Form: Poem
Still I Rise by Maya Angelou
You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies, You may tread me in the very dirt But still, like dust, I'll rise. Does my sassiness upset you? Why are you beset with gloom? 'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells Pumping in my living room. Just like moons and like suns, With the certainty of tides, Just like hopes springing high, Still I'll rise. Did you want to see me broken? Bowed head and lowered eyes? Shoulders falling down like teardrops. Weakened by my soulful cries. Does my haughtiness offend you? Don't you take it awful hard 'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines Diggin' in my own back yard. You may shoot me with your words, You may cut me with your eyes, You may kill me with your hatefulness, But still, like air, I'll rise. |
Does my sexiness upset you?
Does it come as a surprise That I dance like I've got diamonds At the meeting of my thighs? Out of the huts of history's shame I rise Up from a past that's rooted in pain I rise I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide, Welling and swelling I bear in the tide. Leaving behind nights of terror and fear I rise Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear I rise Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave, I am the dream and the hope of the slave. I rise I rise I rise. |
Analysis
Why am I including this poem/song and what is it about?
This poem is written by Maya Angelou, who is an African-American poet. I chose this poem because it contains one of the most significant social issue. The poem is beautifully written and when reading it gives the strength and hope to the reader, the spirit is so strong that it controls the reader emotionally. This poem is wonderfully defiant and an uplifting cry from the African-Americans.
This poem is about how African-Americans were treated during the period of time, being slaves to the whites, and being physically and emotionally abused, but faces the oppression with positivity and overcoming it.
What is the message or main theme of the poem?
The main theme of 'Still I Rise' is racism, how black women are being treated as slaves and discriminated in America. The main message of the poem is that no matter if you are being oppressed or treated unfairly, face it with confidence and stay strong.
What is the tone (emotion) created in the poem?
The is a mixture of tones and emotion displayed in the poem, which are anger, defiant and hope.
What are the language techniques used in the poem?
This poem is written by Maya Angelou, who is an African-American poet. I chose this poem because it contains one of the most significant social issue. The poem is beautifully written and when reading it gives the strength and hope to the reader, the spirit is so strong that it controls the reader emotionally. This poem is wonderfully defiant and an uplifting cry from the African-Americans.
This poem is about how African-Americans were treated during the period of time, being slaves to the whites, and being physically and emotionally abused, but faces the oppression with positivity and overcoming it.
What is the message or main theme of the poem?
The main theme of 'Still I Rise' is racism, how black women are being treated as slaves and discriminated in America. The main message of the poem is that no matter if you are being oppressed or treated unfairly, face it with confidence and stay strong.
What is the tone (emotion) created in the poem?
The is a mixture of tones and emotion displayed in the poem, which are anger, defiant and hope.
What are the language techniques used in the poem?
Technique
Repetition
Symbolism
Metaphor
Simile
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Example
Still... I'll rise
I rise
Cause I walk like I've got oil wells
I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide... Just like moons and like suns
Shoulders falling like tear drops
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Explanation
The phrase is repeated throughout the poem. It emphasize the hope, positivity and confidence she (the poet) has despite the hardships.
This phrase is repeated throughout the last stanza of the poem. It emphasizes on the idea of she (the poet) kept standing up again no matter what.
The poet represents the confidence she has as oil wells. This means she walks confidently, like she is rich and proud. Oil wells represents money.
The poet compared 'me' to black ocean. This means that she (the poet) tolerate and endure with all the roughs.
Comparing how she (the poet) rise throughout her situation, everyday, like the moon and sun rises.
The poet compared the body language with tear drops, emphasizing the down of the emotion.
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My personal opinion of the poem
I think 'Still I Rise' is a poem that speaks for everyone in the world. It fits in every situation where people are being treated unfairly, being abused (downtrodden). The poet encourages people to endure tough times with confidence and hope. From this poem, I learnt that no matter how though or how hard it is, there's still hope if you believe and face it with positivity.
I think 'Still I Rise' is a poem that speaks for everyone in the world. It fits in every situation where people are being treated unfairly, being abused (downtrodden). The poet encourages people to endure tough times with confidence and hope. From this poem, I learnt that no matter how though or how hard it is, there's still hope if you believe and face it with positivity.