Essay Questions

Trace the elements of postcolonialism in Maya Angelou's poems.

Perhaps a very universal idea when it comes to postcolonialism is that of the empire writing back. In her poem Still I Rise, Maya Angelou writes back. She writes back to those who have oppressed her and her voice, and she writes back against the culture of oppression.

A similar yet distinct idea is explored in Phenomenal Woman. She breaks out of the patriarchal bonds that tie her to a stereotypical idea of what a woman should be and explores her own femininity. In Women Work, Maya Angelou confronts the culture of colonialism head-on, writing about the double colonization of woman and talking about the themes of slavery and gender inequality at the same time. The element of postcolonialism comes through rather forcefully in this poem, as she challenges all the evils of colonialism in the length of a single poem.

How can Maya Angelou be understood as a feminist poet?

One of the central themes explored by Maya Angelou is that of gender inequality. While her poems are not limited by gynocentric concerns, woman's issues are a big part of her writing. In Phenomenal Woman, Maya Angelou celebrates self-definition and womanhood, talking about her femininity with pride. A similar sentiment is echoed in Still I Rise, in which she writes against oppression, and celebrates the spirit of resilience within women.

Even in poems like Woman Work, Angelou writes about woman's issues and inequality and fiercely condemns gender discrimination, delineating woman as a slave.

How does the theme of slavery operate in Woman Work?

A very potent and pervasive theme in the poem Woman Work is the that of slavery. The poet mentions picking cotton, a clear indication of an underlying slave narrative. She talks about the fact that being a woman is like being a slave. She harshly condemns both slavery and gender inequality. She talks about how dire the conditions of the slave/woman are. With her use of vivid imagery, Maya Angelou effectively weaves a narrative that can be seen as a slave narrative.