Cydney Funk

Curmano

Honors English

4 February 2015

Strength

Maya Angelou, an African American poet, experienced racial prejudice that influenced

her writing. At the age of seven, Angelou experienced rape by her mothers boyfriend, causing

her uncles to kill the boyfriend. After that experience she did not talk for years. Also, Angelous

firsthand experience with racism triggered numerous poems, such as Still I Rise. Angelous

triumphant tone and theme, nothing should stop a person from rising above obstacles, is applied

through similes, metaphors, and rhyming.

One strong device used to display theme is similes. Cause I walk like Ive got oil wells

pumping in my living room (7-8) is one of the similes used in the poem. Oil wells are steadfast,

and will continue pumping, no matter the conditions. The comparison really helps the reader

gather that Angelou will keep on regardless of what occurs. Angelou also uses metaphors like

Im a black ocean, leaping and wide, welling and swelling I bear in the tide (33-34). Oceans

are vast and powerful, leaving them nothing to fear. Also, black ocean implies that Angelou

does not let her ethnicity affect her potential. In addition, rhyming such as Does it come as a

surprise that I dance like Ive got diamonds at the meeting of my thighs (26-28) is used.

Rhyming makes the poem flow smoother, the same way a triumphant person walks.The devices

put together give the poem strength, as it would take to overcome obstacles.

The triumphant tone of the poem also contributes to the theme. One word that showed the

tone clearly was certainty(10). The word has a strong connotation, showing the confidence of
the speaker. To be able to triumph, individuals must believe in themselves. Words such as

springing(11), and leaping (33) show energy. The words provide an image of someone

rising above all. This shows the theme, of overcoming obstacles regardless of what blocks the

path. Lastly, rise(43) showcases the tone. Rise is repeated a lot in the poem, with good

reason. It shows that the idea is to rise against and conquer all. The triumphant tone clarifies the

theme by embracing the idea of triumphing.

Clearly, the events Maya Angelou overcame impacted her writing. Angelou endured

many painful events, such as murder and rape. Eventually, Angelou decided to move on with her

life and begin talking again. Angelou learned the hard way that pain has to be overcome. Her

poem Still I Rise showcased this lesson, pain is painful, but no matter what, obstacles can be

overcome.