In this research paper, the researcher has tried to find out the image of black female depicted in Maya Angelou's poems. This research has been conducted by qualitative and analytical method because this research has not numerical data. After collecting data, the researcher has analyzed poems and supported by particular idea of feminist Sara Mills. The researcher has chosen only three poems of Angelou from "The Complete Collected Poems of Maya Angelou which are ‘Still I Rise’, ‘Phenomenal Woman’ and ‘Caged Bird’".
This study has been conducted by the use of black feminism theory and also focused on words, lines and stanzas. This research gives rise to enhance the argument in literature studies particularly Black Feminism self-esteem. Thus, it can enable others to organize research on African-American females. The analysis has explained that black woman’s different images are depicted in Maya Angelou's poems. In the first poem ‘Still I Rise’, Maya Angelou presents black female as a leader of the movement and challenges the society arrangement about black people.
In the second poem, ‘Phenomenal Woman’, Maya Angelou describes a standard of beauty that beauty is not having beautiful face and slim smart body and thin lip. She says that a black woman can be phenomenal woman through her confidence and good personality and proud herself being black woman. In last poem ‘Caged Bird’, Maya Angelou shows underdevelopment of black woman due to tradition. As a coloured woman Maya Angelou raises her voice and says that soon, black people will be free. The present research concludes that author is presenting theme of hope in all above poems and she is a courageous black woman.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Significance of Study
- Statement of the Problem
- Research Objectives
- Research Question
- Delimitation of Research
- Literature Review
- Poetics
- Black Feminism
- Critical Review of Previous Work
- Theoretical Framework
- Research Methodology
- Analysis
- Caged Bird Analysis
- Phenomenal Woman Analysis
- Still I Rise Analysis
- Conclusion and Findings
- References
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This research paper analyzes the portrayal of Black women in Maya Angelou's poetry, using a qualitative and analytical approach informed by Black feminist theory. The study focuses on three poems: "Still I Rise," "Phenomenal Woman," and "Caged Bird," examining how Angelou depicts the experiences and identities of Black women within the context of racial and gender oppression.
- The portrayal of Black female identity in Maya Angelou's poetry.
- The intersection of race, gender, and oppression in Angelou's work.
- The use of poetic devices to convey themes of resilience, self-esteem, and hope.
- The application of Black feminist theory to literary analysis.
- The exploration of societal structures and their impact on Black women.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Introduction: This chapter introduces the concepts of poetics, feminism, and Black feminism, establishing the theoretical framework for the analysis of Maya Angelou's poetry. It defines poetics as the systematic study of literature, focusing on the analysis of its constitutive parts to draw general conclusions. The chapter also discusses the evolution of feminism, highlighting the emergence of Black feminism as a distinct approach that addresses the unique experiences of Black women facing intersecting oppressions of race, class, and gender. The significance of narrative in African-American culture is also explored, setting the stage for the analysis of Angelou's poetic narratives and how they reflect the lived realities of Black women in America.
Literature Review: This section provides a critical overview of existing scholarship on poetics, Black feminism, and previous works that have analyzed Maya Angelou's poetry. It lays the groundwork for the current research by establishing the context and informing the theoretical framework guiding the analysis of Angelou's selected poems. The review likely examines different perspectives on Black feminist thought and its application to literary criticism, situating the research within the existing body of knowledge.
Research Methodology: This chapter details the research methods employed in the study, explaining the choice of a qualitative and analytical approach. The rationale for selecting only three poems by Maya Angelou ("Still I Rise," "Phenomenal Woman," and "Caged Bird") is justified, highlighting the criteria used for selection and outlining the specific analytical techniques employed to interpret the poems. The chapter also likely discusses the theoretical framework guiding the analysis and how it informs the interpretation of the selected texts.
Analysis: This chapter presents a detailed analysis of the three selected poems by Maya Angelou. It likely breaks down each poem individually, exploring the imagery, language, and themes used to portray the experiences and identities of Black women. The analysis draws heavily on Black feminist theory to interpret the poems and examines how Angelou uses poetic devices to convey messages of resilience, self-affirmation, and hope in the face of oppression.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Black feminism, Maya Angelou, identity, Black women, poetry, racial discrimination, gender oppression, resilience, self-esteem, hope, intersectionality.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Maya Angelou's Poetry
What is the main topic of this research paper?
This research paper analyzes the portrayal of Black women in Maya Angelou's poetry, focusing on three poems: "Still I Rise," "Phenomenal Woman," and "Caged Bird." It uses a qualitative and analytical approach informed by Black feminist theory to examine how Angelou depicts the experiences and identities of Black women within the context of racial and gender oppression.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
The key themes include the portrayal of Black female identity, the intersection of race, gender, and oppression in Angelou's work, the use of poetic devices to convey themes of resilience, self-esteem, and hope, the application of Black feminist theory to literary analysis, and the exploration of societal structures and their impact on Black women.
Which poems are analyzed in this research paper?
The paper focuses on three specific poems by Maya Angelou: "Still I Rise," "Phenomenal Woman," and "Caged Bird."
What is the methodology used in this research?
The research employs a qualitative and analytical approach, informed by Black feminist theory. The specific analytical techniques used to interpret the poems are detailed in the "Research Methodology" chapter.
What is the structure of the research paper?
The paper is structured as follows: Introduction, Significance of Study, Statement of the Problem, Research Objectives, Research Question, Delimitation of Research, Literature Review (including Poetics, Black Feminism, Critical Review of Previous Work, and Theoretical Framework), Research Methodology, Analysis (including individual analyses of "Still I Rise," "Phenomenal Woman," and "Caged Bird"), Conclusion and Findings, and References.
What theoretical frameworks are used in this analysis?
The analysis draws heavily on Black feminist theory, alongside a foundational understanding of poetics (the systematic study of literature).
What is covered in the Literature Review section?
The Literature Review provides a critical overview of existing scholarship on poetics, Black feminism, and previous analyses of Maya Angelou's poetry. It establishes the context and informs the theoretical framework for the current research.
What are the key findings or conclusions of this research?
The specific findings and conclusions are presented in the "Conclusion and Findings" chapter. The analysis explores how Angelou uses poetic devices to convey messages of resilience, self-affirmation, and hope in the face of oppression.
What are the keywords associated with this research?
Key words include: Black feminism, Maya Angelou, identity, Black women, poetry, racial discrimination, gender oppression, resilience, self-esteem, hope, intersectionality.
What is the purpose of the chapter summaries provided?
The chapter summaries provide a concise overview of the content and focus of each chapter in the research paper, giving the reader a clear understanding of the overall structure and argument.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Zafar Iqbal (Autor:in), Saima Parveen (Autor:in), 2018, The Poetics of Black Feminist Narrative. A Literary Analysis of Maya Angelou's Poetry, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/425638
