouri. She was I chose her because she is a unique woman who lived a lot of tragedy, struggling and pain, but she became one of the greatest ever, as The Guardian writer Gary Younge, 2009 said “To know her life story is to wonder what on earth you have been doing with your own life
contributes to the way a person can differentiate themselves from one another. Every line in the poem has an underlining meaning related to being phenomenal. Maya Angelou begins the poem with, “Pretty women wonder were my secret lies. / I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model size / But when I start to tell them, / They think I’m telling lies” (Line 1-4). The use of alliteration makes the reader’s interpretation of the poem have a deeper meaning. Angelou’s words interpret that a woman’s size, shape
economists. Empowerment of women found its way into society through media and poetry supporting women and their beauty, and unlike today was free from misogynist backlash. So what’s changed? If women’s rights movement was developing progressively, why is it now, in the year 2017, women are still grabbing the short straw when it comes to their rights? Hello and welcome to the trending ABC program, By 1975 Maya was much more than a poet, she was recognized as a spokeswoman for both blacks and women
Period 8 3 March 2013 Optimism Conquers Adveristy Discrimination and prejudice throughout American history has left behind a legacy of oppression towards minorities and women. In spite adversity and harsh circumstances Maya Angelou’s poems “And Still I Rise” and “ Phenomenal Woman” leave the reader with the impression that “Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise” (Victor Hugo). These optimistic, prideful poems are anthems of strength and overcoming power for minority groups, especially
A book as joyous and painful, as mysterious and memorable, as childhood itself. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings written by Maya Angelou, one of the most profound African American authors captures the longing of lonely children, the brute insult of bigotry, and the wonder of words that can make the world right. Maya Angelou’s biography is known as an American classic that is loved worldwide because it gives a great depiction of what life was like in the 1930’s and 1940’s and the troubles African
quote by William Shakespeare, and many people believe this is true. However, to many of African-American descent, both past and present, to be “called out of your name”, is one of the greatest insults imaginable. “Mary,” a chapter from volume one, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” of Dr. Maya Angelou’s five-volume autobiography, details the horror and rage she felt, and the retribution she administered, at such an act.The year was 1938, and Dr. Angelou, then going by her birth name, Marguerite Johnson
Maya Angelou as a Caged Bird The graduation scene from I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings illustrates how, living in the midst of racism and unequal access to opportunity, Maya Angelou was able to surmount the obstacles that stood in her way of intellectual develop and find "higher ground." One of the largest factors responsible for Angelou's academic success was her dedication to and capacity for hard work, "My work alone has awarded me a top place...No absences, no tardinesses, and my academic
poet, historian, and author Maya Angelou says "in all my work I try to tell the human truth-what it is like to be human...what makes us stumble and fumbleand fall and somehow miraculously rise and go on from the darkness and into the light (Ebony 96). This theme is consistently exemplified throughout Angelou's greatly acclaimed autobiographical worksand poems such as I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings, Gather Together in my Name, Still I Rise and Phenomenal Women. All of these books depict the true-life
I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings: Novel Study Journal While suspense is created through the occurrence of certain events throughout the story, it is not the main element in the memoir. However, there are circumstances that provoke questions for the reader and draw curiosity. For instance, when Maya and Bailey receive presents from their supposedly dead parents one Christmas, it makes both the children and readers wonder if perhaps Maya and Bailey’s parents will reconnect with them soon. Also, when
Maya Angelou, a Phenomenal Woman Maya Angelou is a strong, phenomenal woman. She was multi-talented and very successful. Over the years she earned many awards for her works. In Maya Angelou’s “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings”, “Still I Rise,” “Phenomenal Woman,” and “When I Think About Myself,” she uses a caged bird to symbolize herself as a child; she also creates a vivid theme for the reader and utilizes metaphors to make her point. Maya Angelou was multi-talented. She was an author, actress,
is trying to grow and become an independent woman. At this time, many young girls like Maya Angelou grew up wishing they were a white woman with blond hair and blue eyes. That was just the start of Angelou's problems though. In the autobiography, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Maya Angelou goes into great depth about her tragic childhood, from moving around to different houses, and running away and having a child at the age of 16. This shows how Maya overcame many struggles as a young girl. At a
Maya Angelou’s “Still I Rise” is an inspiring and uplifting poem about persevering despite your past oppression and abuse. Released in 1978, the poem reflects Angelou’s past. Throughout her life, she was repeatedly beaten down, but always chose to rise up again. Through the use of figurative language and rhythm, the poem becomes a sort of a hymn. Although some point it specifically towards causes like abolition or civil rights, it embodies the lives of many from all different backgrounds and walks
possess those attributes, an hour glass figure or jaw dropping beauty, she is still beautiful in her own way. So much so that those same “beautiful women” often wonder how she achieves that level of beauty. In the next two stanzas she explains that in spite of her not having that “societal beauty”, men still obsess over her. They even ponder over why their obsession exist since she’s not as gorgeous as other women. She tells them they want to be in her presence because of the way she carries herself. The
that the subject of empowerment is very profound in are “I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings”, “Still I Rise”, and “Phenomenal Woman.” Maya Angelou was put through a lot in her life other than being raped. That was not the only event that occurred that contributed to her writing of poetry. She was born on April 4, 1928 in St. Louis, Missouri. At a young age, Maya´s parent... ... middle of paper ... ...ca, 1997): pp. 127–29. Quoted as "'Still I Rise' and the Black Spiritual 'Rise and Shine'" in Harold
She was a single mother who worked multiple jobs to support her family. Throughout her life, Maya has faced racial discrimination as well as sexual assault and has turned her pain into redemption through her poems. One of her most famous poems I know why the caged bird... ... middle of paper ... ...House Publishing, 2001. (Updated 2007.) Bloom's Literature. Facts On File, Inc. Web. 12 May 2014 . Thursby, Jacqueline S. "Angelou, Maya." Critical Companion to Maya Angelou: A Literary Reference
to heal, liberate, and empower her readers” (Bloom’s Modern Critical Views: Maya Angelou 130). This idea of empowerment is especially evident in Angelou’s three poems “Still I Rise,” “Phenomenal Woman,” and “A Kind of Love Some Say.” Angelou’s life is an interesting one, and it leaves readers with little doubt as to why it became the inspiration for many of the themes in her poetry. Angelou was born on April 4, 1928 in St Louis to Bailey and Vivian Johnson. At age three and a half, her parents
a sensitive subject. She touches many important topics such as sexual abuse, discrimination, and love, but many of her poems have a common theme: oppression. Maya Angelou shows the theme of oppression in many of her works, such as Caged Bird, Still I Rise, Women Work, and Phenomenal Woman. In Angelou’s poem Caged Bird, she begins her theme of oppression on racial issues. In the first stanza when she mentions a “free bird,” she creates the image of a bird doing whatever they please and floating by
A long time ago I believe it was on April 4, 1928 when my best friend Maya was born. Maya and I lived in the town of Stamps, Arkansas with her grandmother due to the divorce of her parents. During these awful years at the age of 7 Maya went to visit her grandmother when she was raped by her mother’s boyfriend. After this due to the hatred her uncle killed her mother’s boyfriend. She became so traumatized by all of this that she even stopped talking. During this time Maya and I became great friends