Maya Angelou Imagery

Maya Angelou uses imagery when she states, “Did you want to see me broken? / Bowed head and lowered eyes? / Shoulders falling down like teardrops / Weakened by my soulful eyes?” which indicates that she is describing the way society wanted to see African American women (13-16). The speaker knows that the racist people did not want African American women to have their own rights to accomplish their dreams and goals. People wanted to see black women struggle with their difficulties and not be able to defend themselves. She learns to resist oppression during times in which the government practically made it not possible. Maya Angelou also uses imagery by stating “I’m a black ocean,” which identifies that she is stating what her race is, and the discrimination of gender and race; and her self-confidence that gives out desire to the readers

The authors state that “health and reproductive rights and advocacy for combating domestic violence and sexual discrimination can be directly attributed to the liberal feminist thought,” domestic violence and other forms of gender-based violence deprive women of their fundamental ability to live with dignity (Bernard and Onwubiko 61). Maya Angelou gives African American women hope to not let anything from the past affect them.

Maya Angelou uses a tone of confidence, fulfillment, and sincerest when she states, “Just like moons and like suns/ With the certainty of tides,” in which she is going to conquer every single one of her difficulties (9,10). The reader can infer that the speaker will rise up even if life has gotten difficult for her and she will not let others manipulate her. The speaker states that she will brighten like the moons and suns and she will rise up like tides. Maya Angelou sets herself as an example to black women by stating that no matter what she has been through she will keep her head up