... it helps readers to understand her work, influences among writers, her writing style applied to I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, her theories about literature and writing, and critical reception of the writers work. Maya Angelou's was an African American, thus shared the totality of meanings, ideas, and beliefs with the black Americans. She also shared the values, norms, and customs of ... her different works and style of writing. Angelou is considered as one of the great voices of contemporary black literature, as well as a remarkable renaissance woman. Angelou relied on black literature...

• Word Count: 1524
• Approx Pages: 6
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... women is all too real. These images can provide clues about the nature of African-American women's experiences within a culture possessing a predominately white perspective. A heightened sensitivity to some of the mythic constructs can be useful in interpreting other textual sources, such as diaries, letters, and literature, as well. These materials are also valuable research tools in that they inevitably ... force the researcher to examine her own notions of African-American women's experiences which ultimately affects the nature of historical inquiry. The societal role of ... breaking ...

• Word Count: 1267
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... never speak again, because my voice would kill anyone." It was when Maya returned to live with her grandmother that she discovered reading, great literature and the endless possibilities of her creativity. The road for her artistic and literary career was paved. In 1940, after graduating with honors from ... this time Maya Angelou had worked a string of odd jobs to include, a cook, waitress, pimp and prostitute. She later met the renowned African American dancer and choreographer Alvin Ailey with whom she formed the unsuccessful dance team ˜Al and Rita'. After her divorce in 1954 Angel...

• Word Count: 884
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... story begins with semi-orphanhood and ends with motherhood. Interpreting her quest for freedom and self-affirmation as representative of that of many African Americans and American women-especially black American women-she presents incidents from her life that illustrate conditions faced by many persons. In her ... types, and patterns of expression. She tells, for example, of bone-weary cotton pickers caught in economic enslavement within the general impoverishment of African Americans; a threat to Uncle Willie's life by the Ku Klux Klan; the complete segregation in Stamps, with its resu...

• Word Count: 1226
• Approx Pages: 5
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... , dancer, actor, playwright, poet, novelist, and civil rights activist. When Angelou returned to the United States after a performances in Ghana while acting, she wrote several screenplays and became the first African-American woman to have a feature film adapted from one of her own stories. In January 1993, she became only the second poet in U.S. History to have the honor of writing ... in 1990, The Legacy Association National Award in 1996, The Humanitarian Contribution Award in 1997, The Alston/Jones International Civil & Human Rights Award in 1998, The Lifetime Achievement Award for ...

• Word Count: 548
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... deemed one of the most controversial, yet influential autobiographical novels of all time. Although somewhat unappreciated by the general public, this work is held to be a classic work of literature despite its taboo themes and figurative language for its time period. The novel will leave a long lasting impression of Angelou that will evermore be embedded into the readers mind. Angelou ... , and its vulgar textual context. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is a story of pride and prejudice. It demonstrates how maintaining a stable character and possessing a strong passion for literature can...

• Word Count: 673
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: Undergraduate