Maya Angelou And Her Influences
Maya Angelou was a world-renowned poet, novelist, actress and civil rights activist. Throughout her life, she was influenced by many different sources that helped shape her into the writer and person she became. To name just a few, Angelou was influenced by her musical upbringing, her travels, her mother’s teachings, her activism and her spirituality.
Angelou was exposed to music at an early age. As she sang in her childhood church choir in Arkansas, it was here that she was first inspired to write poetry and lyrics for spiritual songs. From this early experience she gained confidence in her own voice and developed a profound respect for music which would later be reflected in her literary works.
Angelou’s travels around the world had a major influence on her personal development, her writing, and her beliefs. Through her experiences visiting many different countries, she was able to learn first-hand about different cultures, customs and philosophies. This, in turn, helped her craft her signature writing style, which, since its publication in 1949, has had a widespread influence on generations of later writers.
Angelou also learned valuable life lessons from her mother, Vivian Baxter. Baxter instilled in her a strong sense of self-worth and encouraged her to pursue her dreams of becoming a writer. Her mother’s teachings included the need for perseverance, self-discipline and the importance of a strong education. Although Baxter passed away when Angelou was still young, the impact her mother had on her lasted her entire life and served as a major influence in her path to becoming a champion for civil rights around the world.
Angelou’s involvement in civil rights activism was also a great influence on her writing. She was an active member in the Civil Rights Movement and was an empowered speaker for numerous organizations throughout the late 1960s. Through her activism, Angelou witnessed and reported on the tumultuous events of the era and her writings were often used to educate the public and further fight for civil rights.
In addition to her professional pursuits, Angelou was also deeply spiritual. Growing up in the rural South, she was heavily influenced by the larger Christian church, particularly her upbringing in a Baptist church. Her spirituality often informed her writings and served as inspiration in her works.
Maya Angelou’s Writing Style
Maya Angelou was an acclaimed poet, novelist, actress and civil rights activist whose writings were some of the most celebrated of the twentieth century. Her unique writing style was informed by her experiences growing up in the rural South, her expansive travels, her mother’s teachings, her activism, and her spirituality.
At the heart of Angelou’s writing is her lyrical style, which conveys powerful messages through incantatory language. This poetic style was a product of her early days singing in the church, being introduced to classical texts, writing songs and playing with sounds. This, in turn, inspired her to compose her own works, encompassing topics that ranged from the personal to the political.
Her life experiences and travels around the world also informed her writing. By experiencing different cultures and beliefs firsthand, she was able to incorporate her own interpretations of customs into her stories. Through her works, Angelou shares stories of those she encountered in her travels and was an advocate for the diverse range of cultures that she experienced.
Angelou was able to take experiences from her own life, as well as those of the people around her, and turn them into literary works. Her stories often contained lasting and poignant messages that, when shared with readers, allowed the audience to become a part of her life journey and come away with newfound knowledge or insight.
At the same time, her writing featured fierce messaging against racism and injustice. Growing up in the segregated South and being involved in the Civil Rights Movement sharpened her focus on the ongoing struggle to fight for equality. This passion to fight for social justice was experienced through her writing and proved to be an important source of power and inspiration for her audience.
The combined elements of Angelou’s writing– the lyricism, the personal insights, and the passionate protests– unite to form her unique style and make her work an enduring legacy.
Maya Angelou’s Legacy
Maya Angelou’s life and writings continue to be highly regarded among writers, readers and scholars across the world. Her writings have earned her numerous awards and honors, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the National Medal of the Arts. Her continued legacy is a testament to the power of her writing and her commitment to advocating for equality and justice.
Today, Angelou’s works continue to be appreciated for their lyrical form, the quiet yet persistent messages of resistance to racism and injustice, and the timeless insights into the human experience. With her works, she was able to transport readers to a world of hope, sorrow, joy and struggle that serves as a reminder of the power of the written word.
The influence of her writing extends beyond her own body of work. Angelou has inspired numerous contemporary authors and poets to follow their own passions and carry on her tradition of writing powerful stories. Angelou’s enduring message of resilience, perseverance and faith in the face of adversity is carried on through her works and remain relevant today.
The life and writings of Maya Angelou will continue to have an enduring impact for generations to come as she serves as an eternal reminder of the importance of diverse voices, the power of literature, and the strength of the human spirit.
Conclusion
Maya Angelou was a highly renowned poet, novelist, actress, and civil rights activist whose writings were greatly inspired by her upbringing in the rural South, her expansive travels, her mother’s teachings, her activism, and her spirituality. Her lyrical style, powerful messages, and commitment to social justice continue to resonate with readers today and serve as a reminder to celebrate the written word and extend a hand of empathy and understanding to those of all cultures. Angelou’s works and legacy will forever remain an inspiration to writers, readers, and activists alike.
