Maya Angelou, a renowned American poet, novelist, and civil rights activist, was influenced by many people in her life. Her desire to write was inspired by a multitude of factors including influential teachers, inspiring mentors, personal life experiences, and reading works of other prominent authors. Maya Angelou’s passion to write was galvanized by the people she encountered throughout her life.
As a child, Angelou’s early experiences with literature were mainly through her mother’s collections of books by Langston Hughes, Countee Cullen, and Paul Laurence Dunbar. Her mother made sure she was exposed to inspiring literature and this greatly influenced Maya Angelou’s writing as an adult. Her mother was also a source of comfort, compassion and strength, which was highly influential to her.
During her adolescence, Angelou attended classes taught by a beloved teacher named Mrs. Flowers. In addition to teaching Angelou about the classics, Mrs. Flowers instilled in Angelou a strong appreciation for language, literature and poetry. Angelou credited Mrs. Flowers “for teaching her to love language, literature, and poetry”, which she developed a deep affection for throughout her life.
As an adult, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was highly influential to Angelou’s writing. As a close associate, he inspired Angelou to use her writing and her voice to fight for equality and justice. Angelou later adopted him as her mentor and devoted her life to helping the civil rights movement. Her writing during this period was mostly involve mainly civil rights and the struggle for equal rights.
Finally, reading works of other influential authors had a major impact on Maya Angelou’s writing. She was deeply influenced by writers such as James Baldwin, Gwendolyn Brooks, Zora Neale Hurston, Langston Hughes, and Richard Wright. She was also an avid reader of Shakespeare — an author who inspired all of her work. Maya Angelou’s love of literature and poetry was evident in the writings she produced throughout her lifetime.
Influential Teachers
Maya Angelou’s passion for language began very early in life. As a child, she attended classes taught by a beloved teacher – Mrs. Flowers. In addition to teaching her about the classics, Mrs. Flowers instilled in Angelou a strong appreciation for language, literature and poetry. Angelou credited Mrs. Flowers “for teaching her to love language, literature, and poetry”, and this love of literature showed through all of her future works.
Inspiring Mentors
In her adult life, Angelou was inspired and encouraged by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. As a close associate, he inspired Angelou to use her writing and her voice to fight for equality and justice and pursue activism. She adopted him as her mentor, and his influence was seen in the works she produced during that period. Angelou adopted her mentor’s ideal of using language and writing to fight for justice.
Personal Experiences
Angelou’s mother was a source of comfort, compassion and strength, which was highly influential to her. She provided Angelou with lists of influential books by authors such as Langston Hughes, Countee Cullen and Paul Laurence Dunbar, and this knowledge stuck with her. Angelou’s mother was one of the main sources who influenced her to become a writer.
Works of Other Authors
Reading works of other prominent authors was a major source of Maya Angelou’s inspiration. She was highly influenced by writers such as James Baldwin, Gwendolyn Brooks, Zora Neale Hurston, Langston Hughes, and Richard Wright. She was also an avid reader of Shakespeare. Angelou found many great writers to look up to, and she was more motivated than ever to pursue her passion in writing.
