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The poetics of black feministic narrative: A Literary nalysis of Maya Angelou's Poetry

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This document provides an abstract for a research paper analyzing Maya Angelou's poetry through a black feminist lens. The paper examines three of Angelou's poems - "Still I Rise", "Phenomenal Woman", and "Caged Bird" - to depict different images of black women. In "Still I Rise", Angelou presents black women as leaders challenging social norms. In "Phenomenal Woman", she describes alternative standards of beauty for black women. In "Caged Bird", she shows the lack of development and freedom for black women due to tradition. The research aims to enhance literature studies on black feminism and self-esteem by exploring these depictions of black women in Angelou's celebrated poetry.

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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.
THE POETICS OF BLACK FEMINISTIC NARRATIVE 9 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
THE POETICS OF BLACK FEMINISTIC NARRATIVE 11 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)
THE POETICS OF BLACK FEMINISTIC NARRATIVE 13 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 1. Genette, G. (2005) Essays in Aesthetics, United States. University of Nebraska Press. 2. Crenshaw, K. (1989). Demarginalizing the Intersection of Race and Sex: A Black Feminist Critique of Antidiscrimination Doctrine, Feminist Theory and Antiracist Politics 3. Collins, P. (2015) Intersections of Race, Class, Gender, and Nation: Some Implications for Black Family Studies. Journal of Comparative Family Studies. 4. Collins, P. (2000) Black Feminist Thought: Knowledge, Consciousness, and the Politics of Empowerment. 2nd ed. New York: Routledge.
THE POETICS OF BLACK FEMINISTIC NARRATIVE 21 5. Collins, P. (1990) Black Feminist Thought: Knowledge, Consciousness, and the Politics of Empowerment. New York: Routledge. 6. Teeter, J. (2016) "Cracking the enigma of asset bubbles with narratives". Strategic Organization. 7. Sandberg, J. (2016) "Cracking the enigma of asset bubbles with narratives". Strategic Organization. 8. Krisna, S. & Soelistyo, L. (2013) Black power in Maya Angeou's " Still I Rise". Petra Student Journal 1 (1) retrived from http://www.studentjournal.petraac.id 9. Hallam, J. (2004) Historical Overview Men, women & Gender. retrieved from http://pbs.org 10. Jones, E. (1968) Out Outlines of Literature. Short stories, novels, and poems. United States of America: The Macmillan Company. 11. Shumaker, W. (1965) An Approach to poetry. United State: Prentice-Hall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, N.J,. 12. Assafie, B. (2012) Experiences of Marginalized Women: I Know Why The Cage Bird Sings in Focus. Ethiopia: Addis Abba University. retrieved from The Department of Foreign Literature of Addis Abba University Ethiopia Digital thesis 13. Dreserova, J. (2006) Canary Petunias in Bloom: Black Feminism in Poetry of Alice Walker and Rita Dove. Brno, Czech Republic: Masaryk University. retrived from the theses of Department of English and American Studies of Masaryk University. 14. Izgarjan, A. & Markov, S. (2012) Alice Walker's Womanism: Perspective past and present. Gender Studies Journal, 11(1). 15. Praseedha G.( 2010). In search of a black female self: A study of the autobiographies. and select works of Zora Neale Hurston and Maya Angelou. University of Calicut, Department of English, Mercy College Palakkad
THE POETICS OF BLACK FEMINISTIC NARRATIVE 22 16. Naderi, L. & Amelirad, A. & Amerlirad, S. (2013) Maya Angelou’s quest for an identity as a female black voice. Iran: Master in English Language and Literature, Islamic Azad University, Marivan Branch, Kurdistan. retrieved from http://wwww.sciencepub.net/researcher 17. Paramita, Prajnya, A. (2012) Sexuality as Seen in Maya Angelou’s Poems, “Woman Me”, “Phenomenal Woman”, and “Seven Women’s Blessed Assurance” 18. Pelayo, G. E.(2016 - 17) A MINORITY WITHIN A MINORITY:A Study of the African American Women Based on Maya Angelou’s Autobiography I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings. Spain: University of Valladolid retrieved from https://uvadoc.uva.es 19. Janouskova, P. (2005) Theme of Survival in Maya Angelou's Poetry. Brno: Masaryk University.. retrieved from https://is.muni.cz 20. Permatasari, IE. (2016) AN ANALYSIS OF FEMINISM IN MAYA ANGELOU’S POEMS BY USING HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL APPROACHES. Indonesia: University of Malang retrieve from https://media.neliti.com 21. Mills, S. (1995). Feminist Stylistics. New York : Routledge. 22. Mills, S. (2003). Feminist Postcolonial Theory: a reader. New York : Routledge 23. Angelou, M. (1994) The Complete Collected Poems of Maya Angelou. New York: Random House, Inc.

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The poetics of black feministic narrative: A Literary nalysis of Maya Angelou's Poetry

  • 1. 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
  • 2. 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
  • 3. 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
  • 4. 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
  • 5. 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
  • 6. 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’.
  • 7. 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".
  • 8. 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.
  • 9. THE POETICS OF BLACK FEMINISTIC NARRATIVE 9 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.
  • 10. 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
  • 11. THE POETICS OF BLACK FEMINISTIC NARRATIVE 11 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
  • 12. 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)
  • 13. THE POETICS OF BLACK FEMINISTIC NARRATIVE 13 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
  • 14. 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
  • 15. 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)
  • 16. 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.
  • 17. 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
  • 18. 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
  • 19. 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
  • 20. 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 1. Genette, G. (2005) Essays in Aesthetics, United States. University of Nebraska Press. 2. Crenshaw, K. (1989). Demarginalizing the Intersection of Race and Sex: A Black Feminist Critique of Antidiscrimination Doctrine, Feminist Theory and Antiracist Politics 3. Collins, P. (2015) Intersections of Race, Class, Gender, and Nation: Some Implications for Black Family Studies. Journal of Comparative Family Studies. 4. Collins, P. (2000) Black Feminist Thought: Knowledge, Consciousness, and the Politics of Empowerment. 2nd ed. New York: Routledge.
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