Woman work - Short Summary

  Women Work - Maya Angelou

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Introduction: 

    The poem woman work was published in the year 1978,in her collection of poem Still I rise, expresses the themes of daily struggles and chaotic situations a woman overcome in their life. This poem particularly highlights the household chores a woman deal with, yearns for relief with the help of nature, seeking comfort in it. 

The chores,chaos :

    The speaker discusses her several responsibilities, including tending to the children, mending garments, tidying the floor, and engaging in grocery shopping. Subsequently, she is required to engage in many tasks such as cooking, changing the baby's diaper, feeding the guests, tending to the yard, ironing the clothes, dressing the children, cleaning the humble dwelling she resides in, attending to the ill, harvesting cotton, and harvesting sugar cane.   

Seeking comfort in nature : 

    The speaker implores nature to aid in her emotional well-being. She says:

Shine on me, 

sunshine Rain on me, 

rain Fall softly, 

dewdrops And cool my brow again

    Her desire is for the sun to illuminate her, the rain to descend softly, and the dewdrops to refresh her face once more.  As the storm intensifies, she commands the winds to transport her away from this location and across the skies until she can find respite once more. In order to ensure a peaceful night's sleep, she beseeches the white snowflakes to gently envelop her, as if bestowing chilly kisses onto her. 

    The speaker in her last stanza says:

Sun, rain, curving sky 

Mountain, oceans, leaf and stone 

Star shine, moon glow 

You're all that I can call my own.

    The speaker perceives the mountains, seas, woods, dazzling stars, moonlight, sun, rain, and the arc of the sky as the sole possessions that actually belong to her.  

Conclusion : 

    Maya in this poem "Women Work" writes about the responsibilities, strength of a woman, ability to manage her situation. We could sense the high level of feminine spirit thro' out the poem. This poem beautifully captures the myriad responsibilities and tasks that women, especially women of color, often undertake. It reflects on the daily grind, the nurturing role, and the longing for rest and tranquility amidst life's demands. Angelou's imagery and rhythm evoke a sense of both struggle and resilience, portraying the strength and endurance of women in the face of adversity.

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