An Analysis of Maya Angelou's Poetry: Empowerment, Self-Acceptance, and Resilience, High school final essays of English

Download An Analysis of Maya Angelou's Poetry: Empowerment, Self-Acceptance, and Resilience and more High school final essays English in PDF only on Docsity! An Analysis of Maya Angelou’s Poetry Submitted to PAUL JAYSON P. TOLEDO In Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements in Literary Criticism College of Teacher Education Misamis Oriental Institute of Science and Technology Submitted by Metchie M. Balusan 3rd Year BSED Major in English January 23, 2024 Note: Their is misalignment of the analysis you wanted to do. You said that you will fiminist but the presented problem are reader response, new criticism and formalism... You need to take note that these analysis are diffirent from each other. ABSTRACT Poetry is a piece of writing written by an author called a poet. Poets carefully choose and arranging language for its meaning, sound and rhythm. The elements of poetry the tools thats poets use when writing poems. Maya Angelou was an American memoirist, poet, and civil right activist. Maya Angelou poems are often reffered to as powerful and inspiring. They touch on themes of Identity, equality,love, and resilience.Some of Maya Angelou famous poem is" I KNOW WHY THE CAGED BIRD SINGS" its published in 199. The book chronicles her life from age 3 through 1, recounting an unsettled and sometimes traumatic childhood that included rape and racism. It follows journey about how Maya navigates a challenging and sometimes traumatic childhood, including experience of racism and sexual abuse. Its a self possesed and dignified young woman who learns to respond to prejudice. Her poem known for its honest and courageous exploration of difficult topics such as identity,racism,rape, and literacy. "PHENOMENAL WOMAN" , Angelou challenges conventional notions of beauty and higlights the inner qualities that make a woman truly phenomenal . She emphasized that beauty is not solely defined by physical appearance or conforming to societal standards. Instead, she asserts that true beauty lies in confidence, self acceptance , and the way woman carries herself. And she expresses that men are captivated by her presence, comparing them to bees swarming around her. Through" PHENOMENAL WOMAN "Maya Angelou celebrates the strenght and resilience of women, encouraging them to embrace their unique qualities and recognize their inherent worth. KEYWORDS: Maya Angelou Poetry, Freedom, Resilience,Empowerment, And Self Acceptence themes such as sexuality, motherhood, identity, and the intersections of gender with other social categories like race, class, and sexuality. The feminist literary approach seeks to foster a more inclusive and equitable understanding of literature. It encourages readers to question and challenge the underlying assumptions and biases within literary works, and it promotes the recognition and celebration of womens voices and experiences. Presentation and Discussion of the Problem 1.Literary Devices The poets uses literary devices are techniques and elements used by the writers to enhance their writing and create a more impactful and engaging reading experience. These devices can be found in various form of literature, including poetry, prose, and drama. They are used to convey meaning, create vivid imagery, evoke emotions, and add depth and complexity to the text. Table 1. List of Literary devices found in the poem presented. Literary Devices Line from the poem Metaphor The caged bird sings with a fearfull trill Oprressed and constrained Personification Heard on the distant hill Imagery Of things unknown but longed for still The caged birds fearful trill and the distant hill Alliteration Fearful trill Pretty women wonder and The curl of my lips Repetition I’m woman/ Phenomally 2. Symbolism Symbolism is a powerful literary device used by poets to convey deeper meanings and evoke emotions. And to allow poets to convey complex ideas , emotions, and themes in a condensed and evocative manner, inviting readers to explore layers of meaning beyond surface of the words. Table 2. List of Symbolism found in the poem Phenomenal Woman SYMBOLISM SYMBOL/ MEANING The bend of my hair The bend of the speakers hair is symbolic of her natural beauty and uniqueness. The palm of my hand The palm of the speakers hand symbolize touch and connection. The need for me The idea that men need the speaker symbolize her emotional and intellectual impact. It goes beyond physical attractiveness ,emphasizing the profound impression she leaves on others. The fire in my eyes The fire in the speakers eyes symbolizes passion, determination , and a lively spirit. 3. THEME The poem of Maya Angelou are mainly about empowerment and self love, encouraging individuals to embrace their unique identities and find strenght in their personal journeys. Through her powerful and evocative verses, Angelou emphasizes the importance of self affirmation, resilience, and the celebration of ones inherent. The poems "I know why caged bird sings" symbolizing the struggle for freedom and resilience required to sing in the face of confinement. Maya Angelou poetry is a testament to the human ability to triumph over adversity, emphasizing the strenght derived from resilience, personal growth , and the collective empowerment of marginalized voices. In Maya Angelou’s poem "PHENOMENAL WOMAN" revolves around self confidence, empowerment, and the celebration of individuality. The speaker in the poem exudes self assurance and embraces her unique qualities, challenging conventional standards of beauty. Through vivid imagery and rhythmic language, Angelou celebrates the speaker’s allure and charisma, emphasizing that true beauty goes beyond physical appearance. The theme encourages readers to appreciate their own distinctiveness and recognize the power of confidence and self love in making someone truly phenomenal. CONCLUSIONS APPENDICES APPENDIX A I know Why the Caged bird sings The caged bird sings With a fearful trill Of things unknown But longed for still And his tune is heard On the distant hill For caged bird Sings of freedom. PHENOMENAL WOMAN A Pretty women wonder where my secret lies. I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size But when I start to tell them, They think I’m telling lies. I say, Its in the reach of my arms, The span of my hips, The stride of my step, The curl of my lips. I’m woman Phenomenally.