Maya Angelou is universally renowned as one of the most influential figures in American literature and culture. Her impact as a poet, novelist, educator and civil rights activist has been enduring, and her legacy will continue to impact future generations. But what were the main sources of inspiration for Maya Angelou? Here we discuss some of the key influences that led to the iconic work that she created.
Family
For Maya Angelou, her family provided a great source of support throughout her life. Her grandmother, Annie Henderson, was a highly religious woman and her influence shaped Angelou’s approach to education and appreciation of faith. Angelou’s brother, also called Bailey Jr., was a key role model for Maya, particularly when it came to appreciating the power of poetry. Bailey often recited poems to his sister, and would often perform works by Langston Hughes and other African-American poets.
Music
Music was another major source of inspiration for Angelou. The music of Ella Fitzgerald, Mahalia Jackson and even Duke Ellington often featured in Angelou’s writing, with her classic poem ‘On the Pulse of Morning’ taking influence from Ellington’s ‘Fleurette Africaine (African Flower)’. Angelou was a lifelong fan of jazz, and even ran a juke joint for a time. She also drew inspiration from classic gospel and spiritual music, with many of her works being spiritual in nature.
Civil Rights Activism
The civil rights movement had a huge impact on Angelou’s life and work. As a teenage girl, Angelou was one of the strongest supporters of Martin Luther King Jr’s Montgomery Bus Boycott. She later worked closely with Coretta Scott King, and in the 1960s she worked with civil rights groups like the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. The civil rights movement was a powerful force in Angelou’s life, and it can be seen in her works of activism and poetry.
Nature and Nature Writing
Angelou often drew inspiration from nature and the environment. Her most famous work, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, referred to both the sight of a caged bird and to a poem by Paul Laurence Dunbar. Nature was often a source of inspiration for Angelou’s work, with her poems, essays and books often depicting a strong relationship between nature and the human spirit.
Life Experiences
Angelou’s life experiences, some of them painful and traumatic, also played an important role in inspiring her work. Her early life featured a period of isolation, alienation and poverty, experiences which she drew upon heavily in her works. Her later life was just as inspiring, featuring a series of successes and accomplishments which she used to further her work and her legacy.
Travel
Finally, Angelou was a great fan of travel and often travelled extensively in search of inspiration. Her trips to the Caribbean, South America and the American South provided her with material for her writings. In particular, her trips to Ghana and other African countries provided a great source of primary material which she incorporated into her works.
Teaching
Angelou was a great educator and a highly sought-after teacher of children and adults. Her teaching inspired many of her works, particularly her autobiographical works which explored her time as a teacher. She was a great advocate for education and an avid reader, and her emphasis on education was a major source of inspiration for her works.
Literary Works
Angelou was also inspired by the works of many great authors, notably Alice Walker, Toni Morrison and Nikki Giovanni. Her own works often bear the mark of her admiration for other authors, with her poetry often bearing similarities to Walker’s prose works.
Conclusion
These are just some of the key sources of inspiration for Maya Angelou, who created an enduring body of work that will continue to inspire generations to come. From her earliest days, Angelou was inspired and motivated by the people, culture, and literature around her, and this motivation was the fuel for her success.
