Abstract
An analysis of four poems of Maya Angelou: "The Lesson," "Caged Bird," "Still I Rise," and "Alone." The writer discusses how the themes of hope, triumph, and courage in the face of adversity are pervasive throughout Angelou's works. The writer cites outside criticism to support the analysis.

From the Paper
The Poems of Maya Angelou Introduction In his Nobel Prize acceptance speech John Steinbeck defined theduty of a writer The writer is delegated to declare and to celebrateman's proven capacity for greatness of heart and spirit for gallantry indefeat for courage compassion and love p The works of MayaAngelou illustrate her own similar beliefs regarding the duty of a writer Angelou's poems are imbued with a spirit of hope in the face of despair courage in the face of injustice and triumph

Tags:poems, love, racism, oppression, African-American, voice, Angelou, themes

Abstract
This paper offers a favourable review of Maya Angelou's first volume of autobiography, "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" (1969). The paper discusses how this immediately successful volume has been widely read, and is inspiring to diverse persons beyond Black community for its American saga of overcoming all odds to rise to national fame as a poet, playwright and performer, activist and spokesperson on education for disadvantaged youth.

From the Paper
"Angelou's autobiography has been recommended or assigned to millions of readers for its very human yet stark depiction of all that worked to produce a woman to succeed in public life, but who is representative of countless other African-American women for whom Life did not offer a reprieve in fame, success or wealth. The book is suitable for a wide range of readers who will draw different kinds of inspiration from it. It is an important American autobiography that reinforces ideals of starting from..."

Tags:maya angelou, caged bird 1969, us autobiography

Abstract
An analysis of the recognition Maya Angelou comes to during her high school graduation and how this compares with the childhood experiences of Frederick Douglass.

From the Paper
"During her graduation, Maya Angelou recognizes that in order to survive, African Americans must often overcome greater obstacles than whites, mainly because of historical prejudice and racism against African Americans in society. Shocked to see a social institution like public education provide opportunities for whites to become Galileos and Madame Curies while relegating African Americans to Jesse Owens' and Joe Louises', Angelou comes to the recognition that African Americans survive because of dedication to their poets and others inspirational figures whose voices have not been muted by oppression or..."

Tags:oppression, racism, prejudice, slavery, African Americans, education, success, Angelou, Douglass

Abstract
This paper details the life of accomplished poet and author Maya Angelou, which began in Missouri in 1928. Angelou largely became known to the American public when she delivered a poem at President Clinton's inauguration in 1993. This paper contends that Angelou's life experiences, such as being raped by her mother's boyfriend, are a contributing factor to her unique style of writing. This paper contains a brief chronology, in list form, of Angelou's personal life and various literary achievements. The writer of this paper also reviews several of Angelou's poems, that tend to focus on slavery and racism.

From the Paper
"At the age of eight Maya was raped by her mother's boyfriend. After the trial, her rapist was found murdered. For some inane reason Maya felt that she had killed him and stopped speaking for a while. As a male it is hard to imagine exactly how that would affect a person. Also, at the age of eight, it is doubtful that Maya truly understood what was happening. Still, one can be quite certain that Angelou was psychologically damaged for a while after this event. In my opinion, she would have become jaded at a young age and had little or no respect for herself."

Tags:literature, poetry, racism, slavery, woman, rape, african, american

Abstract
The paper details a brief history of Maya Angelou's life, showing the turmoil she lived through. It explains how she managed to overcome her hardships learning to love herself. The writer briefly describes each of the five parts of the autobiography. The paper discusses Angelou's message that every person, regardless of race, should have love and respect for themselves, and that life will only have meaning once this has been achieved. The paper details Angelou's many accomplishments. In conclusion, the writer states that through her life work, Angelou serves as an example to everybody, of what can be accomplished once a love for oneself and for others is discovered.

From the Paper
"The first of Angelou's five-part autobiography is entitled I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings[3]. As the title suggests, the book depicts the struggle for freedom from restriction that she experienced during her childhood. These restrictions were unfortunately not only inflicted upon her by racism, but also by her own family and to some extent by herself. It was however mostly her hostile environment that she struggled to escape, that caged her like a bird.
"The youth depicted in the work is one of disappointment, and tragedy, but finally the author achieves independence. It is with this independence in mind that she tells her story - living with her grandmother, she learned much from the exceptional older woman, as seen above. The black community in this environment was tightly knit, and taught Angelou much of the pride and confidence that helped her later in life. She also gives an honest account of the tragedy at her mother's, her recovery, and the unwanted pregnancy that changed her life. The book itself testifies to the remarkable woman that Angelou has become. With this work, the author contributes not only to her own culture, but also to American culture as a whole. Many white Americans, ignorant of the struggle of black and poor people, would do well to read Angelou's work."

Tags:pride, race, freedom, love, respect

Abstract
This paper introduces the author Maya Angelou and some of her most important works. It discusses how Maya Angelou has been an inspiration to writers, women, and blacks ever since she began writing and how her career has spanned decades and shows no signs of slowing down. It evaluates how each of Angelou's works is not only a story of her own life; it is the story of anyone growing up black in America. It shows how Angelou takes difficult circumstances and creates a full and satisfying life from them, showing what attitude and determination can do for a person.

From the Paper
"Each book is a stepping-stone through her life, and each successive book to "Caged Bird" is no exception. As she learns more about herself, she becomes more completely a woman, and more comfortable with herself. By the time her fourth book came out, America and the world was familiar with the young Black woman trying to make her way in the world. "The Heart of a Woman" covers a pivotal time in American history, the late 50s, and early 60s, when race became a national and extremely volatile issue. This is her most political book, and gives readers an idea of her beliefs, and what led her to leave the United States. "I disagreed. Black people could never be like whites. We were different. More respectful, more merciful, more spiritual" (Angelou 172)."

Tags:caged, bird, blacks, south

Abstract
This paper explains that, examining Maya Angelou's life, the base step of Abraham Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, physiological, was essential to her survival; she worked a variety of jobs and worked hard to ensure that she had whatever she needed. The author points out that Angelou describes the moment when self-respect and self-esteem were realized in her first book, "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings". The paper relates that the top of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, self-actualization, is apparent, throughout Maya Angelou's life, in her ability to be creative as a singer, writer, actress, producer, and director.

Table of Contents
Introduction
Biography
Abraham Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs and Maya Angelou's Life
Physiological
Safety
Love
Esteem
Self-Actualization
Summary and Conclusion

From the Paper
"As we mentioned earlier in our discussion Angelou has taught at a number of colleges and universities throughout the world. Most notably she was appointed the first Reynold's Professor of American Studies at Wake Forest University; this is a lifetime appointment. She also served as the Writer in Residence at the University of Kansas in Lawrence in 1970. Angelou was also a distinguished visiting professor at Wichita State University and California State University of Sacramento in 1974. She also served on the Board of Governors at the University of North Carolina in 1998. In addition, Angelou taught modern dance at the Rome Opera House and the Habima Theatre in Tel Aviv."

Tags:physiological, safety, love, esteem, self-actualization

Abstract
This paper focuses on Maya Angelou's poem, "Christians" where Angelou describes what it is like to be a Christian. An analysis of "Christians" shows how the author used literary elements to give meaning to the poem. The paper describes how Maya Angelou's poem describes her life as a Christian and how God makes the difference in her life even during difficult times. The paper explains that the meaning of the poem is that a person does not have to be perfect to be a Christian because God forgives and he is there to help the Christian.

From the Paper
'What does it mean to be a Christian? Jane Fonda (actress), Gary Busey (Academy Award actor), George Foreman (heavy weight world boxing champion), and President Bush will define the meaning of Christianity differently (Famous `Born Again' Christians). Often people struggle to describe what it means to be a Christian. Maya Angelou in her poem, "Christians," describes what it is like to be a Christian. An analysis of "Christians" will show how the author used literary elements to give meaning to the poem. Maya Angelou's poem describes her life as a Christian and how God makes the difference in her life even during difficult times."

Tags:christians, forgiveness, perfection

Abstract
This paper explains that, in Maya Angelou's "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings", a story based on her life, the two things which propelled young Maya into adolescence were her thirst for learning and her love of reading. The author tells of several aspects of Angelou's life including her attending college at the age of fourteen and the birth of a baby boy out of wedlock. The paper concludes that, even today, Maya Angelou, who is a product of Stamps and Oakland and of the disdain and hatred of pre-Civil Rights Negroes, seeks freedom for all people, black and white, so that they are not a caged bird.

From the Paper
"Maya also became somewhat of a dreamer, especially when thoughts of her mother, Vivian Baxter, arose from time to time. It seems that a movie star of that period, Kay Francis, was supposed to look like their mother, and the two would go to the movies- the colored balcony, of course, every time a Kay Francis movie would be shown at the local theatre. Slowly, there was a need for mother and daughter to reunite. But, still the heart and soul of Maya was her education. "I had met and loved the Bronte sisters, and had replaced Kipling's 'If' with 'Invictus'.""

Tags:family, son, drama, freedom, california

Abstract
The paper introduces, discusses, and analyzes the novel "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou. The paper discusses the themes of racism and segregation in the book, strong themes that are woven throughout this moving autobiography. The paper notes that in this book, author Maya Angelou recounts the story of her early life, including the racism and segregation she experienced throughout her formative years. The paper highlights that with wit, candor, and remarkable talent, Angelou shows that racism is a product of ignorance and prejudice, and that she has found the strength to rise above this crippling condition.

From the Paper
"Angelou encounters an entirely different world when she and her brother move to St. Louis to live with her mother and her family. Here, she encounters black people like her mother and grandmother, who actually have some power in the community, and who live an entirely different life than the rural life in Arkansas. They have jobs, make relatively decent money, and do not live in abject poverty. However, they are also violent, engage in illegal activities, and ultimately her mother's boyfriend molests and then rapes Angelou, then threatens her with killing her beloved brother if she every tells an adult. This leads to a long period of time where she refuses to speak to anyone. She writes of this time, "There was an army of adults, whose motives and movements I just couldn't understand and who made no effort to understand mine".

Tags:understandably, jealous, adolescence, chronicles, racism, prejudice