Maya Angelou Analysis

This poem tackles the idea of equal rights and respect of those different than one. A theme in this poem is the ability to overcome in confidence. Maya Angelou, a confident African American, uses poetry to overcome oppression that she faces. She starts the poem saying, “you may write me down in history with your bitter, twisted lies” (Angelou). This implies that Angelou has a name worth writing down in history, she has a well known place in history. However, the description of how her name will be written implies that there is a conflicted relationship between her and societal views. In oppression, Angelou describes herself as confident. Phrases such as “‘cause I laugh like I’ve got gold mines diggin’ in my own backyard” (Angelou) and “does it come as a surprise that I dance like I’ve got diamonds, at the meeting of my thighs” (Angelou) suggest confidence. She is saying that she carries herself as if she is rich and she dances as if she knows she is attractive. Throughout the poem, Angelou targets specific things people have said or done such as the following: harsh words, shame from history, rude stares, hateful remarks, bitter attitudes, etc. Yet, she expresses a theme of overcoming in confidence because everytime she picks out a negative about society, she exaggerates a truth about herself in a positive way. This poem tackles oppression but it also shows that confidence in oneself has the ability to propel one into overcoming.
My personal reaction is one of humbling