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The Idea of Feminism in Maya Angelou's "Still I

Rise"
Feminism refers to both an ideology as well as social and political movements which aim to
establish equality of the sexes. The word “feminism” (féminisme in French) was coined by the
French philosopher and utopian socialist Charles Fourier in 1837. Since then, there have been
various waves of feminism that support women’s rights to vote, own property, get an education,
receive wages equal to men, have equal rights within marriage, and many such rights and freedoms.

Poetry is one of the most appealing and inspirational literary forms used by feminist writers to
express resistance and protest. In the 20th century, many women used poetry to raise their voices
against the patriarchal system, domestic violence, sexual harassment, and gender inequality in
society. Sylvia Plath, Audre Lorde, Kathy Acker, Anne Sexton, Maya Angelou, and many other
feminist poets made their mark in this field.

Position of women in society

Women were considered the ‘weaker sex’ and inferior to men for centuries. Their honor, identity,
and dignity were associated with their husbands. Married women were considered the property of
their husbands, and they had few rights of their own.

Women were usually not allowed to divorce their husbands for domestic violence or adultery, and
even if they did divorce their husbands, they were looked down upon by society. They were
restricted to their households, and working women were not considered reputable in society.
However, women belonging to lower classes worked in various industries, especially textiles, but
they were barred from politics, because it was believed that women do not have the intellect for
such matters.

The condition of black women was even worse because they were doubly marginalized on the
basis of both race and sex. It was not only men who dominated and oppressed these women—
white women were part of the oppressors, too. There were many activists, writers, philosophers,
and thinkers who opposed this biased system.
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Maya Angelou as a feminist poet

Maya Angelou was born in 1928 in Missouri. She witnessed the plight of women, especially black
women, throughout her life. That is why she addresses the issues of racism, feminism, and sexism
in her works, which include many plays and poems and an autobiography.

In most of her works, she draws on her actual experiences and hardships as a black girl. Even then,
her writings, especially her poems, have a universal appeal. In her poem “Men,” she talks about
the disparity in the daily lives and roles of men and women, explaining how women are taught to
be subservient and to accept patriarchal dominion. “Still I Rise,” showing the unbreakable spirit
of women despite discriminatory social norms and prejudices that prevail in society, is one of her
most popular poems.

Stereotypes about black women

The world is full of stereotypes regarding feminine ideals and beauty, being associated with skin
color, waist size, eye color, and other such physical attributes. Maya Angelou believed that women
need not conform to these stereotypes and should have self-confidence. In her poem “Phenomenal
Woman,” she displays her confidence in being a woman and asserts that a woman should like the
way she looks. Angelou wanted women to not be affected by socially constructed notions of
beauty. In “Still I Rise,” she comments on how women have been suppressed based on these
stereotypes but still have the courage to fight back.

Asking questions
Angelou’s poetry reflects her fight-back attitude. “Still I Rise” is a great example of how women
should not accept norms, conventional codes of conduct, and oppression silently. She emphasizes
building an individual identity. History has been written from a male perspective, with women
being unable to voice their opinions and concerns. Now, Angelou says, women are empowered
and have the right to ask questions.

In this poem, Angelou continuously asks questions like “Did you want to see me broken?,” “Does
my sexiness upset you?,” and “Does my sassiness upset you?” She wants women to write their
own histories and not let history and men define them. It is their own strength that can empower
them and help them create their own identities.
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By emphasizing “Still I Rise,” she stressed that despite history, cultural prejudices, and social bias,
she would continue to fight and create a place for herself in this society.

Semantics analysis
The title of the poem “Still I Rise” alludes to Angelou’s African American origin and her female
identity. She even calls herself a “black ocean,” which highlights her pride in being black. She
accepts her skin color and shows that it cannot hold her back. This poem is a good example of how
weight, skin color, race, and other physical attributes cannot stop a person from achieving their
dreams.

This poem contains 43 lines, which are made up of seven quatrains and two end stanzas. The
constant repetition of the phrase “I/I’ll rise,” emphasizes the theme of the poem. “You” in the first
line refers to anybody who has oppressed someone. This can actually refer to men who believe in
patriarchy and male superiority. The incorporation of natural elements like oceans, tides, the moon,
and the sun stresses the hope of eventual equality. In Angelou’s poem, similes like “But still, like
dust, I'll rise” and metaphors such as “I am the dream and the hope of the slave” highlight defiance
and resistance against the oppressors.

Also, by using words like “sexiness,” “haughtiness,” and “sassiness,” Angelou tries to redefine the
ideals of beauty and the female body. The usual words associated with female beauty—“delicate,”
“slender,” “tender,” “thin,” and so on—do not display strength. Apart from these, she uses words
like “cut” and “kill,” showcasing her anger and aggression against those who try to lower women’s
confidence and try to bring them down.

Conclusion
Overall, Angelou has succeeded in conveying the importance of female identity through this poem.
The figurative language sends out a loud and clear message that the oppressed, especially women,
should rise and fight. Although she uses the word “I” in the poem to highlight her strength and
fighting spirit, the poem has a universal appeal, and every woman can identify with her. She makes
it clear that stereotypes, social conventions, and norms cannot stop her from achieving what she
desires. The poem is a declaration of the identity of women and their defiance in the face of
oppression.
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References
“The campaign for women's suffrage.” Bitesize, BBC,
www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zy2ycdm/revision/4
Fathima, Shaziya. “Feminism and Social Disparity in the Poems of Maya Angelou and Meena
Kandasamy - A Study.” Language in India, vol. 19, issue 1, 2019,
www.languageinindia.com/jan2019/fathimafeminismangeloumeena1.pdf
Angelou, Maya, “Still I Rise.” Random House, 1978. Poetry Foundation,
www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/46446/still-i-rise