A renowned writer, poet, dancer, singer, actor, friend, and Civil Rights activist, Maya Angelou was a prominent and undoubtedly successful figure throughout the second half of the twentieth century. With many successes throughout her lifetime, Angelou is known for her poem I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings as well as her contributions to the Civil Rights movement. However, many events and people contributed to Angelou’s works and art style. Commonly labeled as a “Renaissance Woman,” Maya Angelou conquered and achieved much in literature, art, and politics during her life (Academy of Achievement, 2014).
Maya Angelou was born on April 4th, 1928 in St. Louis, Missouri. A few years after her birth, Angelou’s parents divorced and she and her brother, …show more content…
This poem, written in 2003, includes themes of self-worth and projection of confidence. The line “still I rise,” is repeated on several accounts. Angelou writes, “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.” I think these lines are very empowering and show that even though Angelou may be pushed away or rejected from others, she will never doubt her self-worth because of it. She also writes, “Did you want to see me broken?/Bowed head and lowered eyes?” meaning to ask if the speaker of these words/actions expects her to be ashamed and/or put down by the attack. These themes persist throughout the poem, and in conclusion, Angelou writes about becoming the new face of history, stating that she is “Leaving behind nights of terror and fear (I rise)/Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear (I rise)/Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,/I am the dream and the hope of the slave.” This statement has a powerful impact, as she implies that though there is pain in history (particularly slavery/racial discrimination), she, and anyone for that matter, is or can be the face of change and can welcome a brighter future for
Maya Angelou was born on April 4th, 1928 in St. Louis, Missouri. A few years after her birth, Angelou’s parents divorced and she and her brother, …show more content…
This poem, written in 2003, includes themes of self-worth and projection of confidence. The line “still I rise,” is repeated on several accounts. Angelou writes, “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.” I think these lines are very empowering and show that even though Angelou may be pushed away or rejected from others, she will never doubt her self-worth because of it. She also writes, “Did you want to see me broken?/Bowed head and lowered eyes?” meaning to ask if the speaker of these words/actions expects her to be ashamed and/or put down by the attack. These themes persist throughout the poem, and in conclusion, Angelou writes about becoming the new face of history, stating that she is “Leaving behind nights of terror and fear (I rise)/Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear (I rise)/Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,/I am the dream and the hope of the slave.” This statement has a powerful impact, as she implies that though there is pain in history (particularly slavery/racial discrimination), she, and anyone for that matter, is or can be the face of change and can welcome a brighter future for