Maya Angelou was an incredible figure of American literature, who, among many accomplishments, authored seven autobiographical books, a variety of poems and plays, and almost three dozen children’s books. Her life was full of seismic shifts – from growing up in the segregated south, experiencing abuse and oppression at a young age, to surviving poverty, only to eventually become a celebrity, an educator, and a mentor for generations to come. But one major facet of Maya Angelou’s life has remained largely overlooked: her Christianity.
What kind of Christian was Maya Angelou? Her faith was shaped as much by her personal experiences as by her cultural Christian upbringing. Born in Arkansas, of all places, she was immersed in the southern Baptist church culture and attended church with her grandmother. She was baptized at the age of 13 in 1940, but the exact denomination or faith she was baptized into is unknown. Despite her agnosticism following a mass, public humiliation at the age of 8, Maya Angelou re-embraced her faith – now a Church of God in Christ elder – at the age of 43, and wrote extensively and passionately about her Christianity in her autobiographies.
Her Christian faith is intertwined with the struggles she faced in her lifetime, from the traumatic rape of a family friend at 8, to her mother’s suicide attempt, to her experience living in poverty in Ghana – all of which led her to a journey for truth and self-reliance. Writing and education were instrumental in her process, leading her from nihilism, to a spiritual center of self-discovery, and finally to her faith. It was a faith that demonstrated its resilience in her poetry, essays, essays, and in her own personal life.
This manifestation of faith is reflected in her poetry as well – with themes of spiritual reckoning that reflect the struggles of overcoming a difficult past and those ever-looming religious questions. In her work, she draws on an incredibly diverse set of sources to express her ideas, including the Bible, African spiritual traditions, and modern thought. These components of faith served to create unique expressions of the Christian faith in her writing.
Maya Angelou’s faith is lodged deeply in her tumultuous past, as well as her pursuit of self-reliance and acts of self-expression. But it was not simply a faith of resignation, but one of triumph. Her faith shaped her life in the face of hardships, and inspired her to use her life for the cause of social justice around the world. Ultimately, it is difficult to summarize Maya Angelou’s Christianity in a few words – neither emotionally, spiritually, nor intellectually. And any attempt at doing so would be a disservice.
It’s Role In Her Life
The role of faith in Maya Angelou’s life was immense. She experienced many difficult days, both prior to and following the period she embraced her faith. Despite this, she kept faith in her life and allowed it to guide her decisions. As Maya Angelou expressed time and time again, “When you know better, you do better,” and faith was a major component in knowing better. As a result, she was able to do more and truly find her purpose in life.
Maya Angelou’s faith served as a source of inspiration and comfort during her struggles. She was able to draw strength and guidance from her faith throughout her life. She was never afraid to ask questions about her faith and she found the answers that resonated with her the most. In the darkest days of her life, she was able to find comfort by relying on her faith. She was able to combine the teachings of the Bible with her own experiences in order to gain a better understanding of her own life.
The role of faith in Maya Angelou’s life was also evident in the choices she made. She chose a life of service to others, and this was due in large part to her Christian beliefs. She believed strongly in serving, in helping others, and in making a difference in the world. As a result, her mission in life was to make the world a better place. She accomplished this through her writing, her teaching, and her activism. Her faith guided her to use her power and status to speak out against injustices and to create positive change.
Maya Angelou’s faith also served as a source of hope for her. Even when faced with adversity and tragedy, she held on to hope. She believed that even in the worst of times, there was still a way for her to move forward and to find happiness and peace. Her faith allowed her to reach out to the world with the assurance that things would get better and that good would ultimately triumph over evil.
Ultimately, Maya Angelou’s faith played an integral role in her life. It was a source of strength, inspiration, guidance, hope, and anguish. It helped her to find her place in the world and to make a difference. Her faith was a source of comfort and a reminder of the importance of helping others and fighting for justice. The influence of her faith can be seen in her many accomplishments and her dedication to her life’s mission.
Influence Of Christianity On Her Work
Maya Angelou’s faith played a key role in her work as an artist. Though her work was incredibly diverse, varying from autobiographies to poems, each work exhibited the influence of Christianity in one way or another. Her spiritual struggles were put into words several times throughout her works, which often left readers feeling empowered, restored, and encouraged. The influence of Christianity was often found in her free verse poetry style, her strong imagery, and often in her book titles.
In her writing, Maya Angelou often used free verse poetry to express her religious sentimentsas she felt this form best encapsulated her thoughts or served as a response to a particular situation. The imagery used in her poetic works also served to illustrate Christianity in a new way, shedding light on the complexities of the Christian faith. Readers, both religious and non-religious, felt able to relate to the mental cage she spoke of and found enlightenment in the stories she told. Maya Angelou’s writings often spoke of the struggles of struggling with faith, of trying to reconcile what one is taught with what one believes to be true.
The titles of her books also served as an indication of Maya Angelou’s faith. For instance, her autobiographical piece I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings referenced an old spiritual of hers, while the title of her first collection of poetry, Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water’Fore I Die tackles one of the final words asked of Jesus Christ.
Maya Angelou’s faith played a prominent role in her work. It was at the root of many of her poetic works and her autobiographical pieces, as well as in other aspects such as title choices. The influence of Christianity in her works often served to discuss the relevant and universal themes of religion, such as struggle and triumph.
Scriptural Allusions
Maya Angelou’s work is filled with scriptural allusions. She often drew from distant biblical texts to make sense of her own life. One example of this comes from her poem “Still I Rise.” In this poem, Angelou draws from Corinthians 15:51-52, where Paul is talking about how he and his family will be resurrected into new life. Angelou uses this passage in the poem to illustrate how she too was able to rise above her struggles and find something new and meaningful.
Another example of scriptural allusions can be found in her book, Gather Together in My Name. In this book, Angelou relies heavily on the Christian Bible, citing passages from the New Testament. She often applied these passages to her own experiences to show how these biblical stories held importance and relevance in her own specific circumstances.
In her poem, “A Brave and Startling Truth,” Angelou draws from Luke 4:18, which is about Jesus’s mission to proclaim repentance and forgiveness of sins. In this poem, Angelou takes this passage and applies it to the struggles of modern society, using the words from the Bible to illustrate the need for change. Angelou also alludes to Isaiah 40:31 in the poem, which talks about those who are weary in heart finding strength.
Maya Angelou’s work is filled with scriptural allusions. Her Christianity was a major component of her work, and these allusions revealed themselves in both her poetry and her autobiographical pieces. Her references to Bible passages enabled her to make her work more accessible and to bring her own personal stories to life. Angelou used these allusions to encourage her readers and to provide them with a sense of hope and understanding.
Legacy
Maya Angelou left behind a legacy that was deeply rooted in her faith. Her work serves as a testament to her Christianity and her commitment to her beliefs. Even today, her poetry serves as an inspiration, providing hope and guidance for those who read it. She has become a role model for readers, demonstrating that it is possible to break down the barriers that come with faith and to use one’s own experiences to inform their beliefs.
The legacy of Maya Angelou’s faith has also been carried on through the work of her sons and other relatives. Angelou’s sons are both involved in the Christian faith, with one being a pastor, and the other being a songwriter and composer. They both use their music as a way to spread their faith and express their beliefs. In a way, they are continuing their mother’s legacy and carrying on her passion for Christian things.
Maya Angelou’s faith, however, has also been carried on in other parts of the world, including Africa and the Caribbean. Many of Angelou’s books were translated into various languages, allowing readers from different backgrounds to connect with her words and have an understanding of what she was trying to express about her own faith. Thus, her faith and her work have been spread far and wide, influencing people in all parts of the world.
Maya Angelou’s faith has left a lasting legacy, both in her own life and in the lives of those she touched. Her commitment to her Christian beliefs guided her throughout her life and enabled her to use her life to make a difference. Her impact went beyond the United States, as her work was shared across cultures, impacting and inspiring people all over the world.
Conclusion
Maya Angelou was an incredible figure of American literature and faith. Her life was full of seismic shifts, but her Christianity stayed with her throughout her life. This faith was intertwined with her struggles, forming her unique expressions in her work. Her faith was evident in her lifetime decisions, her writing, and the titles of her books. Scriptural allusions were heavily present in her work and they provided a sense of hope and understanding. Maya Angelou’s faith has left a lasting legacy, inspiring readers and writers alike. Ultimately, her Christianity allowed her to make her mark on this world and make a difference.
