Historical Influences: Context and Events Shaping the Artist and Their Work
Maya Angelou is one of the most prolific writers in American literature. She was born on April 4, 1928, in St. Louis, Missouri (Aslam, 2021). She is famed for infusing a dialect referred to as Black Secular in her creations, where metaphors and imagery are intended to emphasize themes of slavery in her poetry (Aslam, 2021). Still, I Rise, one of the poet’s best-known pieces, examines Maya’s revolutionary thoughts and will to survive adversity.
The poem was written when a significant emphasis was placed on black inferiority in the American community. Stereotypes are one of the main drivers of inequality. The poem was created in 1978 when African heritage and blackness were constantly attacked (Aslam, 2021). Racism was a predominant feature in institutions that denied black people access to opportunities to work and grow.
Technological Innovations and Revolutionary Thinking Reflected in the Work
Still I Rise was written when the Information Age emerged, marked by quick technological advances such as computers and the internet. Angelou’s poem reflects the transformational spirit of the time, even if it does not explicitly address these advancements, emphasizing perseverance instead. The poem questions conventional narratives in the same way that the Information Age upended traditional information access and gave voice to underrepresented groups.
Cultural Representation: Connecting the Work to Its Community
The poem proves the black community’s tenacity in facing injustice. Angelou’s poetry speaks to the spirit of African Americans, not simply her own experience. It portrays their resistance to discrimination and highlights how, despite cultural obstacles, black men and women are nonetheless whole.
The paper challenges and subverts the period’s dominant cultural conventions. Angelou elevates black realities and voices to subvert the prevailing Anglo-American narrative. Utilizing her creative expression, she subverts artistic conventions, offering an alternative viewpoint to those of popular culture and advocating for a reappraisal of what constitutes “artistic” in an overwhelmingly white setting.
Challenging Cultural Norms and Redefining Artistic Expression
Maya Angelou skillfully combines the revolutionary spirit of the Information Age with the communal resiliency of the Black community in Still I Rise. She redefines the limits of artistic expression and challenges the prevailing cultural narratives with her literary talent. In a world where society and technology are changing quickly, Angelou’s writings shine a light on the resilient spirit of a group that has been disenfranchised and help them claim their voice and position. The poem is a timeless celebration of defiance, optimism, and the unwavering spirit of people who overcome hardship.
Reference
Aslam, H. (2021). A study of endurance and aspiration in Maya Angelou’s Caged Bird (1968) and Still I Rise (1978). Journal of Communication and Cultural Trends, 3(1), 61-74. Web.