Marguerita Johnson, whose pen name is Maya Angelou, was born in St.com) Although Maya is most commonly known for her work as a poet, she was also an author, playwright, stage and screen producer, director, and singer. (Angelou, 7). .
Throughout Maya's childhood, she moved back and forth, between her mother's house and her grandmother's house. In 1936, during a visit to her mother's house, her mother's boyfriend raped Maya. She was only 8 years old. She was forced to testify against him in court, but a few days before the trial, the defendant was found beaten to death, allegedly by Maya's uncles. Maya took the whole experience very hard, and became mute for five years. She moved back to Stamps Arkansas, which is where she discovered poetry. Poetry is what helped her get over her tragedy. (Biography.com).
Maya had a tough childhood, and an even harder life as an adult. After she had her son, her husband left her. She had to have many different jobs in order to feed her son and herself. They included being a waitress and being a prostitute. In 1947, a white sales clerk was ridiculing Maya, so she started a fight with him. Her grandmother sent her back to live with her mother, because she was afraid there would be an attack by the Ku Klux Klan. (Modern, 219,220) Later in her early adulthood, Maya tried to enlist in the United States Army. She was turned down because her childhood school was suspected to be a training ground for future communists. (Biography.com).
Although Maya's poetry and books are like by many, some people disagree with the fact that her poems and books are published. Many of her writings deal with the role of African Culture in American life. (Biography.com) Many racists believe that she shouldn't be allowed to publish this stuff because they feel it is not important.
Maya's first book, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, "opens with a primal childhood scene that brings into focus the nature of the imprisoning environment from which the self will seek escape.
The Mayas are native people of South Mexico and Central America. ... The ancestors of the Maya crossed the Bering Strait twenty thousand years ago. ... The Mayas made important discoveries in science such as the use of zero in mathematics. ... The written records kept by the Maya provide critical historical information. ... The Maya civilization is far from being over. ...
The Maya culture reached it's height of prosperity in the Late Classics. ... Of all Mesoamerican art and architecture, that of the Late Classic Maya has long been the most admired. ... At the beginning of the Late Classic times, strong regional styles emerged in monumental Maya sculpture. ... This next paragraph will focus on the architecture that was used by the Late Classic Maya. ... Ones again like the Teotihuacán civilization how banish without much trace, we see the Maya take on the same step. ...
The maya The Maya were once considered one of the greatest civilizations in North America. ... The Maya grew Indian corn, or maize. ... When it came to religion, the Maya didn't argue. ... Religion even controlled a ball game the Maya played at night. ... During the post classic period, many civil wars plagued the Maya. ...
--Maya Angelou Authoress, poet, playwright, editor, songwriter, singer, teacher, and dancer, Maya Angelou easily fits into all these categories. In the words of one critic, Maya Angelou has touched more bases in her career then many. ... Maya Angelou's life, she is very well known and respected. ... According to the long time editor, Robert Loomis, "Maya is her books." ... Maya Angelou writes what she knows. ...
By making Maya go to school she fuels Maya's thirst for education. ... Maya's mother's boyfriend, Mr. Freedman is the worst influence on Maya. ... She shows this best when Maya becomes pregnant. When Maya tells her mother the news she accepts it and supports Maya. ...
When Maya was eight years old, Mr. Freeman had sexually molested Maya. When Maya's mother found out what happened, she took her to the ER. ... Maya had some doubts that she might be a lesbian. ... " Maya Angelou used the cage to symbolize race. ...
The Maya are an ancient civilization, which dominated the vast area currently entitled Central America and Mexico. ... The ancient Maya of the Yucatan considered cenotes (pools and cave rivers), a sacred entrance to the underworld. ... Often, when drought, war or other dangers threatened, the Maya would engage in body piercing and collect ones blood on parchment and burn it as an offering. ... The Maya believe both of these animals to be of the supernatural, and thus are the symbols of death. ... Perhaps the most impressive and intriguing of all is the account itself, which is the revival ...
After his trial, followed by his murder, Maya goes into her own personal seclusion and doesn't speak for years. ... (Bloom3 41) By the end of Caged Bird, Maya is still nave in many ways but she overcame the hardships that were handed to her early on in life. ... (Bloom3 81) Maya's second autobiography, Gather Together In My Name is more harsh and gritty than Caged Bird. ... (Bloom1 40) Also in Gather Together In My Name, Maya struggles in keeping a steady job to support her son. ... Maya's first collection of poetry, Just Give Me A Cool Drink Of Water Fore' I Dii...
In the novel "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings", Maya Angelou has reconstructed her personal history into this autobiographical tale whose protagonist is the child narrator, Maya. ... In actuality the presents upset Maya and Bailey more than they pleased them. ... This is yet another event that heightens Maya's feelings of disconnectedness. ... Unfortunately, Maya mistook Freeman's sexual advances as fatherly love, and eventually he rapes her, destroying any of Maya's feeling of belonging and self-worth. ... (Pg Fortunately, Maya is rescued by the kindness of Mrs. ...
