Speak: Understanding Allusions
Name:
Allusion: Maya Angelou
When Melinda covers the mirror in her closet at school with a poster of Maya Angelou, this famous poet and author
takes on an important role in Melinda’s journey, becoming her mentor.
Why did Laurie Halse Anderson choose to create an allusion to Maya Angelou rather than another author?
Complete the following in order to understand how the allusion to Maya Angelou enhances our understanding of
Melinda Sordino.
Step 1 : Listen to poet Maya Angelou read her poem “Phenomenal Woman.” There is a copy of the poem
below if you would like to follow along.
Phenomenal Woman
By Maya Angelou
Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I’m telling lies.
I say,
It’s in the reach of my arms,
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.
I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It’s the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.
Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can’t touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them,
They say they still can’t see.
I say,
It’s in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.
Now you understand
Just why my head’s not bowed.
I don’t shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing,
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It’s in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need for my care.
’Cause I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me
Describe your impressions of the poet Maya Angelou based on her reading of this poem.
Bullet 3-4 key ideas.
Step 2: Partner reading - Read and annotate the following brief biography of Maya Angelou.
1. The first reader should start by reading the first paragraph, while his/her partner looks for
and takes notes in the margins on the following:
a. What connections can you make between this text and the themes of Speak:
Survival, Identity, and Communication.
b. What details contribute to Maya Angelou as a mentor for Melinda?
2. The reader should pause after reading the paragraph, and his/her partner should share
observations related to thematic connections and Maya Angelou as a mentor. The reader
should add a note in the margin of this paragraph.
3. Switch roles. While the new reader reads paragraph 2, his /her partner should prepare to
share observations about themes and mentorship. Share after the paragraph is read, taking
notes in the margins.
4. Continue to switch roles until the excerpt is read.
5. Complete the summarizing activity.
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Maya Angelou Biography
Poet, Author, Civil Rights Activist (1928–2014)
Maya Angelou is a poet and award-winning author known for her acclaimed
memoir I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings and her numerous poetry and essay
collections.
Born on April 4, 1928, in St. Louis, Missouri, writer and civil rights activist Maya
Angelou is known for her 1969 memoir, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, which
made literary history as the first nonfiction best-seller by an African-American
woman. In 1971, Angelou published the Pulitzer Prize-nominated poetry
collection Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water 'Fore I Die. She later wrote the poem
"On the Pulse of Morning"—one of her most famous works—which she recited at
President Bill Clinton's inauguration in 1993. Angelou received several honors
throughout her career, including two NAACP Image Awards in the outstanding
literary work (nonfiction) category, in 2005 and 2009. She died on May 28, 2014.
Multi-talented barely seems to cover the depth and breadth of Maya
Angelou's accomplishments. She was an author, actress, screenwriter, dancer and
poet. Born Marguerite Annie Johnson, Angelou had a difficult childhood. Her parents
split up when she was very young, and she and her older brother, Bailey, were sent
to live with their father's mother, Anne Henderson, in Stamps, Arkansas.
As an African American, Angelou experienced firsthand racial prejudices and
discrimination in Arkansas. She also suffered at the hands of a family associate
around the age of 7: During a visit with her mother, Angelou was raped by her
mother's boyfriend. Then, as vengeance for the sexual assault, Angelou's uncles
killed the boyfriend. So traumatized by the experience, Angelou stopped talking. She
returned to Arkansas and spent years as a virtual mute
As an adult, Angelou wrote several autobiographies throughout her career,
including All God's Children Need Traveling Shoes (1986) and A Song Flung Up to
Heaven (2002), but 1969's I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings continues to be
regarded as her most popular autobiographical work. She also published several
collections of poetry, including Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water 'Fore I Die (1971),
which was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize.
One of Angelou's most famous works is the poem "On the Pulse of Morning,"
which she wrote especially for and recited at President Bill Clinton's inaugural
ceremony in January 1993—marking the first inaugural recitation since 1961, when
Robert Frost delivered his poem "The Gift Outright" at President John F. Kennedy's
inauguration. Angelou went on to win a Grammy Award (best spoken word album)
for the audio version of the poem.
Source: “Maya Angelou.” Bio. 2014. http://www.biography.com/people/mayaangelou-9185388#synopsis
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Summarizing Activity:
1.
Identify 2-3 key facts or ideas in the article that would explain why Laurie Halse
Anderson chooses to allude to Maya Angelou in her novel Speak.
2.
Why is Maya Angelou a good mentor for Melinda?
3.
What do we understand about Melinda as a result of this allusion? Explain.