A Phenomenal Woman-
Maya Angelou, born, Marguerite Johnson, was sent along with her brother to live with their grandmother in Stamps, Arkansas, when her parents were divorced. Growing up, she learned what it was to be a black girl in a world whose boundaries were set by whites: "As a child she always dreamed of waking to find her 'nappy black hair' metamorphosed to a long blonde bob because she felt life was better for a white girl than for a black girl" (Rigney 45). Despite the odds, her grandmother instilled pride in young Marguerite, with religion as an important element in their home. After five years of being apart from their mother, Marguerite and her brother, Bailey, were sent back to Saint-Louis to be with their mother. This move would change Angelou's life dramatically. While living in Saint Louis, she was raped by her mothers' boyfriend. After which she confided in her brother what had happened, and soon the person was found dead. Young Marguerite believed her voice had killed him this caused her to become mute for nearly five years. Her dysfunctional childhood spent moving back and forth between her mother and grandmother caused her to struggle with maturity. She became determined to prove she was a woman and began to rush toward ma
Angelou is probably the most widely recognized figure of a poet in contemporary U.S. culture. Her work is found on television, in the movies, on the radio, in print, on the Internet, and at the 1993 presidential inauguration. Given this extraordinary career, she also serves as an exemplary figure to women undergoing many difficulties related to domestic violence and sexual abuse. She has been through what they are encountering, and she offers an important message to all of them: "Hold on, Hold on by all means. It will pass. Don't give up; continue to get your work done. And remember, the only thing that doesn't change is change" (Angelou). Angelou's poetry and personal narratives relay a sense of reality for African American people, and especially for black women trying to survive masculine prejudice, and hatred. Her most well known poem "Phenomenal Woman" contains many of her strengths and weaknesses. As noted in the Virginia Quarterly Review, "Its theme--power and depth of women-echoes her own personal history as recounted in the same striking I know why the caged bird sings." "Its refrain -"I'm a woman / Phenomenally. / Phenomenal Woman, / That's me," is made for Angelou's richly textured, dramatic voice" (Virginia Quarterly Review). As Felice Aull states, "in four stanzas, the poet reveals her self-confidence, her graceful rhythm and style, and the inner strength of her femininity" (Aull). Maya Angelou defines phenomenal as "outstanding, and excellent" (Angelou). Currently, Dr. Maya Angelou lectures throughout the United States and abroad and has been named a Reynolds professor of American Studies at Wake Forest University in North Carolina. Maya Angelou continues to be one of the great voices of contemporary literature and a remarkable Renaissance woman. Being a poet, educator, historian, best-selling author, actress, playwright
Some common words found in the essay are:
Maya Angelou, African American, Angelou Maya, Stamps Arkansas, Phenomenal Woman, Saint Louis, Dr Angelou, Quarterly Review, Maya Angelou's, Angelou Readers, maya angelou, phenomenal woman, caged bird sings, african american, woman /, black women, quarterly review, dr angelou, virginia quarterly, caged bird, virginia quarterly review, poem phenomenal woman, woman poem,
Approximate Word count = 1257
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
|
