Running Head: THE POETICS OF BLACK FEMINISTIC NARRATIVE 1

The Poetics of Black Feministic Narrative: A Literary

Analysis of Maya Angelou's Poetry

Saima Perveen

National University of Modern Languages

THE POETICS OF BLACK FEMINISTIC NARRATIVE 2

Abstract

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.

Keywords: black feminism, Maya Angelou, identity and coloured women

THE POETICS OF BLACK FEMINISTIC NARRATIVE 3

Introduction

Poetics word derives from the Greek word poietikos which means pertaining to poetry,

creative, productive. Poetics is defined as a systematic way of studying literature. Theory of

literary discourse and foam is called poetics. It can be referred specially to the theory of

poetry although some speakers misuse the term so often that the concept of the theory is itself

denoted (Gerard, 2005, p.14). The study of poetry by analyzing constitutive part of poetry

and after analyzing describe the general conclusion (Aristotle, p.375 - 378). Poetics basically

discuss the tragedy and epic poetry.

The word feminism is derived from 'feminisme' that is taken from Latin word 'femina'

which means woman. The aim and belief of feminism is to provide or talk about the equal

power, rights and opportunity as men have. It is fundamentally a movement of supporting

women in which supporters speak, write and act on women's issues for the development.

Feminism has numerous types that present the effort of women for survival in the world.

They speak on the behalf of women of the world that are exploited by men dominant society

(Asseffie, 2012). Feminism continues the division of feminist on the behalf of nationality,

religion and race. White feminist focuses on the problem of white women and they neglect

the effort of women of black colour like "African-American" women (Dreserova, 2006).

Effort of black women for her right is rejected to advocate by white women ( Izgarjan &

Markoz, 2014). When Black scholar got knowledge about the reality, they created a

movement that is called "Black Feminist movement".

Black feminism is a type of feminism which discusses the struggle of black women. Black

feminism refers that racism, class oppression and sexism are completely bound together

(Collins, 2000). Sometimes this includes other women of different colour. Black women have

a double disadvantage; first disadvantage is that they are black meaning they are susceptible
THE POETICS OF BLACK FEMINISTIC NARRATIVE 4

to racial discrimination and the other disadvantage is that they are females, meaning they are

also susceptible to abuse or exploitation from men (Collins 2015). Black women have

experienced double oppression and segregation due to black race and sex. They required

extra power to make progress from weird and harsh situations regarding white men dominant

society. That is why black women protesters or advocates say womanism and feminism are

totally different terms. This is known as intersectionality which discussed the class, gender

and race (Crenshaw, 2017). It can be found in some other ideologies. Black feminism was

particularly popular in the United States, which has a dark past of racial discrimination and so

explains the focus upon racial factors. Blacks are a minority in the US and racism is a key

aspect of black feminism.

Narrative is called a representation of genuine report, imaginary report in a written order

or spoken words or tranquil or moving image or both (Sandberg, 2016). It can be organized a

number of formal categories or thematic categories like proper fiction, non-fiction and

historical events or fictionalize. Narrative is also defined as imaginary or fictional writing in

theoretical approach of literature in which the narrator in a straight line communicate to

reader. And the reader thinks that he/she is the part of the story. Narrative or story telling is

deep rooted practiced in African-American culture (Amoah, 2013).

Poetics of black feministic narrative means that how suffering of black women affect

writing, reading, and the functions of text in society. America is a moderated country which

always talks about the equality and freedom. In which every people can live without

perceiving any gender, social and racial discrimination. But, in reality people of this country

are experiencing the gender discrimination, race biasness, nationality prejudice, sexual

unfairness and ethnicity (Soelistyo & Krisna, 2013). Race discrimination toward black people

became one of the most concerns in America. It is supposed that race discrimination is linked

to “Slavery Period” that is presented in American history. That started in 1600’s with
THE POETICS OF BLACK FEMINISTIC NARRATIVE 5

transport of Africans as salves in America (Hallam, 2004). They worked as house maid and

uneducated worker for White people. They called Negro or African-American because they

have families in America and worked as lower position like their parents due to lack of

education because White people degrade and differentiate them ideologically and physically.

No doubt, rulers of America tried their best to finish the slavery and discrimination toward

African-American people but it cannot finish yet because black people are still facing the race

discrimination issue especially black women because they have lower quality of life and low

salary as compares to black men. And today many poems are found on segregation and

discrimination that shares their suffering of separate condition.

Literature is a beautiful literary work which comes from human life. Experience the world

through imagination is way of literature (Jones,1968). Poetry is a literary work which makes

it different from another literary work of literature because it is the mind or idea of poet

which flows a media to press felling, thought and perception (Shumaker, 1965). The

researcher chooses poetry to analyze literary study, because it is full of imaginative

entertaining literary work.

Maya Angelou is an African-American novelist, civil rights activist, poet, educator,

dramatist, actress, producer, filmmaker, historian, dancer and most famous & influential

voices of America. Maya Angelou wrote number of poems on injustice and biased behavior

for African-American in USA. While mostly poems talk about the issue of individuality,

racism and gender discrimination. Angelou was the woman who used approach of feminism

in her poems that expresses the racial segregation and discrimination and male dominancy.

This is the reason research used to analyze the Maya Angelou's poetry.

Significance of Study
THE POETICS OF BLACK FEMINISTIC NARRATIVE 6

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.

Statement of the Problem

Gender and race discrimination is the most influential and integral part of literature. There

is little work done on poetics of black feministic narrative in English narrative especially on

Maya Angelou's work. It is a huge concern in discrimination toward black people specially

females in America. It denotes the most critical influence on society. Postmodern work of

American poet Maya Angelou highlights the black feminism of her community in a way to

ensure it as affection female.

Research Objectives

In a manner comforting with the problem of the study, the objective of the study is to

explore black woman image depicted by Maya Angelou in her poems.

Research Question

The present research attempts to answer the following question

How has black woman image been depicted by Maya Angelou in her poems?

Delimitation of Research

Black feministic narrative represented by Maya Angelou through poems in which she

describes the suffering of black females from society. The present research is delimited to

only three poems of Maya Angelou: ‘Phenomenal Woman’, ‘Caged Bird’ and ‘Still I Rise’.
THE POETICS OF BLACK FEMINISTIC NARRATIVE 7

Literature Review

Poetics

Gerard (2005) in "Essays in Aesthetics" gives a definition of poetics that theory of literary

discourse and foam is called poetics. It can be referred specially to the theory of poetry

although some speakers misuse the term so often that the concept of the theory is itself

denoted. Aristotle in his book "The Poetics" defines that poetics is the study of poetry which

analyze basic part of poetry and after analyzing describes the common conclusion. Poetics

basically discuss the tragedy and epic poetry.

Black Feminism

Asseffie (2012) in "Experiences of Marginalized Women: I Know Why The Cage Bird

Sings in Focus" defines, black feminism is fundamentally a movement of supporting women

in which supporters speak, write and act on women's issues for the development. Feminism

has numerous types that present the effort of women for survival in the world. They speak on

the behalf of women of the world that are exploited by men dominant society. Feminism

continues the division of feminist on the behalf of nationality, religion and race.

According to Dreserova (2006) in his book "Canary Petunias in Bloom: Black Feminism

in Poetry of Alice Walker and Rita Dove" explains that White feminists just focus on the

white women issue and they neglect the effort of women of black colour like "African-

American" women. In addition Izgarjan & Markoz (2014) in "Alice Walkr's Womanism:

Perspectives Past and Present" says that Effort of black women for her right is rejected to

advocate by white women. After getting knowledge about the reality, they created a

movement that is called "Black Feminist movement".

THE POETICS OF BLACK FEMINISTIC NARRATIVE 8

Collins (2000) in "Black feminist thought: Knowledge and the politic of empowerment"

defines Black feminism is a type of feminism which discusses the struggle of black women.

"Black feminism" refers that racism, class oppression and sexism are completely bound

together (Collins, 2000). Sometimes this includes other women of different colour. Black

women have a double disadvantage; first disadvantage is that they are black meaning they are

susceptible to racial discrimination and the other disadvantage is that they are females,

meaning they are also susceptible to abuse or exploitation from men (Collins 2015). Black

women have experienced double oppression and segregation due to black race and sex. They

required extra power to make progress from weird and harsh situations regarding white men

dominant society. That is why black women protesters or advocates say “womanism and

feminism” are totally different terms. Collins (2000) explains that the very first name of black

movement was [black feminism] but many black feminist do not agree to term "feminist"

because according to them, "feminism" term is restricted for females of white colour not for

coloured females. They mention the term womanist and believe that this term refer "black

women" or coloured females who violently effort from discrimination and oppression.

Critical Review of Previous Work

This section of the study explains and analyzes the works already done chronologically.

Praseedha (2010) explains the depiction of women as less important and low-graded to men

and white women. He opines that poems of Angelou, tells us the stories of suffering and race

discrimination and unnecessary insult. Maya Angelou, uses religion, struggle, and

reproduction to defeat multiple memories of the most brutal organizations of America. The

trade of slave and its humiliating effects on the people of the community is narrated through

her life.
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Naderi (2013) opines that Maya Angelou highlights the voice of black woman and explicit

the critique and injustice and discrimination through Maya Angelou's poem. Naderi also

explains that Angelou tries to celebrate the concept or idea of uniqueness and beauty of black

subject and efforts to explain the black female survival against white men prejudice at social

and psychological level.

Paramita (2012) is of the view that black females in the poems of Angelou are very

confident because they proud about their look, accept their physical features and makes it

their positive point and represents themselves as confident and strong women. Angelou

represents idea of sexuality of black females that is completely opposite the idea of her young

age.

EstaBem (2013) defines the concept of a wild woman for Angelou because she defines

through her poetry the prejudice of gender and race and inequalities of societies for black

females that a white female cannot understand. Angelou does not accept society rules and

struggles against the sexism and racism.

Pelayo (2017) opines that Angelou is an honest lady because at that time females are

afraid of telling truth but Angelou in her autobiography explains black women situation

during twentieth century through poetry. She explains black women role in society and

difficulty to fight for their rights. She has been a sign and worked hard in her whole life for

equality and justice

Janouskova (2005) defines that Angelou poetry is popular and it creates a myth of survival

as her poetry continues to play an essential role in the evolution of myth. Angelou explains

the female struggle for liberation where women pride plays an important role where her

grandmother served as a lighthouse in the sea of dismay and chaos. Most of her poems

explains the human and their behaviour according to the culture.

THE POETICS OF BLACK FEMINISTIC NARRATIVE 10

Permatasari (2016) opine that Angelou wrote poetry about racial issue and feminism

perspective. Angelou challenges the black people existing society arrangement. Angelou

represents herself like a movement leader which opposes harassment and fights for the

freedom of colored people. She represents the tradition in her poetry shows her voice as black

woman that black people will be free very soon.

This is how the works already done in the relevant area mentioned above generate the

space for the present research because most probably no significant work has been done on

Maya Angelou's poems regarding black female ideological underpinnings embedded in them

and correlating the finding with the critical race theory.

Theoretical Framework

Feminist Postcolonial Theory is the theoretical and analytical mode that examined women

that progressed as a reaction to females or feminism focus exclusively on the getting

knowledge by practices (experience) by females in Western society and it also attempt to

search or finds account for the method that biasness and prejudice against colour or race and

the long term effects of economic, politics and society and custom of colonialism effects on

non-white and non-western females in the world of postcolonial.

According to "Sara Mills " (2003): feminists believe, colour women are behaved cruelly,

harshly and tyrannically and differently from both races (black and white) males and white

females and they are treated to individual and organizational, racial, culture and territory

intolerance, prejudice and biasness. And they call them "alien others" and "Third World

Women". Colour women in USA, usually notice it hard to segregate class difference from

race discrimination and gender oppression although they experienced all these things in their

lives simultaneously. Colour women in USA recognized that “racial--sexual oppression” is

neither only sexual and racial. Colour women in USA required to articulate person’s real
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class situation that is not only raceless and sexless workers. Whom, sexual and racial

oppression is determinant in their working lives significantly. Feminists also believe that

society is prepared or prearranged in such a system that it works, in common, to the

advantage of white race people and black males instead of black females. The above

discussion does not indicate or point out the equality and the benefits of both black men and

white women in the same structure through the system that society is prearranged or planned

or prepared, since society also ill-treats and exploits both black men and white women in

different manners, nor does it means that black men get part in the persistence or maintenance

of the structure of the system, since black men and white women can decide to go up against

the cruelty of other groups. However, it also indicates, there is a common divergence or

difference in the manner. Black men and white women are behaved as a whole in the system

of society that they view themselves and others think about them as gendered beings and

females specially black females are viewed as inferior to males and white people, as society

behaves with black females ill-mannerly or badly like they are aliens for society and born to

serve them as inferior people because society abuse them and discriminate them.

Research Methodology

This research has been conducted by qualitative and analytical method because this

research has not numerical data.

Method of data collection: 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’. After collecting data, the researcher has analyzed poems and

supported by particular idea of feminist Sara Mills.

Analysis
THE POETICS OF BLACK FEMINISTIC NARRATIVE 12

Caged Bird Analysis

Maya Angelou's one of very heart touching poem ‘Caged Bird’ was published in 1983.

Maya Angelou published her autobiography in 1969 with the title of "I Know Why the

Caged Bird Sings”. ‘Caged Bird’ poem was included in autobiography. This poem consists

of six stanzas and talks about freedom but didnot publish. “Black Feminist Movement” was

the period when this poem published. This poem shows that black race is facing segregation

due to skin colour. ‘Caged Bird’ poem doesnot focus only on black women. It can be

interpreted as the domination, prejudice and inequality toward black people of that age. The

poem ‘Caged Bird’ talks about tradition and history of “Black People” in which they were

treated badly, unequally and unfairness within United State’s dominant white society. That's

why black feminist movement was started in 1960 In that period more black people raised

their voice because feminists (female supporters) believe that colour women are behaved

cruelly, harshly and tyrannically and differently from both races (black and white) males and

white females and they are treated to individual and organizational, racial, culture and

territory intolerance, prejudice and biasness. And they call them "alien others" and "Third

World Women" (Mills, 2003). Barriers have been put between races throughout the history.

Society was divided between two races, white and black. Whites were superior and blacks

were considered as inferior. A wrong tradition of slavery and discrimination was existed for

more than three hundred years.

But..cagedbird…graveofdreams,,
his…shouts…nightmarescream
his…clippedand..feet…tied,,
so..opens…throat…sing
(Angelou,1994, P.14)
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The above text explains black people attitude that are experiencing race biasness. In

discrimination period, blacks were in state of oppression because they face hatred attitude

from whites and their opportunities were stole from whites. In the last line of the stanza,

Maya Angelou shows that black people are tired from discrimination, segregation, “alien

other” and “Third world people”. They know it is necessary to raise their voice and sing for

their freedom. This line shows that why “Black feminist movement” take action and black

feminist were active because blacks were bound by history and white were given hope and

spirit through.

The poem concludes that possible answer could be a white person because due to their

colour black are “Caged”. Infinity and opportunities are for whites while these are wrong for

colour people.

The…birdsings
with…fearfultrill
ofthingsunknown
but…forstill
and …tuneisheard
on…distanthill
for…caged…sings…freedom..
(Angelou,1994, P.14)

These verses are taken from the last stanza of the poem. Above text clearly explains

poem’s meaning and defines the action of ‘Caged Bird’. Coloured skin acts as a barrier or

problem for back race. It prevents person’s freedom and treats him like slave. According to

white people, feelings and freedom are only for them. In the poem ‘Caged Bird’, poet shows

her voice as a black that “Black people” will be free very soon because she believes that bud

of freedom, equality and justice is started to blossom between black people.

Phenomenal Woman Analysis

THE POETICS OF BLACK FEMINISTIC NARRATIVE 14

The poem ‘Phenomenal Woman’ was published in 1978. This poem is consist of four

stanzas. Each stanza has same structure. Maya Angelou published both poems ‘Phenomenal

Woman’ and ‘Still I Rise’ at same time. ‘Still I Rise’ poem is about coloured woman, lives

along with Whites. While, Maya Angelou through her poem ‘Phenomenal Woman’, tries to

deliver a message for reader to appraise herself although she is not physically perfect. Her

appearance is not like model. It is also written in “Second wave of feminism” that starts from

1960s. In that period more black people raised their voice because feminists (female

supporters) believe that colour women are behaved cruelly, harshly and tyrannically and

differently from both races (black and white) males and white females and they are treated to

individual and organizational, racial, culture and territory intolerance, prejudice and biasness.

And they call them "alien others" and "Third World Women" (Mills, 2003). Colour women

of USA were treated badly and have same challenges and problem to live in the in the society

of gender and race discrimination because black or colour women are perceived as “Third

world women” or aliens. Maya Angelou as a poet, describes in the poem a confident and

great woman as a black. Poem reader can understand that every line of the poem describes

that Maya Angelou is a proud woman for being black. She says in every stanza that she is

‘Phenomenal Woman’.

I’mawoman
Phenomenally..
Phenomenalwoman,
That’sme.
(Angelou,1994, P.46)

In above lines, the word “Phenomenally” means surprisingly, extraordinary and

impressive and Maya Angelou explains that surprisingly, she is black and complete woman.

She is complete as well extraordinary woman. In whole poem, Maya Angelou explains her

proud of being black. And she is proud at her body’s each part. In this poem, Maya Angelou
THE POETICS OF BLACK FEMINISTIC NARRATIVE 15

address to those women who thinks that beauty means having slim, smart body, small hips

and thin lips.

Pretty..wondermy..lies..
I’mcute…built…fashionmodel’s
(Angelou,1994, P.46)

Above verses show, author delivers message to reader that although she doesn't have

model type slim smart body who can wear fashionable dress but she is confident, strong and

brave being black. Her confidence and braveness makes her beautiful and phenomenal

woman means a complete woman. Maya Angelou also explains that how history and men see

her as a black race in the last stanza:

Men…havewondered
What…see..me.
They…so..much
But..can’t..touch.
My..inner..mystery.
(Angelou,1994, P.46)

Maya Angelou shows in these lines that men try to understand the reason of confidence in

black women so that they take such type of extreme action but they cannot understand the

reason of confidence. They believe that black women’s majority don’t take any step to

change their condition in society. It is difficult for them to believe that only one black woman

takes such extreme action against society's discrimination toward black.

Maya Angelou also describes her innermost beauty by caring others as mother and black

woman in the poem through these lines:

It’s…theofmyheels,
The…of..hair,,
The…of..Hand,,
The…for..Care..
(Angelou,1994, P.47)
THE POETICS OF BLACK FEMINISTIC NARRATIVE 16

Maya Angelou explains her optimistic point of view as a woman. She shows her confidence

as a black woman by saying “It’s in the click of my heels”. Through “the palm of my hand”,

Maya Angelou shows her care toward other black women.

Through these texts, the researcher concludes that ‘Phenomenal Woman’ does not mean have

beautiful face, slim smart body or good look. It means having proud of being black and

become confident & good person.

Still I Rise Analysis

Still I Rise poem was published in 1978 and it is one of the excellent poem of Maya

Angelou's poems. This poem consists of eight stanzas. All stanzas have 4 line structure

except last stanza which have 12 lines. This poem is written in abcb rhyming scheme. The

poem Still I Rise concerns living of Blacks between Whites people. By get knowledge about

the Black feminism, it is written on "second waves of feminism. Second wave of Feminism

starts from 1960s. In that period more black people raised their voice because feminists

(female supporters) believe that colour women are behaved cruelly, harshly and tyrannically

and differently from both races (black and white) males and white females and they are

treated to individual and organizational, racial, culture and territory intolerance, prejudice and

biasness. And they call them "alien others" and "Third World Women" (Mills, 2003). The

poem Still I Rise describes, that author also gets inferiority and biasness and inequality like

other colored women, she is behaved harshly and tyrannically and unequally from races

males and white females. Black feminism is narrated in this poem because Maya Angelou

writes about her effort and struggle to live along "Whites" who keep negative and awful

thinking for Black people. Within the poem Still I Rise, poet or speaker shows that she will

never give up to rise and will move forward for better life for her and other black women.
THE POETICS OF BLACK FEMINISTIC NARRATIVE 17

The poem Still I Rise conveys message from white perspective that white are superior and

blacks are inferior. Angelou depicts the exact image of "black woman" in the poem:

Does…sassinessupsetyou?
Why…youwithgloom?
Cause…walklike...oilwells
Pumping..my...room
(Angelou,1994, P.57)

Author puzzles the reader by asking them a question by alluding her own voice as

''sassiness'' and she asks the readers that is her confident attitude and impertinent voice

upsetting them. She observes that people of her society are "beset with gloom" when she

success. She asks the question from the society. Maya Angelou observes that she achieved

her aim through her writing, as a woman. "Oil wells pumping in my living room" this line

symbolizes author’s life and her success. However, it is going in the next stanza:

Just…moons....likesun,
With…certaintyof.tides,
Just..like......springing.high,
Still...rise.
(Angelou,1994, P.57)

Author compares sun and moon to herself because both are affected by tides. And in

reality Angelou was affected by the white people. This gave an understanding to reader that

she has no other option except to rice up her problems. Society wants to keep her dominate

but she rises up and stands against the oppression of the society like tides because it is tide's

nature to respond the moon.

Feminism period was ended after activation of black feminism movement because that

was only for the women of whites. In ‘Still I Rise’ poem, Maya Angelou describes the awful

and terrible condition of black females in history. Maya Angelou explains as a leader of
THE POETICS OF BLACK FEMINISTIC NARRATIVE 18

women, that she will never give up and she will fight against the oppression of the society

that she shows in this stanza:

Up..the....past..that’s....in.pain.,
I’m.....black..ocean.....and.wide,
.Welling..and.swelling..inthetide.
.Leaving...nights..terror..fear
I...rise
Into ...daybreak....wondrouslyclear
I..rise
Bringing..gifts..that...ancestorsgave,
Iam...dream..and...hopeof..slave.
I..rise
I..rise
Irise
(Angelou,1994, P.57)

Through using these lines, Maya Angelou gives an introduction of her identity by using

metaphor of black ocean for herself and black ocean that holds 'pain' and 'shame' of her

gender and race in her tide. In this stanza, Maya Angelou refers from past and asks the reason

of oppression and resented till now. Angelou calls slavery a shame history and she declares

that although slavery was rooted in pain but she will not be assumed by the past. Maya

Angelou also exposed that she intends to leave at the back all slavery impacts and domination

of history aim, as, it was intimated before. Maya Angelou claims that she will "terror and

fear" behind her and she will become rebellious against the pain and oppression "Into a

daybreak that’s wondrously clear". She doesnot determined to permit the society for hated

She doesn’t allow pain that belongs to history of suaveness to stop her from becoming all that

she wants to become or fulfill her dream. That’s why, she repeats “I rise" three times.

Author describes her emotion to endure the life and also shows the encouragement to face

the problems because White considers black as minority and Whites underestimate Maya
THE POETICS OF BLACK FEMINISTIC NARRATIVE 19

Angelou as black woman and treat her badly. "White people" sometimes injured the felling

of Author, like the stanza blow:

You..shoot..with..words,
You..cut..with..eyes,
You..kill..with.hatefulness,
But.still.likeair,
Irise
(Angelou,1994, P.57)

This stanza shows the domination of author. But in the last verse of the stanza, she writes

'But still, like air, I’ll rise', this line explains her power of survive and strength as a black

woman. No issue, what has been done with black people and said to her she will rise as brave

and face the situation. In whole poem, Maya Angelou challenges arrangement of existing

society for coloured people. Author also represents herself as leader of social change black

feminist movement. She faces oppression and rejects standard of gender role as a leader

which tries to free the coloured people (men and women). Author also recognizes her

strength and value and wants that other people also recognize it.

Conclusion and Findings

Maya Angelou as a black writer, supports herself through her writing. Maya Angelou uses

her writing to focuses on “black feminism”. She writes poems and books about black

feminism.

This article discusses black feminism, in three poems of Maya Angelou that are

‘Phenomenal Woman’, ‘Still I Rise’ and ‘Caged Bird’. Each poem shows different idea of

black feminism. Research has also discussed how the image of black woman depicted in
THE POETICS OF BLACK FEMINISTIC NARRATIVE 20

these poems. In analyzing these three poems, the researcher uses the critical race theory of

Sara Mills that is Feminist Postmodern theory.

Through analysis of every line of the stanza, the researcher finds the answer of the

research question. Research finds three type of image depicted in Maya Angelou's poems.

Through first 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. 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, short hip. 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, ‘Still I

Rise, Maya Angelou presents black female as a leader of the movement and challenges the

society arrangement about black people. This research shows the discrimination and

segregation, ill-treated, biasness and prejudice toward woman in her age. Hence, author

presents the theme of hope in all above poems by saying that soon they will be free, black

people can be beautiful and hope of equal rights. So, she is a courageous woman.

References

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