Maya Angelou's African American Dream
Maya Angelou and her African American Dream Maya Angelou is one of the most distinguished African American writers of the twentieth century. Writing is not her only forte she is a poet, director, composer, lyricist, dancer, singer, journalist, teacher, and lecturer (Angelou and Tate, 3). Angelou’s American Dream is articulated throughout her five part autobiographical novels; I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Gather Together in my Name, Singin’ and Swingin’ and Getting’ Merry Like Christmas, The Heart of a Woman, and All God’s Children Need Traveling Shoes. Maya Angelou’s American Dream changed throughout her life: in I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings Maya’s American dream was to fit into a predominantly white society in small town Arkansas, she dreamed of one day waking up from her”black ugly dream” (Bloom, 2); and looking in the mirror and seeing a white girl, with straight blonde hair, wearing a beautiful Easter dress. She struggles to accept herself, and recounts the struggles of African Americans in the South, and their fight for equality in American society. Next, in Gather Together in my Name and Singin’ and Swingin’ and Getting’ Merry Like Christmas; Maya struggles with being a single mother, and fulfilling her American Dream to provide a picturesque household for her son during the post World War II era. She searches for the perfect husband, who will provide the perfect home and life for her child, and she makes many sacrifices along the way. Finally, in The Heart of a Woman, and All God’s Children Need Travelling Shoes Angelou’s American dream starts maturing, as she realizes that her dream has been for a place to call home for herself, her child, and her people(African Americans); but she comes to the realization that this search often ends in disappointment. Angelou also discovers that her son is going through the same feelings of displacement that she experienced when she was a young girl. She is heartbroken because her past is coming back
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