Touched By An Angel - Maya Angelou
We, unaccustomed to courage
exiles from delight
live coiled in shells of loneliness
until love leaves its high holy temple
and comes into our sight
to liberate us into life.
Love arrives
and in its train come ecstasies
old memories of pleasure
ancient histories of pain.
Yet if we are bold,
love strikes away the chains of fear
from our souls.
We are weaned from our timidity
In the flush of love’s light
we dare be brave
And suddenly we see
that love costs all we are
and will ever be.
Yet it is only love
which sets us free
Thesis: Angelou uses imagery, personification, as well as the form of free verse poetry to convey her message of the possibility of growth through love.
Background Information:
Maya Angelou (originally Marguerite Ann Johnson) was born on April 4th 1928. She has written many autobiographies, focusing mainly on her childhood. She was one of the first African American women to publicly discuss her personal life, and because of this, is a highly respected spokesperson for African American people, especially women. She was a single mother, yet it appears she had a few romances throughout her life.
1.) Why do you think Angelou presents the poem in a continuous manner, instead of breaking the poem into stanzas? Does this have an effect on the delivery of the poem?
2.) From lines 11-21, the mood of the poem seems to alter every few lines. Why do you think Angelou set the poem up so it contradicts itself. Do you think she meant for "...that love costs all we are, and will ever be." to come across as a good thing, or bad?
3.) Is "Touched By An Angel" a suitable title? Do you think every person who has been in love could claim they have been "Touched By An Angel"?
4.) Is there any moments in the poem you feel stood out to you, whether it be that line causing an image to form in your head, or the line seeming awkward? Why?
5.) In your opinion, does Maya Angelou mean for the poem to be taken literally? Do you believe she meant for the poem to be uplifting, or perhaps sarcastic?
Great job Sam! :)
ReplyDeleteGood job on your presentation <:-), In regards question four " Is there any moments in the poem you feel stood out to you, whether it be that line causing an image to form in your head, or the line seeming awkward? Why?". I think that the lines " love strikes away the chains of fear/ from our soul" means that if you like someone and they actually like you back then it's a perfect match. So to clarify if you have been heartbroken you will be afraid to like someone again , but if you find your perfect match then you will not fear love. I don't know if this is correct but that just came to my head.
ReplyDeleteI am sad I missed your presentation. I am sure that you did a great job. The poem is very good and I wish I had been there for the discussion.
ReplyDeleteThank you everyone! I agree with what you're saying, Jason. That question was very opinion orientated, so there really is no wrong answer. Thank you for the input!
ReplyDeleteJamie, I'm sad as well. You always have a positive and insightful outlook on the poem, I think you would have enjoyed it.