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  • Essay / Explanation: On the poem about aging by Maya Angelou

    On the poem about aging by Maya Angelou, the poet describes the feelings of an aging person, who is growing old and tired. Share how older people should not be pitied or isolated just because they are getting older and tired more easily. “On Aging” teaches us that as a society we ignore our older population or treat them as if they are too fragile to do things for themselves. Maya Angelou's use of tone for this poem is what really sets this poem in motion. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay The simile in this poem Maya compares herself to a bag sitting on a shelf. So a connection that could be made from just these two lines would be that of looking at this elderly woman sitting alone, as something we want to bear and keep out of harm's way, so she can't get hurt or disturbed. Or even something we set up and relegated to the back of the shelf and forgot about. But then she quickly lets us know that we don't need to pretend to be interested in her day or even feel sorry for her just because she's old. The only way she wants us to interrupt her with her own thoughts is if we are genuinely interested and understand what she is going through. Socket! Stop! Don't pity me! Wait! Stop your sympathy! I understand if you have it, otherwise I will do without it! (5-8) As the poet grows up, things have become a little more difficult and she wants us to know her wishes: "I'll only ask a favor/Don't bring me a rocking chair" (11 -12). The rocking chair represents more than just a chair, the poet does not want to be placed in a nursing home, or tied to a wheelchair, and not be able to continue living life as she has been for the longest time possible. The poet wants us to understand that even if we walk shakily or stumble, it is not out of laziness. The poet means that just because someone leaves does not mean they are gone forever. Even though the poet has aged, his physical appearance has changed, and his bodily functions begin to deteriorate, the poet is still the same person he was when he was younger. This piece of educational literature is a great reminder of the younger generations who, while our family members or society's elders age. They my physical change with “A little less hair, a little less chin/A lot less lungs and a lot less wind” (18-19). , but emotionally they still want to be recognized as a normal person. They don't want us to feel bad or sorry for them because maybe they're a little slower or trying to relearn how to do things as they get older. They want us to understand that things may take them a little longer, but they still want the freedom to do these things on their own. Then the poet wants us to know that even though she is growing older and older, she is still happy to be alive and breathing. And that one should not try to feel obliged to try to have a conversation out of sympathy, because then the poet might seem alone. That the poet could think of herself, observe her own memories and look back on her life. All the poet really wants is understanding and compassion, and if you can't do that, then don't do anything. ReferencesRamsey, PR (1984). Transcendence: The poetry of Maya Angelou. A current business bibliography)