Maya Angelou was one of the most well-known American poets and powerful literary voices of modern times. Her writing career began at the age of 16, and her first book, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, was published in 1970. She remained an influential figure throughout her lifetime, and her legacy was most notably expressed through her writing.
When asked in interviews what inspired her writing, Maya Angelou often credited a deep-rooted love of literature. She was an avid reader, and was exposed to great works of literature during her formative years. In her early adulthood, Angelou immersed herself in the works of authors such as W. E. B. Du Bois, Langston Hughes, and T. S. Eliot. Moreover, Angelou found inspiration in her own life experiences, and she often wrote poetry in response to those experiences.
Angelou’s poem “Still I Rise” became an inspirational beacon to readers, particularly those who had been marginalized by society. In interviews, Angelou often spoke about her own inspirational journey, and credited her resilient spirit as the fuel for her writing. Through her work, Angelou was able to articulate the strength and power of the human spirit, and offered hope for those facing difficult challenges.
Additionally, Angelou’s writing was often influenced by her faith. Though she embraced many spiritual beliefs, Angelou was most notably a Christian and felt empowered by her faith. In her writing, Angelou often explored the concept of redemption, and offered an important message of love and hope through her work. Her faith served as a major source of inspiration throughout her writing career.
Angelou defines much of her writing as autobiography, as it serves as a reflective tool to document her own personal journey. According to Angelou, her work often serves as a tribute to the past – as she once said: “I write for myself and strangers.” In her writing, Angelou offered insight for readers on topics such as resilience, redemption and love. She wrote to inspire, to encourage, and to leave behind a legacy that would live on through her words.
Hope and Resilience
Angelou’s writing is a testament to her unwavering hope and belief in resilience. Through her writing, she is able to share the profound yet simple message of never giving up no matter the circumstances. She writes in her famous poem, “Still I Rise”, “You may shoot me with your words, / You may cut me with your eyes, / You may kill me with your hatefulness, / But still, like air, I’ll rise.” Angelou was able to capture a universal hope and optimism, communicating that no matter the level of hate, pain, and suffering; one can still rise above these forces, even if only in spirit.
Angelou channels her battle with life’s hardships in her writing, and understanding the resiliency of life, we can appreciate and respect her work in an even greater way. Through sharing her own struggles, she is encouraging and inspiring others to keep going in their own life stories. Each poem, quip and story she wrote was crafted with her own life experiences, often crafted with pain, but ultimately presenting the resiliency of life and of the human spirit.
A Source of Inspiration
Angelou’s work is a reminder of the power that can exist in difficult moments. Many of Angelou’s poems are realistic reflections of her life, opening a window into the thoughts and emotions that shaped her as an individual. This can be seen in her poem, “Still I Rise” where she talks of overcoming obstacles as a result of her strong and resilient spirit. This poem became an anthem of resilience, a mantra of hope, and a promise of inner strength.
In her work, readers can not only identify with the struggles that Angelou faced, but also the strength that was birthed from those same experiences. Her writing speaks to the multifaceted power of resilience in our lives and offers a fragment of solace to individuals who are confronted with daily struggles. Angelou often wrote about those moments of discouragement, acknowledging the strength we all possess to overcome those moments.
A Reminder of Healing and Beauty
For Angelou, writing was therapy. With her words, she found solace and comfort in moments of fear and confusion. Angelou shares her personal story in her writing, offering readers a touching look into relationships and life’s more difficult moments. Through writing, she was able to buoy her spirit and remind herself of the healing and beauty that surrounded her.
Angelou’s writing captures moments of beauty, creating a safe space for individuals to confront the world and find the courage to keep going. In her work, we find communal understanding, comfort and room to express strength and vulnerability. With Angelou’s writing, we can rest in the words of a poet and be reminded of our own humanity.
A Voice for Marginalized Communities
Angelou was an advocate for marginalized communities and served as a social activist throughout her career. Her writing often served as a beacon for those experiencing injustice and hardship. She captures the injustices of the African-American experience in “Still I Rise” and serves as a voice for the voiceless. Through her words, Angelou provides a source of encouragement, hope, and resilience for those who are living without it.
In her writing, Angelou often speaks for those who cannot speak for themselves, which is why her work resonates with so many individuals. As poet Elizabeth Alexander writes, “Maya Angelou’s voice encompasses us all. It speaks not only of personal journeys but also of universal passages as we strive to know of love and grief, of liberation and connection.” By drawing attention to social injustice, while still emphasizing its transcendence through community and resilience, Angelou’s writing serves as a beacon of hope and faith.
Awakening Self Love
Angelou’s work is an ode to self-love. She kneels down to her own story, celebrating her struggles and accomplishments alike. Through her writing, she encourages individuals to do the same for themselves. She speaks in “Still I Rise” of a mutual state between her and her inner strength. Being able to stop and appreciate the power of a unified spirit allowed her to carry on and do amazing things despite the difficulties she encountered.
Angelou’s words serve as a reminder that you can be your own source of inspiration. Finding this strength means being able to persevere even when it feels as if you’re standing alone. While there are many faces behind Angelou’s work, it is ultimately about one woman’s story of self-love and resilience. In it, we can find the courage to take our own stories into our hands and the fortitude to direct them in a positive direction.
Understanding the Resilience of Life
Angelou’s words are both a reminder and a celebration of the resilience of life. In her work, we can find a source of inspiration for hard times and a beacon of hope for our future. She writes to express her own experiences and to document the emotional journey of those who have gone before her. Through her writing, Angelou reminds us of our inherent strength to carry on, even during our darkest moments.
Angelou’s writing honors the pain and celebrates the moments of joy in life. With each passing line of poetry, she uplifts our spirits and reminds us that we can persevere through times of struggle. Angelou’s words may have begun as a response to her own personal experiences, but they have since become a source of inspiration and hope for individuals worldwide.
