16 pages 32 minutes read

Maya Angelou

A Brave And Startling Truth

Nonfiction | Poem | Adult | Published in 1995

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Further Reading & Resources

Related Poems

On the Pulse of Morning” by Maya Angelou (1993)

Maya Angelou’s first public poem, performed for President Bill Clinton’s inauguration in 1993, also uses contemporary social issues to communicate themes of change and hope.

Caged Bird” by Maya Angelou (1983)

One of Angelou’s most famous poems, this can be read as a compression of her memoir I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. The poet uses birds as an extended metaphor for struggles similar to those reflected in “A Brave and Startling Truth.”

Kindness” by Naomi Shihab Nye (1980)

This poem conveys similar themes to “A Brave and Startling Truth,” as its speaker dreams of hope in times of tragedy and the power of humanity to create a better world.

Further Literary Resources

This article explores some of the cultural context surrounding the poem, including its inclusion on the Orion spacecraft in 2014.

This New York Times profile examines Angelou’s historical role as a poet reciting her work during the inauguration of President Bill Clinton.

Related Titles

By Maya Angelou

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All God's Children Need Traveling Shoes

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All God's Children Need Traveling Shoes

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A Song Flung Up to Heaven

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A Song Flung Up to Heaven

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Gather Together in My Name

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Gather Together in My Name

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Letter to My Daughter

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Letter to My Daughter

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Mom & Me & Mom

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Mom & Me & Mom

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Mother, A Cradle to Hold Me

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Mother, A Cradle to Hold Me

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On the Pulse of Morning

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On the Pulse of Morning

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Phenomenal Woman

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Phenomenal Woman

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The Heart of a Woman

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The Heart of a Woman

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The Lesson

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The Lesson

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