(855) 4-ESSAYS

Type a new keyword(s) and press Enter to search

Maya Angelou


             While crackling babies.
             in napalm coats.
             stretch mouths to receive.
             burning tears.
             on splitting tongues.
             (Angelou42).
             The poem describes the torture endured by blacks. "Body imagery functions as poetic referent further chronicling and transporting her prophetic message: stop the assault on Black people and recognize their humanness"(Ramsey33). Maya's words are not intended to be taken seriously or lightly. It's just a creative way of getting her point across.
             The name of the poem is called "Negro" it speaks about the degrading term used to call Blacks. The word Negro is not a civilized way to refer to African Americans.
             From colored man to Negro,.
             With the N in caps,.
             was like saying Japanese.
             instead of saying Japs.
             The next big step.
             was change for true.
             from Negro in caps.
             to being a Jew.
             (Angelou46).
             This poem is about colored men being called Negro. The negative word Negro is changing it into something positive. "The poem evolved out of historical and political event, merging into new and positive meaning"(Neubauer211). She finds new and positive meaning of Negro to lesson the severity of the word. .
             The second major theme in Maya Angelou's poetry is loneliness. "Alone" is a famous example. Angelou writes this poem at the end of the Vietnam era. The poem reflects how others and herself feel.
             Lying, thinking.
             Last night.
             How to find my soul a home.
             Where water is not thirsty .
             And bread loaf is not stone.
             I came up with one thing.
             And I don't believe I"m wrong.
             That nobody,.
             But nobody.
             Can make it out her Alone.
             (Angelou74).
             Not only does she refer to herself being alone but to others as well. "Verses describe the general alienation if people in the twentieth century" (Neubauer211). There is a sense of loneliness with everyone because lots of people were lost during this war.
             Now if you listen closely.
             I"ll tell you what I know.
             Strom clouds are gathering.
             The wind is gonna blow.


Essays Related to Maya Angelou

1. Maya Angelou

Throughout Maya Angelou's poetry and autobiographies, it is evident that social obstacles and crude stereotypes did not suppress her motivation or desire to succeed in a world where she was initially destined to fail. Throughout her work, she transforms from the meek and insecure Marguerite Johnson in I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings, to the self-confident and intelligent Maya Angelou that is reflected in her book of poems, And Still I Rise. ... (Bloom1 66) In Gather Together, Angelou discusses the drug addiction of her loved ones. ... She describes in her own characteristic spare ma...

  • Word Count: 1347
  • Approx Pages: 5
  • Grade Level: High School

2. Maya Angelou and Fredrick Douglas

Perhaps you've heard Maya Angelou's quotes or read her poems and books. Maya Angelou was an extraordinary person who inspired many people. ... During "A Night with Maya Angelou" at LSU Union Theater, Maya Angelou was asked whether spiritualism had inspired her and Maya replied that spiritualism had indeed inspired her over the years. ... The second point is that both Maya Angelou and Fredrick cared about Church. ... Being religious played a major role in the life and development of Maya Angelou and Fredrick Douglass. ...

  • Word Count: 855
  • Approx Pages: 3

3. Maya Angelou

--Maya Angelou Authoress, poet, playwright, editor, songwriter, singer, teacher, and dancer, Maya Angelou easily fits into all these categories. In the words of one critic, Maya Angelou has touched more bases in her career then many. ... Maya Angelou also writes two Afro-American television specials, "The Legacy" and "The Inheritors". ... Maya Angelou's life, she is very well known and respected. ... Maya Angelou writes what she knows. ...

  • Word Count: 1266
  • Approx Pages: 5
  • Grade Level: High School

4. Graduation by Maya Angelou

In Maya Angelou's "Graduation," she describes her roller coaster of emotions on her 8th grade graduation day. ... Angelou proclaims, "Oh, it was important, all right" (Angelou 22). ... The turning point of Angelou's tale occurred when Mr. ... As Maya Angelou narrates her 8th grade commencement in "Graduation," readers have an in-depth look into Angelou's complicated feelings towards her Negro background. ... Maya Angelou's story reflects perseverance and grace, by ignoring the hatred one can undergo in life, and finding the love you have for yo...

  • Word Count: 1074
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

5. The Adventurous Life of Maya Angelou

Marguerite Ann Johnson, better known as Maya Angelou, was born on the 4th of April 1928 in St Louis, Missouri. ... Some call Maya Angelou a global renaissance woman, and she is certainly one of the most influential women of the 20th century. ... By this time Maya Angelou had worked a string of odd jobs to include, a cook, waitress, pimp and prostitute. ... Maya Angelou began her professional literary career in 1961 working for "The Arab Observer" in Cairo, Egypt as an associate editor. ... Through all the pain and sorrow of her losses, 1968 was a very defining year for Maya Angelou. ...

  • Word Count: 884
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

6. Still I Rise by Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou's poem "Still I Rise," portrays a strong theme of never letting anyone or anything in life bring us down. ... "You may write me down in history With your bitter, twisted lies, You may tread me in the very dirt But still, like dust, I'll rise" In the stanza above Maya Angelou rhymes the words "lies" and "rise" . ... Maya Angelou does an exceptional job of using similes in her poem to make comparisons. ... All through her poem Angelou tells us repetitively to rise. ... In conclusion, Maya Angelou has written this poem to advise readers no...

  • Word Count: 644
  • Approx Pages: 3
  • Grade Level: High School

7. Still I Rise by Maya Angelou

" Still I Rise written by Maya Angelou is an inspirational poem symbolizing defiance and her strength to overcome negative criticism and oppression. ... Maya Angelou utilized figurative imagery to exemplify the sad reality, which was the oppression of African Americans during slavery along with the mistreatment of women. ... Maya Angelou uses multiple types of sound devices to further develop a flow in the poem and set an effective reading technique to add meaning. In conclusion, the poem Still I Rise by Maya Angelou is "the best poem in the world" due to the effective use of ...

  • Word Count: 1250
  • Approx Pages: 5
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: High School

8. Maya Angelou

Maya as so she was called received her pseudonym from her brother Bailey Jr. who preferred "Maya" to "my sister." ... By the time she was in her early twenties, Maya Angelou had been a Creole cook, a streetcar conductor, a cocktail waitress, a dancer, a madam, a tap dancer, a prostitute, and a chauffeurette. ... Angelou's accomplishments rival those of greater acclaim. Maya Angelou is currently Reynolds Professor at Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Caroline since 1981. ... Maya Angelou was among the first African-American women to hit the bestseller lists. ...

  • Word Count: 777
  • Approx Pages: 3
  • Grade Level: High School

9. Wouldn't Take Nothing for My Journey by Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou's book "Wouldn't Take Nothing for My Journey Now" resonates with my thoughts as a professional counsellor always. ... Maya Angelou reflects on life teachings that help people to discover themselves and rejuvenate their energy when faced with issues in their life. ... Angelou also includes parts of her childhood and how it was like in Stamps. ... Angelou emphasized on love in relationships and family. ... Angelou provides insightful remedies to life problems....

  • Word Count: 576
  • Approx Pages: 2
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: High School

10. Maya Angelou - Champion of the World

In "Champion of the World," author Maya Angelou talks about listening to Joe Louis' fight on the radio. ... Angelou wrote "Champion of the World.... Angelou mentioned how all the smirks and grins were gone after Joe Louis got hit. ... Maya Angelou gave details on how everyone was out their seats to see if their "trophy" would get back up off the ropes. ... Angelou showed her readers how important this fight was to her and the people around her. ...

  • Word Count: 790
  • Approx Pages: 3
  • Grade Level: High School

Got a writing question? Ask our professional writer!
Submit My Question