Sensual imagery, repetition, rhythm, and theme are considered in this analysis of 'Woman Work' by poet Maya Angelou consisting of three pages. Two sources are cited in the bibliography.
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the works of Maya Angelou. Her universal truth surrounding her individual discoveries about the nature of a persons soul and what it means to be black and female in America.
Woman Work is a poem which addresses the womans issue of societal expectations and gender stereotypes. Angelou uses individual images strung together in a never ending rhythmic cycle which in
turn is symbolic of the never ending work rhythm of a womans life. "Ive got the children to tend
The clothes to mend The floor to mop The food to shop"(Angelou).
In these first lines in the first
stanza one can see the rhythm setting up. What is most interesting about this poem, is that if the reader emphasizes the "Ive" or "I" in every place that it
occurs, it is reminiscent of a person sighing. Quite effective. Also, the basic needs of a household are all covered in this first stanza, except for one obvious thing that
is left out: herself. "Shine on me, sunshine Rain on me, rain
Fall softly, dewdrops And cool my brow again"(Angelou)
Note that the rhythm shifts and changes in this next stanza. What is most interesting to note, as
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