Existential Humanism in Maya Angelou’s Poetry: Human Values in Poetic Expression

Abstract

Maya Angelou’s (1928-2014) poetry extends beyond depicting the individual’s inner world; it leads readers into profound contemplation, illustrating the responsibility inherent in personal choices and the significance of self-formation through poetic imagery. Her works consistently employ motifs of freedom, resilience, and renewal that transcend personal experience and illuminate fundamental questions of human existence. Angelou’s poetic language functions not only as an aesthetic medium but also as a conceptual model for internal turmoil and emotional and spiritual transformation. Her oeuvre integrates themes of self-awareness, inner freedom, and accountability for personal choices on both aesthetic and philosophical levels. Each image and metaphor in her poems, consistent with the principles of existential humanism, conveys questions of existence and moral development. As a result, Angelou’s work serves as a vital literary resource for understanding inner and spiritual growth and the complexity of existence. In this context, existential humanism enables poetic reflection on freedom, moral responsibility, and the profound questions of being. Angelou’s poetry thus guides readers through the nuanced layers of the human spirit, prompting the exploration of life’s deeper meanings. Keywords: poetic language, existential humanism, existence, responsibility, spiritual development