

Maya Angelou Essay

553 words - 2 pages

Maya Angelou was born April 4, 1928. Her real name is Marguerite
Johnson, but she later changed it to Maya. She was born in St.
Louis, shortly after her birth her family up and move to
Arkansaw. Maya grew up there in the rural parts of Arkansaw, and
later married to a South African Freedom Fighter. She lived in
Cairo with him, there she began her career as editor of the Arab
Observer. At the request of Dr. Martin Lutheran King Jr., she
became the northern coordinator for the Southern Christian
Leadership Conference in 1975. Maya is presently on the board of
American Film Institute, and is one of the few female members of
the board of the Directors Guide. (Source card #5)
     Besides being a writer she is also an actress, historian,
and playwright. She speaks French, Spanish, Italian, and West
African Fanti. Maya had a career in drama and dance. She had
ten best-selling books published and was in a number of magazine
articles. Maya was among the first African-American women to hit
the best sellers list with "I know why the caged bird sings."
(Source card #2)
     Maya Angelou is a poet, historian, author, actress,
playwright, civil rights, activist, producer and director. Maya
published ten best-selling books. Maya Angelou is more than just
another famous woman, she is a role model and inspiration to the
world. Her simple motto, "I am human and nothing human can be
alien to me" is a statement related to love. This simple
sentence touched many a people. Love each other, that is what
Player pg. 2

her life is about. "The honorary duty of a human being is to
love, and love I will," Maya Angelou said, quoting from her work.
(Source card #3)
     Maya Angelou gave hope to the hopeless and inspiration to
the world. Through her poems and stories she has made us realize
the role we play, or rather need to start playing. She made a
lot of people get up off there...

Find Another Essay On Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou Essay

908 words - 4 pages humble despite or perhaps in commemoration of her age. Her name is Maya Angelou. On the fourth day of the fourth month, under the sign of the ram in 1928, an infant girl was born. She was given the name Marguerite Ann Johnson and under this name she would travel the world acquire skills and nurture talents that would one day earn her the reputation of being a renaissance woman of global renown (Maya 1). In contrast to the renown and glory she would

Maya Angelou Essay

1488 words - 6 pages Maya Angelou, more formally known as Marguerite Ann Johnson was born on April 4th, 1928 in St. Louis, Missouri. She was the child of Bailey Johnson and Vivian Baxter Johnson. When Maya was three years old, her parents got divorced. After they divorced, she and her older brother, Bailey Jr., were sent to live with their grandmother in Stamps, Arkansas. They were not sent in a normal fashion, however. Angelou and her brother were placed on a

Maya Angelou

1211 words - 5 pages Maya Angelou is a phenomenal woman. She was born into a devastating decade, that suffered numerous tragedies. Not only had society shaped her as a woman, she has also shaped our society and influenced many lives. She is still living today, yet I believe her legend will never die. Furthermore I will share with you what motivated her and some of her gratifying experiences. How she was effected by society, and what she did about it. Also how the

Maya Angelou

2160 words - 9 pages The book I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is the 1969 autobiography about the early years of writer and poet Maya Angelou. It is the first of six volumes about Maya’s life and the hardships she faced growing up and even in adulthood. This book covers the years from the early 1930's, up until about 1970. Out of the six, it is probably the most popular and critically acclaimed volume, it is a coming-of-age story that illustrates how strength of

Maya Angelou - 774 words

774 words - 3 pages Maya Angelou could have been writing her poem, "These Yet to be United States," with many different motives or messages. This work leaves the reader open to many different interpretations and viewpoints. The many underlying tones and possible themes that are implied by certain descriptions get the reader looking deeper into the true meaning of the poem. The main focus, however, is on the United States as a whole, the dominance of the government

maya Angelou

1166 words - 5 pages 09/19/2014Maya Angelou - GraduationGraduation is an important transition time in every person's life. It is aboutmoving on to something better and more important and to use your knowledge toachieve life goals. This is what the children attending the grammar school believed aswell, including Maya Angelou. Given from her point of view, the story Graduation hasethos because as an African American girl, she shared the same thoughts and feelingsas

Maya Angelou - 703 words

703 words - 3 pages THE GREATEST TEXT I have read other poems in the past but the poemStill I Rise by Maya Angelou is the greatest text in my opinion. I justify this by saying that it has made the greatest impact in my life. It is a poem by a woman that is beyond is noble. It is not only an inspiration to me but to other women in the world. When I read this a wonderful feeling comes over me.I can remember when I was younger sitting in my old classroom. The walls

Maya Angelou Poem Analysis

1011 words - 5 pages Poems are a way of expressing the feelings and emotions that the writer chooses to describe, usually using symbolic objects and comparing it to another thing using figurative language. There were many poets that came and went throughout history and there are still a lot today, one of which really caught my attention and her name is Maya Angelou. Maya Angelou is a very astounding poet with her 166 poems, but one really stood out to me and that

Maya Angelou Poetry

1117 words - 5 pages Maya Angelou is considered by many to be the foremost poet of her age. While the themes of her literature are largely connected, her delivery is varied. In her poetry, she has used wit, sarcasm, imagery, and diverse rhythm. Angelou has used these techniques and the recognition it has provided for her, to fight for the civil rights of African Americans and women. After examining the life of Maya Angelou, it is easy to see that much of her work

Life of Maya Angelou

1273 words - 5 pages Maya the poet, the author, the play-write, actress, mother, civil rights activist, historian, director, producer; Maya the Genius. Maya Angelou is the ultimate Renaissance woman and is one of the great voices of contemporary literature ( She is also one of the most influential African-Americans in American history. Through my research and readings about Maya I have come to the conclusion that she is an American genius. Maya has

Maya Angelou Child Hood

778 words - 3 pages Maya Angelou- Phenomenal Woman Childhood Marguerite Johnson was born on April 4,1928. Her parents, Baily and Vivian were married, but there relationship had never really been a strong one. After their divorce, Maya and her older brother, Baily, named after her father, were soon sent to live with their grandmother in Stamps, Arkansas.After seven years, although their grandmother was very paternal toward them, the children felt a longing for their

Similar Essays

Maya Angelou! Essay

2424 words - 10 pages Born to a decaying marriage and unstable household, Maya Angelou thrills her poetic intentions through her dominant and eloquent words. Maya Angelou, center of mysterious and descendants of the broken, like a champion, she rose out of the ashes and into the lights of the stage. An American author and artist who has been called “America’s most visible black female autobiographer” by dozens of people, has made remarkable recognitions all

Maya Angelou Essay 954 Words

954 words - 4 pages Angelou (Lupton 51). Her critically acclaimed works have changed the way of the African American autobiography is written. Angelou well known as an entertainer was urged by James Baldwin and by the cartoonist Jules fifer and his wife Judy to try her hand at writing an autobiography. After several refuels she agreed the results was a unique series of autobiographical narratives. I know why the caged bird sings is the first of Maya Angelous's five

Maya Angelou Essay 1961 Words

1961 words - 8 pages The feeling of displacement leaves a painful hole in one's heart. Whether a person is a male or female, white or black, lives in the North or South, or young or old, displacement takes a toll on their character and personality. Maya Angelou creates a theme of displacement in her novel I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. Angelou's novel has been critiqued by many notable scholars for being a classic autobiography. The critics note the importance of

Maya Angelou Essay

1867 words - 7 pages Her life was never easy. From the time she was born, Maya Angelou was subjected to racism, rape, grief and dehumanization. She beared enough emotional stress in a time frame that most people don't experience in a lifetime. Yet she prevailed. She forced herself to become stronger. And in doing so, she produced writings, which in turn, helped others to become strong. Her experiences and the lessons learned gave her confidence to be a teacher