Maria Clara L.

Lobregat National High School

Divisoria, Zamboanga City

Rising Above the Norms: A Critique of Maya Angelou’s ‘Still I Rise'

Reading and Writing Skills

11 – Farrimond
Lyca Luna,
Carna Lacona,
Kyla Laya,
Aangela Marcial,
Christine Macario,
Nathaniel Resurrection and,
Danny Sarte

Presented to

Ms. Karen Falcasantos

SH Adviser

May 31, 2023

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Introduction

The poem “Still I Rise” was written by Maya Angelou, an American poet, memoirist, and
civil rights activist. Angelou was born in St. Louis, Missouri in 1928 and experienced
racism and discrimination throughout her life. Her diverse career included working as a
singer, actress, and journalist, as well as writing and teaching. She became known for her
autobiographical works, including her critically acclaimed memoir “I Know Why the Caged
Bird Sings.” Angelou received numerous honors and awards for her writing and advocacy
work and remains a celebrated and influential figure in American literature and culture.
Maya Angelou’s poem “Still I Rise” is a powerful and inspiring piece of literature that has
stood the test of time. Published in 1978, It became an anthem for the Civil Rights
Movement and has been a source of inspiration for generations. The poem is a
celebration of the human spirit and a call to rise against oppression. The title itself is a
statement of defiance, suggesting that no matter what obstacles come our way, we can
rise above them. The poem is a celebration of black culture and the resilience of the
African-American community. It is a tribute to the strength and perseverance of those who
have faced discrimination and injustice. Maya Angelou’s declaration to rise above
challenges establishes her as a robust individual. The central message of the poem is
evident from the start – we have the power within us to overcome anything that life throws
at us. The poem begins with Angelou acknowledging that she has been beaten down and
trodden on by society. However, she then quickly asserts that this will not break her spirit
or force her to give up on her dreams. Instead, she will rise above it all and come out
stronger on the other side.
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Maya Angelou’s “Still I Rise” is a call to rise above any obstacle, discrimination, or
oppression that one may face. The poem is an anthem of hope and resilience, and it
celebrates the strength and perseverance of the African American community, as well as
all those who have faced discrimination and injustice. Throughout the poem, Angelou
uses various literary devices, such as repetition, imagery, and rhetorical questions to
emphasize her point. She repeats the phrase “I rise” throughout the poem, which serves
as an anthem of hope and defiance against oppression. She also uses imagery, such as
comparing herself to dust, to emphasize that no matter what happens, she will rise again.
The poem speaks to the history of African American culture, and the struggles that the
community has faced throughout history. The poem, ‘Still I Rise,’ is not only a
proclamation of her own determination to rise above society but was also a call to others
to live above the society in which they were brought up. Still I Rise’ is an empowering
poem about the struggle to overcome prejudice and injustice. It is one of Maya Angelou’s
most famous and popular poems. When read by victims of wrongdoing, the poem
becomes a kind of anthem, a beacon of hope for the oppressed and downtrodden. It is a
reminder of the abuses of power by those who sit in government, the judiciary, the military,
and the police force. For members of the public, it sends out a clear, repeated message
of hope. No matter the circumstances, there must always be hope to cling to. Angelou
mentions slavery and segregation, as well as the discrimination that people continue to
face today. She acknowledges that the road to equality is long and difficult, but she
encourages her readers to rise and keep fighting.

The author Maya Angelou writes with a bold, confident style in “Still I Rise,” using powerful
language and repetition to emphasize her message of resilience and perseverance in the
face of adversity. She uses imagery and metaphors to describe the struggles and
challenges she has faced as a Black woman, but also emphasizes the strength and
determination required to overcome them. The language of the text is clear and direct,
with simple and accessible phrases that resonate with a wide range of readers. Angelou’s
use of repetition adds emphasis and reinforces the main message of the poem. She also
uses figurative language, such as metaphors and similes, to describe the struggles she
has faced and how she has been able to overcome them. The writer’s purpose in “Still I
Rise” is to inspire and empower her readers, particularly those who have experienced
discrimination or marginalization, to rise above their circumstances and overcome their
challenges. Through her words, Angelou urges the reader to embrace their own worth
and to believe in their own strength, regardless of the obstacles they may face. The poem
is a call to action and an affirmation of the human spirit’s ability to persevere in the face
of adversity. The overall purpose of the poem is to inspire and empower those facing
oppression and discrimination.
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The comparison between Still I Rise and the A Caged Bird Maya Angelou wrote the well-
known poem Still I Rise in 1978. The poem’s intended themes of racism and gender are
evident in the text, was. Throughout the poem, Maya records every thing that she has
been told And called throughout her life, including disgusting, depressing, and put-down
remarks. However, Maya assures us that she will continue regardless of how cruel the
remarks are. The poem’s tone is motivating, Assurance and self-confidence that is
reflected in the poem. Maya is making an effort to spread the word so that those who
would try to bring her down know that their rear would find cause her to stumble. The
phrases Maya used to influence pry because they make you feel what she has been
feeling and what she has been through. Maya uses repetition in the conclusion it works
quite well. The techniques utilized in this poem include metaphors and similes. For
Instance, she states in one section, “But still, like air, I rise,” indicating That no matter how
many hurtful words or other actions are directed at her, Maya will always rise and
overcome the obstacles placed in her path, while the Caged Bird sings the first book of a
seven-volume series written by Maya Angelou and is based on her life, or what many
refer to as her autobiography. It was published in 1969. It has been claimed that this is a
“coming age” that demonstrates how courage and a passion for books can triumph
against prejudice, trauma, and hatred. The justification for the caged bird aspect of the
story Is based on the sad way in which Maya becomes a victim of racism but decides to
ignore it and carry on writing. The tone of this poem is one of around for a bird who is
unable to fly through the air and experience the breeze in his wings. Even with shackles
around his legs, the imprisoned bird (the caged bird) displays or feels his desire to fly and
experience the breeze beneath his wings. The wording used in this poem is highly
effective because it puts you in their situation, helps you feel how the imprisoned bird
feels, and encourages you to never give up no matter what circumstances you have faced
or are now facing. The method utilized in this poetry is a metaphor discovered when she
compares wind with water, as the way she explains using downstream and current makes
people think of the sea or ocean with the tides.

In conclusion, Maya Angelou’s stated that she used the poem to sustain herself in hard
times. This argues that no matter what happens, we have the power to rise above our
circumstances and make a difference in the world. Maya Angelou’s words serve as a
reminder that we have the strength within us to overcome adversity and that we should
never give up hope. The poem she writes is a powerful message of resilience and hope,
and it continues to inspire people around the world today. The poem “Still I Rise” is her
declaration that she, would not allow the hatefulness of society to determine her success.
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“Still I Rise” is a powerful and inspiring poem that celebrates the resilience and strength
of the human spirit. Throughout the poem, Angelou uses the metaphor of rising to convey
her message of empowerment. She compares herself to a bird with clipped wings, a wave
that rises and falls, and the sun that rises each day. These images signify the cyclical
nature of life, and Angelou asserts that no matter how many times she is knocked down,
she will always success.

To further enhance the analysis of Maya Angelou’s poem “Still I Rise,” it would be
beneficial to delve deeper into the specific literary devices and techniques used by the
poet. Throughout the poem, Angelou utilizes powerful metaphors, vivid imagery,
repetition, and rhetorical questions to convey her message of empowerment and
resilience. By providing more detailed examples of these devices and their impact on the
overall message and tone of the poem, the analysis will become more comprehensive
and insightful. For instance, explore how Angelou compares herself to a bird with clipped
wings, a wave that rises and falls, and the sun that rises each day. These metaphors
symbolize the cyclical nature of life and emphasize the indomitable spirit within the poet.
By analyzing the significance of these metaphors, you can highlight the theme of rising
above adversity and the unwavering determination expressed throughout the poem.
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References

Amy Tikkanen. “Maya Angelou”. Britannica, 2013

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Maya-Angelou
Accessed 25 May 2023.
Sarra Kettler. “Maya Angelou: The Meaning Behind Her
Poem “Still I Rise”. Bibliography, 2021.
https://www.biography.com/authors-writers/maya-
angelou-still-i-rise Accessed 25 May 2023.
Allisa Corfman. “Still I Rise by Maya Angelou”. Poem
Analysis, 2023. https://poemanalysis.com/maya-
angelou/still-i-rise/ Accessed 27 May 2023.
Allisa Corfman. “A Caged Bird by Maya Angelou”. Poem
Analysis, 2023. https://poemanalysis.com/maya-
angelou/caged-bird/ Accessed 27 May 2023.
Jessica Scott, Jacob Belknap. “Maya Angelou’s Writing
Style”. Study.com, 2022.
https://study.com/academy/lesson/maya-angelou-styles-
of-writing-poetry. Accessed 30 May 2023.