Oppression and survival in Maya Angelou’s poetry

Abstract EN

Maya Angelou is considered a major modern African American writer who presents an outstanding example for her race to know how to overcome frustration as well as misery and reach glory together with dignity.

In her personal life, the black poet faced numerous obstacles and hardships which failed to ruin her.

Therefore, she did her best to describe her success in defying such hard circumstances and defeating them.

Besides, she attempted to convey these experiences to encourage her fellow-black citizens to fight for freedom, equality and justice.

The noted author was well aware of the idea that blacks in America faced two ferocious enemies represented in slavery and racism.

Throughout her poetry, Angelou was keen on depicting her people's suffering, misery and wretchedness due to the morbid effects of these two hideous enemies.

However, she was simultaneously concerned with the encouragement of the black victims to resist all the types of oppression inflicted on them at the hands of the white racists.

To her, the only way to achieve liberty and equality in America was through endurance and resistance.