Feminism and Women Empowerment Feminism was and still to this day a controversial topic among many. Back in the mid-1900s, the idea of feminism did not cross the minds of society. During this time, women's rights were still trying to be finalized, and many living in that time period had various opinions about them. One woman, brought tremendous awareness to the idea of feminism and women’s rights. Maya Angelou was born in St. Louis, Missouri on April 4th, 1928. Her past and childhood was known to mold her writing style and beliefs. At eight, Angelou was raped by her mother’s boyfriend, which took a toll on her self confidence and image. Her early life was filled with many challenges as well, bouncing from one job to another, homelessness,
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It was said to capture “the essence of womanhood and at the same time describes the many talents of the poet herself” (Neubauer). The poem is based around women empowerment and feminism, which were topics that needed to be advocated during the mid-1900s, and even now. She expresses her ideas about them throughout the poem. In it, she states, “It’s the fire in my eyes, and the flash of my teeth; the swing in my hips, and joy in my feet. I am a woman, phenomenally” (Poetry Foundations). This quote shows the power women have, showing the intensity and determination in their eyes, and the confidence they have in the world. During that time period especially, women were not seen to have power. Many times, all society saw them to be was housewives and mothers. Even today, women are still looked at differently because they are women. This quote changes that perspective completely. It shows how women do have that power and confidence, and that dignity is carried because of …show more content…
These topics were known to come from her past experiences and strong advocacy for them. Throughout the poem, Angelou brings tremendous awareness to the idea of feminism and women’s rights during a time period when these topics were especially looked down upon. She also not only shows the power and value of women, but also their beauty in her writing. Like one critic said, the poem shows women’s beauty and force in the world. Angelou’s lines show this throughout the poem as well. She emphasizes all these qualities that make a woman extraordinary. Just like the poem she wrote, Maya Angelou was a phenomenal woman
It was said to capture “the essence of womanhood and at the same time describes the many talents of the poet herself” (Neubauer). The poem is based around women empowerment and feminism, which were topics that needed to be advocated during the mid-1900s, and even now. She expresses her ideas about them throughout the poem. In it, she states, “It’s the fire in my eyes, and the flash of my teeth; the swing in my hips, and joy in my feet. I am a woman, phenomenally” (Poetry Foundations). This quote shows the power women have, showing the intensity and determination in their eyes, and the confidence they have in the world. During that time period especially, women were not seen to have power. Many times, all society saw them to be was housewives and mothers. Even today, women are still looked at differently because they are women. This quote changes that perspective completely. It shows how women do have that power and confidence, and that dignity is carried because of …show more content…
These topics were known to come from her past experiences and strong advocacy for them. Throughout the poem, Angelou brings tremendous awareness to the idea of feminism and women’s rights during a time period when these topics were especially looked down upon. She also not only shows the power and value of women, but also their beauty in her writing. Like one critic said, the poem shows women’s beauty and force in the world. Angelou’s lines show this throughout the poem as well. She emphasizes all these qualities that make a woman extraordinary. Just like the poem she wrote, Maya Angelou was a phenomenal woman