Maya Angelou was an acclaimed African-American writer and poet most famously\ known for her autobiographical writing. She wrote her first piece of literature in her early twenties, and published her first compilation of poems at the age of forty. It is unclear what exactly inspired Angelou to put pen to paper and create her renowned works, however, several factors likely influenced her thoughts and writing.
The tumultuous childhood that Angelou experienced may have been a large contributor to her subsequent writings. Angelou was born in 1928, amidst the turmoil of the Great Depression and the civil rights movement. Growing up, Angelou heard of the controversial topics of unfairness and inequality, which she eventually addressed more directly through her works.
Throughout her life, Angelou experienced a wealth of emotions and situations that no doubt inspired her writing, as she was able to draw from her personal experiences and point-of-view to create truly unique pieces of literature. She had directly experienced poverty, violence, abuse, racism, and all manner of societal struggles – which she eventually used to her power and transformed into impactful and often iconic works.
Another influential factor of Angelou’s success as a poet was her platform as an international figure. Angelou had a variety of podcasts and interviews in several countries, which audiences worldwide could access and learn from. This offered her a circulation and a voice, as Angelou wrote from the perspective of a woman from the minority who was able to make the matters that affected her the subjects of relatable and accessible stories.
While Angelou certainly faced many struggles in her life, she also had the support of her family and her mentors who believed in her craft and encouraged her to improve. This support from her community may have been the underlying factor of her success, as she felt that she could share her stories and experiences as openly as she possibly could.
Angelou drew inspiration from her own lived experiences as well as the larger societal issues she encountered, which allowed her to create emotionally resonant works that we still study, appreciate and learn from today.
Writing Style
Maya Angelou was mostly known for her ability to write in a direct and dynamic way, while also incorporating poetic stylistic devices such as alliteration, metaphor, and personification. She wrote frequently in such ways that dealt with her own perspectives and experiences, as well as bringing to light views from wider society.
Angelou was also an advocate for Black English language and its development, as well as for freedom of speech and thought. She wrote about difficult topics of racism, sexism, and other societal tensions in a way that empathized strongly with her audience. In many of her works, Angelou highlighted the aspects of the African-American struggle and how it manifests in our everyday lives.
Angelou’s work was generally centered around her own experiences and the injustice she encountered throughout her life. This can be seen in her autobiographies which highlighted her life growing up in an African-American family and the racial discrimination and bullying that she had to face. Through these works, Angelou gives a voice to her community and shows that culture, identity, and experience are strongly linked to literary works.
Angelou is also known for her straightforward writing style. Her pieces are often filled with vivid descriptions and beautiful poetic structures, drawing upon her use of language and her personal experiences. She wrote with a great deal of emotion and used her words to show readers the gravity of situations, while also reflecting the hope that can be found in difficult times.
Angelou’s work was often inspired by her personal life and her own experiences. Her writing style often drew upon the traumas she had experienced, making her works highly personal and powerful. This ability to create relatable, honest, and powerful pieces has made representation of the African-American voice in literature much more in-depth and widespread.
Current Day Influence
Maya Angelou has become a powerful and influential figure in today’s world, with her writings serving as an inspiration for many people. Her works have become widely read and taught around the world, and she has often been cited by many prominent figures as an important source of inspiration.
Angelou was constantly pushing boundaries and challenging societal norms with her works. Her writing openly discussed racism, sexism, and other issues which were often overlooked and ignored. She used her own experience and point of view to bring light to the struggles and joys of growing up in an African-American family.
As well as her writings, Angelou has inspired many in her message of equality and acceptance. Her works often focus on the idea that everyone deserves respect and recognition, no matter their race, gender, or other factors. She challenged stereotypes and helped to establish an atmosphere of inclusivity in literature and the general world.
Maya Angelou utilized her position as an international figure to bring attention to important issues and to use her platform to unite people in a shared love of literature. Her work has had an enduring legacy, as her works are still widely read and cited today. Her influence has been so great that she even has a day dedicated to her, International Maya Angelou Day, which is celebrated each year.
Conclusion
Angelou’s works are an example of how powerful stories can be, particularly when it comes to inspiring people to change their views and actions. Through her writings, she has emerged as a role model for many, especially women and people of colour. Angelou’s pieces are both still inspirational and deeply moving, and have helped instigate a wave of social and political change.
