Maya Angelou's time period was 1971, while also having experienced a lifetime of racism and struggle as a Black woman, Ray Bradbury's time period was in 1947, just two years after the end of World War II, and at a time when people had begun to recognize the destructive potential of technology.

Question

How do you think the intended audience of the time might have influenced each author’s language choices?
(Identify words, phrases, or ideas that might reflect the values, beliefs, or norms of that period.)

Answer 1

Maya Angelou and Ray Bradbury, as influential writers within their respective eras, utilized language and themes that resonated with the values, beliefs, and social norms of their times. Analyzing their works reveals how the intended audience of each period influenced their language choices.

Maya Angelou (1971)

Maya Angelou’s work, particularly in "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" (published in 1969), reflects the civil rights movement and the struggles faced by African Americans. The intended audience, largely comprised of individuals engaged in or aware of the fight for social justice, influenced her use of language in several ways:

1. Empowerment and Resilience: Angelou often employs terms of strength, resilience, and empowerment. Phrases like “I rise” or “the caged bird sings” capture a spirit of resistance and hope that resonated with an audience fighting for civil rights and equality.

2. Personal Narrative and Authenticity: Her choice to use personal experiences, including vivid and descriptive imagery related to her upbringing, speaks to the audience's desire for authenticity. Words reflecting her childhood, like “trauma,” “racism,” and “identity,” connect deeply with readers familiar with those societal issues.

3. Community and Solidarity: Angelou’s use of collective language often emphasizes community. Phrases that invoke the idea of shared struggle or communal history highlight the unity sought in the civil rights movement ("we," "our stories").

4. Cultural Heritage: Through references to African American culture, including music, folklore, and spirituality, Angelou reflects the values of pride in one’s heritage, a significant theme during the 1970s as African Americans explored and affirmed their cultural identity.

Ray Bradbury (1947)

Ray Bradbury, especially in works like "The Martian Chronicles" (published in 1950), wrote in the aftermath of World War II, a time of technological advancement juxtaposed with societal reflection. His language reflects both fascination and caution regarding technology, influenced by the anxieties of the post-war audience:

1. Technological Critique: Words and phrases associated with technology often carry a sense of foreboding. Terms like “machine,” “control,” and “destruction” reflect societal fears about the future of humanity in the face of technological advancement and potential nuclear disaster.

2. Exploration and Imagination: Bradbury’s use of imaginative and poetic language appeals to a longing for exploration and discovery during a time when space exploration was becoming a reality. Phrases that evoke wonder and curiosity emphasize the human spirit's quest beyond Earth, appealing to a hopeful audience.

3. Humanism and Empathy: In contrast to the mechanization of society, Bradbury often used language that emphasized human emotion and connection. Phrases focusing on relationships, memory, and nostalgia reflect a broader cultural desire for compassion in a rapidly changing world.

4. Social Commentary: His works frequently comment on censorship and conformity, resonating with an audience wary of totalitarianism and the loss of individuality. Words associated with fear of oppression, such as “silence,” “fear,” and “dominance,” reflect the values of liberty and free expression that were gaining importance at the time.

Conclusion

Both Maya Angelou and Ray Bradbury crafted their language to resonate with the values and norms of their respective periods. Angelou’s empowering and culturally rich vocabulary spoke to the fight against racism and the affirmation of identity, while Bradbury’s reflective and cautionary narrative explored the duality of technological advancement as both a promise and a threat in the post-war context. Their language choices not only conveyed their messages but also engaged and inspired their audiences, reflecting the complexities of the social landscapes of their times.