In 1969 segregation and racism were separating the people of America‚ not only physically but also emotionally. “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings‚” written by Maya Angelou‚ captured the separation and unfairness of society. This poem is an accurate representation of the pain and hardship of the African American community. Marguerite Ann Johnson‚ now known as Maya Angelou‚ was born on April 4‚ 1928 in St. Louis Missouri. She was a civil rights activist as seen in many of her poems. Angelou experienced
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Both’’ I know why the caged bird sings’’ and’’ The Rose who grew from concrete’’ reflect on the subject of hope. Despite the similarities the subjects used by the poets to demonstrate the themes are quite different. Whereas in the first poem‚’’ The rose who grew from concrete to represent hope in an impossible situation. In I know why the caged bird sings the poet uses the Bird’s point of view to represent hope in a hopeless setting. This essay will analyze the similarities and differences in’’ I know
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Why You Wanna Fly‚ Blackbird? When people go through such a traumatic experience life becomes so difficult for them to express themselves and be understood by society. Maya Angelou‚ for instance‚ is a “caged bird” who has been unable to express herself to others. Maya is adjusting to her surroundings that can be interpreted by her use of metaphors and symbolism. Her use of metaphors and symbols has allowed for her to gain confidence and change her ability to no longer be a caged bird‚ but a free
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(Angelou and Tate‚ 3). Angelou’s American Dream is articulated throughout her five part autobiographical novels; I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings‚ Gather Together in my Name‚ Singin’ and Swingin’ and Getting’ Merry Like Christmas‚ The Heart of a Woman‚ and All God’s Children Need Traveling Shoes. Maya Angelou’s American Dream changed throughout her life: in I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings Maya’s American dream was to fit into a predominantly white society in small town Arkansas‚ she dreamed of one
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Literature 24 February 2015 Maya Angelou “I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refused to be reduced by it.” This quote by Maya Angelou gives women insight on how to overcome difficult situations in their lives. Maya Angelou is known for women empowerment and feminism. Some of her most famous works including phenomenal women teaches many women how to love themselves the way they are. Within her most famous autobiography I know why the Caged Bird Sings‚ Angelou includes many independent and
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Presley English Composition Dr. Philip Underwood October 21‚ 2013 My favorite celebrity I’m writing my essay on is Maya Angelou. The reason why I’ve chosen her as my favorite celebrity is that she has given us the greatness of poems. Her poem’s to me is so remarkable. My favorite poem is “Still I Rise”. This poem is so influential to me because the poem is so powerful. The thing I am going to discuss about Maya Angelou is her childhood‚ career beginnings‚ later successes‚ and her personal
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works: “Caged Bird” and “Still I Rise”. Critics believe that the main focus on these two poems is reflected on African American history. They go much deeper. These two poems reflect her life story as well‚ which is why so many people are attached or emotionally drawn to her work. I truly believe that Maya Angelou wrote these two poems because of the personal experiences she encountered in her life. Critics mainly believe that the poem “Caged Bird” speaks of slavery. They say that the caged bird
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Maya Angelou: Rising Above Social Struggles Author of an autobiographical series‚ countless essays and stirring poems‚ a civil rights activist‚ dedicated actor and producer‚ skillful dancer and singer‚ and great cook‚ Maya Angelou is an inspiration to every person‚ regardless of his age‚ gender‚ race‚ or status in life. Maya Angelou‚ an African-American‚ was born in St. Louis‚ Missouri‚ but was sent to Stamps‚ Arkansas‚ with her brother Bailey‚ to live with their grandmother (King 5). During her
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finished high school then gave birth to her son Guy at age 16‚ a few weeks after graduation. In the late 1950s‚ Maya began working with the Harlem Writer’s Guild and with the counseling of her friend‚ James Baldwin‚ she began working on I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. Lots of trouble came with that piece of literature back then‚ due to Maya’s honesty about being sexually assaulted at a young age. In 1954 and 1955‚ Maya toured Europe with the opera Porgy and Bess. She also studied Modern dance with
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Maya Angelou Maya Angelou paved the way for many of today’s black poets. She is famous for her poems and series of autobiographies. Angelou has had an interesting life filled with many accomplishments. Maya Angelou was born as Marguerite Johnson on April 4‚ 1928‚ in St. Louis‚ Missouri. (Encyclopedia of World Biography‚ 2nd Ed.) Her parents divorced when she was 3‚ she then lived with her mother. (Shaw‚ Taylor) At age 8 her mother’s boyfriend‚ Mr. Freeman‚ raped her. Angelou hid her dirty
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