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Still I Rise by Maya Angelou

            After extensive research I have come across a poem that I believe to be "the best poem in the world." Still I Rise written by Maya Angelou is an inspirational poem symbolizing defiance and her strength to overcome negative criticism and oppression. There are many references to slavery and feminist rights throughout the piece that have a very powerful effect. She uses various amounts of poetic devices to further encapsulate the theme in this poem. These include the use of imagery, symbolism, metaphors and similes along with numerous sound devices. .
             Maya Angelou utilized figurative imagery to exemplify the sad reality, which was the oppression of African Americans during slavery along with the mistreatment of women. "You may trod me in the very dirt But still, like dust, I'll rise." (3-4) In relation to the past events of slavery and the manner in which women were treated, these lines portray an image of poorly treated races and sexes being walked all over. The word choice "Trod" and "Dirt" have connotative meanings because the majority of people would associate these words with animals. The poet is not meaning this literally, where as she is really figuratively comparing the culprits of this mistreatment to animals. There are many other examples of figurative imagery in this poem such as comparing "Oil Wells" (7), "Gold" (19) and "Diamonds" to these women and slaves. This use of imagery is used because all of these minerals are now valued higher then they were in the past. Along with figurative imagery, Maya also uses literal imagery often throughout the poem. "Did you want to see me broken? Bowed head and lowered eyes? Shoulders falling down like teardrops. Weakened by my soulful cries." (13-16) Angelou tends to the readers' senses during this stanza, particularly of sight, by portraying an image of defeat. The "soulful cries" (16) further strengthen this image by adding the sense of sound.


Essays Related to Still I Rise by Maya Angelou

1. Still I Rise by Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou's poem "Still I Rise," portrays a strong theme of never letting anyone or anything in life bring us down. ... "Still I Rise", is an inspirational poem with an end rhyme scheme, where words in every other line tend to rhyme. ... "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" In the stanza above Maya Angelou rhymes the words "lies" and "rise" . ... Maya Angelou does an exceptional job of using similes in her poem to make comparisons. ... "...

  • Word Count: 644
  • Approx Pages: 3
  • Grade Level: High School

2. Maya Angelou

Throughout her work, she transforms from the meek and insecure Marguerite Johnson in I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings, to the self-confident and intelligent Maya Angelou that is reflected in her book of poems, And Still I Rise. ... Maya's first collection of poetry, Just Give Me A Cool Drink Of Water Fore' I Diiie, was published in 1971. ... "These poems in their sensitive treatment of both love and black identity are the poet's own defense against the incredible odds in the game of life- (Bloom1 210) Maya's collection of poetry And Still I Rise, vividly reflects the ...

  • Word Count: 1347
  • Approx Pages: 5
  • Grade Level: High School

3. Still I Rise

Maya Angelou: Still I Rise Maya Angelo was quoted in an article in Essence: African American Politicians Interviews, as saying " The power that I have first comes directly from being a descendent of people whose powerful history makes me humble. ... The power of the poem "Still I Rise" is derived from Maya Angelou's powerful sense of humility (not modesty) of who she is and glorifying in it. ... The phrase "Still I Rise", and "I rise are used repeatedly through out the poem. ... You may trod me in the very dirt but still like dust I rise." ... I rise, I rise, I rise." ...

  • Word Count: 694
  • Approx Pages: 3
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: High School

4. Maya Angelou

--Maya Angelou Authoress, poet, playwright, editor, songwriter, singer, teacher, and dancer, Maya Angelou easily fits into all these categories. ... Angelou also writes the play, And Still I Rise. ... Maya Angelou's life, she is very well known and respected. ... On her way to publishing her third volume of poetry, And Still I Rise, and her fourth work in her autobiographical series, The Heart of a Woman, Maya earn a Golden Eagle Award and a Tony nomination for her role in "Roots". ... Maya Angelou writes what she knows. ...

  • Word Count: 1266
  • Approx Pages: 5
  • Grade Level: High School

5. Still I Rise: An Analytical Pe

In her popular poem "Still I Rise", Ms Angelou speaks of the crippling affects that darker skin can have on not only a person's image but their character. ... Cause I walk like I've got oil wells pumping in my living room" (Angelou, Still I Rise). ... It would not have been enough to say only once that "Still I Rise." ... So as not to coerce the reader she places either the phrase "Still I Rise" or "I Rise" about five stanzas apart. ... Only she could put it so beautifully: "Still I Rise, Still I Rise, Still I Rise." ...

  • Word Count: 1199
  • Approx Pages: 5
  • Grade Level: High School

6. Maya Angelou: The Voice of Her People

Maya Angelou is an American author and poet. ... Maya Angelou was born on April 4th, 1928, in St. ... "Still I Rise" is probably Angelou's best-known poem. ... From the beginning of the poem, she tells the readers that no matter what evils are done to her and her race they will still rise. ... Angelou's work and life story inspires people to rise in any situation....

  • Word Count: 783
  • Approx Pages: 3
  • Grade Level: High School

7. Maya angelou

She produced "Cabaret of Freedom" in 1960, and directed "And Still I Rise" in 1998. ... Angelou also took up acting. ... I can go on writing about Maya and her life experiences for pages on end. ... She continues to achieve goals and still writes passionately to this day. ... Maya Angelou, the poetic, literary genius. ...

  • Word Count: 1253
  • Approx Pages: 5
  • Grade Level: High School

8. Life and Works of Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou is a well-recognized American author, primarily from the period of the Civil Rights Movement, where she participated as an activist. ... The paper presents an analysis of Maya Angelou through researching her cultural context and how it helps readers to understand her work, influences among writers, her writing style applied to I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, her theories about literature and writing, and critical reception of the writers work. Maya Angelou's was an African American, thus shared the totality of meanings, ideas, and beliefs with the black Americans. ... Maya ...

  • Word Count: 1524
  • Approx Pages: 6
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

9. Phenomenal Woman

I accept this honor- (Angelou, Essence). ... Maya Angelou defines phenomenal as "outstanding, and excellent- (Angelou). ... Now 72, Angelou is the author of many books and novels, including And Still I Rise, and The Heart of a Woman, and I Shall Not Be Moved. ... "I am a still that girl in Stamps, Arkansas. A part of me is still that girl,"" said Angelou. ...

  • Word Count: 1257
  • Approx Pages: 5
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: High School

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