Maya Angelou is known for her poems, songs, essays, memoirs but also as an important spokesperson for both black people and women, which makes her works interesting from multiple perspectives. Thus, students often encounter assignments focusing on her works in the context of her social activism – these are still ...Read More
Maya Angelou is known for her poems, songs, essays, memoirs but also as an important spokesperson for both black people and women, which makes her works interesting from multiple perspectives. Thus, students often encounter assignments focusing on her works in the context of her social activism – these are still valid/ important given the inequality issues our society faces. Whether you have to perform a poem analysis (both in terms of message and style) or to write an essay on any of her autobiographical works, you can review samples of such works below. These well-researched, well-structured, creative papers with great attention to detail (grammar, formatting, style, etc.) can serve as a good source of inspiration to guide your own writing.
Maya Angelou who wrote “Grandmother” is a novelist and poet and grew up in the south. She lived with her grandmother, who is named mother in the book, Uncle Willie, and brother Bailey. They faced many problems of racism and segregation throughout their lives. When...
Maya Angelou’s “Still I Rise” can be understood as the narrative of a woman who was discarded and hampered by the world and its cruel definition of beauty and success. You can discern the story of a young girl who once felt ashamed to appear...
Introduction Maya Angelou is one of the greatest African American Autobiographers. She is known as a ‘Global renaissance woman’. Her writing, dance career, political activism, acting career and speaking engagements have made her a national treasure. Made-to-order essay as fast as you need it Each...
The anger when someone provokes you. The pain when someone tortures you. The desire to do justice to those who harm you. It is emotions like these that evoke the instinctual impulse to reduce our precarious sense of vulnerability when people taunt us. In the...
A bird resides in a cage. In ‘Caged Bird’ by Maya Angelou, the bird is restricted from any sort of freedom, and its feet are tied to constrict movement. However, the caged bird is relentless in its pursuit to sing of freedom. The obvious joy...
“On the day when it will be possible for woman to love not in her weakness but in her strength, not to escape herself but to find herself, not to abase herself but to assert herself–on that day love will become for her, as for...
Maya Angelou’s series of seven autobiographies collectively captures the various sections of her enthralling and turbulent life. The Heart of a Woman (1981), as her fourth autobiography is an account of the beginning of her writing career, her encounters with several political figures, her active...
One cannot discuss Maya Angelou’s “On the Pulse of Morning” without providing proper background concerning the context within which it came to be. The first emergence of the poem came in January of 1993 at Bill Clinton’s initial inauguration into the presidency. It was the...
Marguerite Annie Johnson Angelou otherwise known as Maya Angelou was a phenomenal woman that was born into a devastating decade and had suffered numerous tragedies. Not only has society formed her as a lady, but she also shaped our society and influenced several lives as...
Maya Angelou was an acclaimed writer and civil rights activist who reached a broad audience through her works. While she is perhaps best known for her autobiographical prose, her poetry has changed the landscape of feminist writing, bringing in a new idea of the celebration...
The title, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, evokes a feeling of muffled hope. The reader can easily relate to the metaphor of a caged bird that moves on through life and tries to make the best of it. Although Maya Angelou had a...
Introduction “We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.” These are the words of Dr. Maya Angelou, an activist, author, and writer, a woman of color whose literature acted as a glimmer...
Graduating from Middle School is hard enough, but it is harder when one is considered a minority. Regardless of one’s race rather Hispanic, African American, or Asian, the statics are against the individual. In Maya Angelou’s “Graduation,” the main character accomplishes a monumental milestone when...
Holiday ideas for the fall? We propose 9 tourist destinations for a trip in October. There are for all tastes and budgets. We are in September, start to organize it. 9 ideas to travel in October (even in September) If you have a rest for...
On Aging a poem by Maya Angelou, the poet describes feelings as an aging person, who is growing older and tired. Sharing how the elderly shouldn’t be pitied or secluded just because one is growing older and gets tired easier. “On Aging” teaches us that...
Maya was sent from her father in California to her grandmother in Stamps when she was three years old, with her four-year-old brother Bailey. She lived in the back of the store which ran by her grandmother and uncle. The store is the center for...
“Champion of the World” is a chapter from a piece called I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou. It tells a story of a boxing event and describes what being African American in the early 1900’s was like. The nineteenth chapter of...
Maya Angelou’s poem Phenomenal Woman incorporates a feminist aspect since it depicts a woman’s capacity to be exceptional and outstanding among others. It depicts a woman who is proud to be a woman, who is self-assured and believes in herself. She also believes in her...
“Phenomenal Woman” is Angelou’s critique of patriarchal society and the way in which it teaches women to belittle themselves: “Pretty women wonder where my secret lies. I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size But when I start to tell them, They...
There is a myriad of ways that Maya Angelou presents power through a feminist lens within her poetry. Maya Angelou is best known for her exploits as a poet and is well renowned for her iconic refusal to give up her seat as a stand...
Introduction I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou is incredibly unapologetic. From her early childhood to her late teens, Maya already confronted many challenges in her life. These early challenges included moving away from her parents, undergoing self-hate, confronting racism in the...
Maya Angelou’s “Champion of the World” is a powerful essay that explores themes of identity, pride, and resilience. Through her use of symbolism, Angelou effectively conveys the significance of the boxing match between Joe Louis and a white contender, highlighting the broader struggle for African...
Maya Angelou’s “New Directions” is a powerful and captivating poem that explores themes of self-discovery, resilience, and the pursuit of personal growth. In this essay, we will delve into the deeper meanings and implications of this poem, analyzing its structure, language, and symbolism to gain...
Maya Angelou, an iconic figure in American literature, faced numerous challenges throughout her life that shaped her into the remarkable woman she became. From a tumultuous childhood marked by trauma and racism to the struggles of being a Black woman in a predominantly white and...
Maya Angelou was a prominent figure in American literature and civil rights activism. Throughout her life, she achieved numerous accomplishments that have left a lasting impact on society. From her groundbreaking autobiographies to her influential poetry and activism, Angelou’s legacy continues to inspire and empower...
Maya Angelou, a renowned poet, author, and civil rights activist, has left an indelible mark on American literature. In her poem, “My Arkansas,” Angelou masterfully employs symbolism and allusion to explore themes of identity, history, and resilience. Through the use of these literary devices, Angelou...
Mrs. Flowers by Maya Angelou is a compelling piece of literature that delves into the complexities of human relationships and the transformative power of mentorship. The story is set in the segregated South of the 1930s and is told from the perspective of a young...
Maya Angelou, a renowned American poet and civil rights activist, is known for her powerful and inspiring works that resonate with readers from all walks of life. One of her lesser-known yet equally impactful pieces is “Grandmother’s Victory.” This poignant short story takes us on...
Introduction Maya Angelou, a renowned author, poet, and civil rights activist, is celebrated for her powerful narratives that resonate with themes of resilience, courage, and hope. This essay will delve into the obstacles faced by Angelou, focusing on how she transformed her experiences of adversity...
Maya Angelou is a renowned writer, poet, and civil rights activist who has left an indelible impact on literature and society. Her works, filled with captivating storytelling and powerful messages, have touched the hearts of millions around the world. In this essay, we will explore...
May 28, 2014, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States
Occupation
Writer, Poet, Civil Rights Activist
Poems
On the Pulse of Morning
Woman Work
A Brave and Startling Truth
Mother: A Cradle to Hold Me
We Had Him
Quotes
"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."
"There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you."
"Prejudice is a burden that confuses the past, threatens the future and renders the present inaccessible."
Date
April 4, 1928 – May 28, 2014
Activity
Maya Angelou was an American memoirist, popular poet, and civil rights activist. She published seven autobiographies, three books of essays, several books of poetry, and is credited with a list of plays, movies, and television shows spanning over 50 years. She received dozens of awards and more than 50 honorary degrees.
Works
“Down in the Delta”, “His Day Is Done”, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings”, “On the Pulse of Morning”
Themes
Angelou explores many of the same themes throughout all her writings, in both her autobiographies and poetry. These themes include love, painful loss, music, discrimination and racism, and struggle.
Legacy
When I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings was published in 1969, Angelou was hailed as a new kind of memoirist, one of the first African-American women who were able to publicly discuss their personal lives. The Caged Bird helped increase Black feminist writings in the 1970s. Angelou's poetry has also influenced the modern hip-hop music community, including artists such as Kanye West, Common, Tupac Shakur, and Nicki Minaj.
Awards
Angelou was honored by universities, literary organizations, government agencies, and special interest groups. Her honors included a Pulitzer Prize nomination for her book of poetry, Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water 'fore I Diiie, a Tony Award nomination for her role in the 1973 play Look Away, and three Grammys for her spoken word albums. She served on two presidential committees, and was awarded the Spingarn Medal in 1994, the National Medal of Arts in 2000, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011.
Quotes
“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.”
“When someone shows you who they are believe them the first time.”
