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What does the child not fear in the new classroom according to the poem Life doesn't frighten me

Answer 1

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Analysis of Poem "Life Doesn't Frighten Me" by Maya Angelou

Updated on January 23, 2018



Andrew Spacey 

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Andrew has a keen interest in all aspects of poetry and writes extensively on the subject. His poems are published online and in print.

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Maya Angelou | Source

Maya Angelou and Life Doesn't Frighten Me

Life Doesn't Frighten Me is a simple, repetitive poem that is written from a child's perspective, the speaker going over things in her life that she has to overcome to move on.

It is a series of loosely connected images tied up with mostly full end rhymes and a repeated refrain which reinforces the idea that, despite what we encounter in life, we do not have to be afraid.

Maya Angelou published this poem in 1993 and it became the title of the book it appeared in, a collaborative effort with artist Jean-Michel Basquiat. His dark and powerful pictures are loved by many, but a minority think them too strong for Angelou's uplifting words.

The poem remains popular and is a standard work taught in many schools and colleges. The short, lyrical stanzas lend themselves to drama and performance and often they are used for a stage monologue or similar work, where the emotions can surface.

This is in line with Maya Angelou's general view of life :

'I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.'

Life Doesn't Frighten Me suggests that there is a way to overcome fear. Bravado is one thing, but if we are brave and work on a strategy we can get through to the other side and come up smiling. for real. We might need a magical charm to help us but we'll get there because there is nothing to fear, at all.

With an altered rhythm and easy rhyme this poem is arguably best read out loud and best performed by younger people. Watch out for a break in the beat and an altered rhyme late on in the poem.

All is explained below.

Life Doesn't Frighten Me

Answer 2

What does the child not fear in the new classroom according to the poem Life doesn't frighten me