JOURNAL OF LANGUAGE STUDIES

Layers of Meaning in Maya Angelou's "Caged Bird"

Ruwayda Ahmed Hassan Ali

University of Baghdad/ College of Education for women /Department of English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.25130/lang.7.3.18

Keywords: Social segregation, Identity exploring, Racism, Injustice

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Abstract

Maya Angelou was a renowned American poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist who had the talent of capturing the essence of the human spirit through her powerful words. Her poetry touched people’s minds and hearts offering a voice to those who had been silenced and shedding light on the realities of racism, injustice, and the struggles faced by marginalized communities. Social segregation, identity exploring, and the image of the body are some of the main themes portrayed in “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” and many other poems. Maya Angelou's impact as a poet is undeniable, as she used her words to inspire and empower individuals to overcome adversity and fight for equality. Maya Angelou's metaphorical expressions allowed readers to perceive the world differently, encouraging introspection and fostering a deeper understanding of human experience. The aim of this study is to show how Angelou's metaphorical language in her poems helped to create vivid imagery and convey complex emotions through analyzing layers of meaning and metaphors which serve as a bridge between abstract concepts and tangible experiences, to allow readers to connect with her poetry on a deeply personal level.

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