Feminist Rights in Maya Angelou's "Still I Rise," "Men," "Phenomenal Woman," "Woman Work," and "Equality"

Literature refers to written works that have artistic or intellectual value, often using language in creative and expressive ways. It can be creative and imaginative writing, which helps readers to engage intellectually and emotionally through the written works. It can be based on someone’s own experience, struggles and hardships faced by the author, it reflects the culture, social, political and economic realities. It can be in any form like novels, dramas, prose, poems, short stories, fables and so on. It provides aesthetic pleasure to the readers. Newspapers, scholarly publications, religious texts, press releases, and spreadsheets are examples of informative works that are typically not regarded as literature. There are two types of literature: fiction and non-fiction. Literature may have both positive and harmful influences on a culture. It is an essential component of the self-realisation of man and a representation of his successes and failures. It describes the character and destination of the human being. Feminism is a political, economic, or cultural movement that aims to obtain equal rights and legal safeguards for women. It involves a variety of political, sociological, and philosophical theories dealing with issues related to gender differences. Maya Angelou explains the definition of equality of rights as the guarantee that all persons are given an equal opportunity to achieve their potential and apply their skills. She states that no one should suffer reduced life chances based on their country of origin, religion, or disability. Equality acknowledges the historical pattern of certain groups defined by race, disability, gender, and sexual orientation facing institutional discrimination. The poems “Still I Rise,” “Men,”  “Phenomenal Woman,” “Woman Work,” and “Equality” elicit the state of women and the need for feminist rights in a bold manner. Hence, this article decodes the feminist rights represented in the select poems of Maya Angelou.