International Journal of English Research

International Journal of English Research

ISSN: 2455-2186; Impact Factor: RJIF 5.32
[Link]
Volume 2; Issue 4; July 2016; Page No. 06-08

An explication of self-discovery in Maya Angelou’s Still I Rise

Sangeetha S
Assistant Professor of English, Department of English, Sri Sarada College for Women (Autonomous), Salem, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract
Angelou’s poem deals with racism were writer portrays positive and strong tone throughout the poem with respect to the society.
She presents us with an insight into what life was like for a black woman in the society. Angelou skilfully manages to take a
subject as dreadful as racism and leaves the reader of her poem feeling both angry and proud at the same time. This poem is very
much relevant to the present situation. The Poem arouses a strong emotional response amoung the readers. The better
understanding of the poem enforces us how the human spirit can achieve and “rise” above even the most horrible aspects of life
without to be “beaten” or “broken”. This paper tries to underpin the theme of hope and confidence within.

Keywords: insight, dreadful, enforce, horrible, human spirit

Introduction having an obstacle of overcoming an oppressive majority

Maya Angelou's "Still I Rise" is a poem about strength and wilfully controlled by the wealthy. This poem shares the
endurance, and about affirmation. Still I Rise" is an African- concept of freedom relation and importance to American
American woman's response to those who wish her hard and dream.
hate her. An inspirational poem symbolizing defiance and her Rising Up “Still I Rise”; by Maya Angelou is directed
strength to overcome negative criticism and oppression. It is towards blacks on how to be proud of their ancestry,
about what is expected of a person like the speaker (in terms themselves, and their overall appearance. The poem is a
of controlling her), and what that person is capable of special and motivating poem that African-Americans (and
doing despite expectations. other races for that matter) should read and take to heart.
According to African-Americans, Maya Angelou states that
Birth History of Maya as a Black no matter what white Americans (slave owners) say or do to
Angelou was partially descended from the Mende people of African-Americans (slaves) they can still rise up to make a
West Africa. A 2008 PBS Documentary found that Maya’s better life for themselves and their race as a whole.
Maternal great grandmother Mary Lee, been emancipated One reason blacks should rise above their oppression is so
after the civil war became pregnant by her White Owner John they can better themselves and in turn make a better life for
Savin. Lee was sent to a poor house in Missouri with her their next generation, just as their ancestors tried to do. Marin
daughter Named Marguerite Baxter. Luther King, Malcolm X, Marcus Garvey, Rosa Parks, E.B.
DuBois and Thrugood Marshall are all names that bring to
Literary Background mind the struggle that Black America has been engaged in
She is a poet, speaker, producer, civil rights activists. since the times of Abraham Lincoln. All of these people were
Received over 30 Honorary Degrees eloquent speakers who had a great influence on the lives of
According to her autobiographies she married Tosh Angelos every American.
in 1951 &Paul de Feu in 1973 and began relationship with The poem still I rise is written by Maya Angelou; an 20th
vusumzi Make in [Link] recognitions are Black Century African American poet, educator and an important
Women’s poet Laureate, Anthems of African Americans- figure during the 50s and 60s civil-rights movement. Maya
Poems, First Female Poet to give reading at a Presidential Angelou was born on April 4, 1928, in [Link], Missouri as
Inauguration and Started See Forever Foundation for poor a second child. [Link] Flowers, her teacher made her a
children prominent figure by introducing her literary life with notable
Her mentioned works are “I Know Why the Caged Bird authors. still I rise is a short lyric poem published by random
Sings credited auto-biography in seven volume series which house in 1978 in the collection of poetry with thirty two
received National Book Award in 1969 and Pulitzer Prize poems entitled And Still I Rise in the third volume
Nomination for “Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water 'Fore I Angelou early experienced the twin forces that would
Diiie” First volume of poetry 1972 determine the shape of her life and the nature of her career:
personal rejection and institutional racism. Angelou's creative
American dream passion for his work is demonstrated in her strong talent of
American dream today has become increasingly convoluted weaving similes and hyperboles into her work.
due to personal fears and uncertainalities that reside deep In "Still I Rise," themes of rejection and racism can be seen.
inside each and every individual: even in those too afraid to The first stanza may well reflect the concept of slavery, seen
admit and confront these insecurities due to past personal with the word "history."
afflictions resulting from tyrannical rule. American dream is You may write me down in history
the freedom to pursue ones goals and aspirations without With your bitter, twisted lies,
6
1.
International Journal of English Research

You may trod me in the very dirt oppressed in general are strong. Still I Rise is a sublime,
But still, like dust, I'll rise. straightforward poem that acknowledges that we need not
The first line suggests that the telling of the history of slaves depend upon anyone else's opinion but our own. Maya
in America has long be controlled by whites who decided expresses not only her good qualities, but also her
what was recorded in books and what was true as they saw it, unfavourable ones, yet even these are turned into positive
but never spoke of the reality of slave life—forced to leave ideas. This poem can only be read by us now because she has
their homes and be treated like property...as if they were no confidence in herself, her writing, and can express it so
longer people. However, Angelou's theme of perseverance is freely.
also present with the use of the word "dust." Dust has often This poem can be interpreted as a call to assertiveness and
been referred to as "abiding"—something that lasts forever. pride for coloured people. It is an outcry to the humiliation,
"Abiding" is defined as... prejudice, and constant drubbing this group was subjected to.
...continuing without change; enduring; steadfast... Parallels can be seen between (black) slavery, drug addicts,
Making this comparison, Angelou affirms that regardless of racism and other groups that face constant thrashing by
the abuse the speaker suffers (and the speaker represents all oppressors. Still I Rise has the uncanny ability to incite these
blacks), that she will rise: she will not disappear, she will not groups to rise, and stop pining in sorrow while another tries
be defeated and she will not be held back. to bury their soul. Literary devices such as similes frequent
The second stanza continues with the same tone...the speaker this poem, such as Maya rising like dust or “Just like moons
asks if she has upset her listener by not acting as the and like suns, With the certainty of tides, Just like hopes
listener wants her act—subdued, repressed, sad, etc. springing high " we are confirmed of the beauty and
Why are you beset with gloom? assurance of hope she has. Especially imaginative was the
'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells comparison of “shoulders falling down like teardrops”,
Pumping in my living room. offering the image of shoulders sagging down in a depressed
The speaker notes that she refuses to be downtrodden, and sort of way. (To Maya, this will never happen because she is
while the listener may be expecting her to be broken, she better.)Figurative language abounds, with images of her
walks as if she the world's wealth is in her pockets. Her dancing with her thighs, eyes and head lowered (spirit), etc.
strength and defiance are clear. The images she provides The poem’s literal meaning is a sarcastic response towards
speak of oppression and violence: the people who look down on the speaker. To the narrator,
Did you want to see me broken? the poem metaphorically describes her strength to always
Bowed head and lowered eyes? survive the battle against people’s criticism of her and her
And... ancestors. Globally, this poem delivers the message of the
You may shoot me with your words, human’s incredible strength and ability to overcome hurt.
You may cut me with your eyes, However, the main and most important message this poem
You may kill me with your hatefulness, provides is the narrator’s strength to retaliate against
But still, like air, I'll rise. discrimination of races and gender; which offers hope for
In light of violence and even death, we now hear the essence others who suffer from the same ordeal.
of the speaker's spirit entering into the poem: for not Maya Angelou is addressing the pain of slavery. She has had
even death will destroy the speaker's presence, as if it has to overcome the historically-entrenched oppression and
grown so strong that it will defy the very limits of the passing cruelty inflicted on Africans. It is this dark past that her
from this earth. ancestors had to endure, and now she has also found a way to
Angelou's poem promises that nothing will destroy her will, “rise” above the collective pain. In the poem, she has found a
and here we have an even greater sense of the promise of the new sense of awareness and has become a black woman who
survival of the race—the rising is like the air: it is has risen above "history's shame." It is a poem of self-
everywhere and cannot be contained. The last section of the discovery and passion as she taunts her readers to come to
poem speaks directly of the path from slavery to the modern grips with who she has become. Angelou feels that she will
day: reciting life in huts and a past "rooted in pain." This race not fall victim to further discrimination because she has
has achieved power as great as the mighty oceans that cannot found her true worth as a black woman. No one will ever be
be contained. Angelou speaks of her ancestors: their pain, able to subjugate her again because she has risen above the
their work, their sacrifice—and their legacy. hatred and pain of history.
I am the dream and the hope of the slave. Maya Angelou has combined several poetic devices in the
This line provides closure to this age-old battle. This is a Poem 'Still I Rise' to paint a vivid picture of endurance, hope
poem of challenge to those who wish to place a person of and strength. It consists of seven quatrains followed by a 15-
color into the limited confines of the past, and a declaration line stanza. The most obvious poetic device it uses is
of freedom—after a very long journey—bringing the black repetition, specifically of the words "I rise." The quatrains are
race to freedom and dignity: at last. A new image emerges rhymed ABCB, although some of the rhymes are slightly
out of dark nights into the brightness of the day, carrying irregular. "Welling and swelling" is an internal rhyme.
with the legacy of her ancestors. It is a hopeful new day that
fades away the past and looking hopefully to the future. She The devices include:
is the epitome of the dreams and indomitable spirits of the Alliteration (Huts of History’s Shame)
past to rise again, again and again. With the poem, Still I Simile (like I ve got diamonds, shoulders falling like
Rise, by Maya Angelou, she describes the basic feelings and teardrops)
descriptions of a person that does not need loathing or people Metaphor (I am a black ocean, leaping & wide)
to try and lift her up. She shows us that she and all those Rhyme (Ies/Rise, gloom/room, hard/yard)
7
1.
International Journal of English Research

Repetition (I rise I rise, you may)

Personification (Black Ocean leaping)
Imagery (you may trod me in the very dirt)
Hyperbole (You cut me with your eyes" and "You
kill me with your hatefulness".)
Rhetorical Question (In Stanzas 2,5 &7)
Symbolism (Symbols of Wealth)

Conclusion
This poem’s main message is about people’s prejudice
against others who are physically different, either because of
colour or gender. Maya Angelou’s poem, ‘Still I Rise”
chronicles her ancestors' feelings and the legacy of slavery
and oppression. The narrator points a positive light on the
subject with her sarcasm and in the determined and prideful
manner with which she uses to express her strength of
fighting back, no matter how the obstacle is. To conclude,
Maya's Still I Rise offers inspirational value, urging others to
think more highly of themselves. Literary techniques are used
well, providing us with an accurate way of understanding her
thoughts.
Thus right till the end Maya maintains her tone of victorious
and proud defiance, while speaking up for the rights of
African-American women all over the US of her time. This
pays tribute to the African American race for experiencing
worst circumstances and serves as an Inspiration and
instilling confidence This poem is related to the famous
quote: “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” As
nothing will keep a person down if he/she keeps on trying
Maya Angelou Quotes that “I've learned that people will
forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but
people will never forget how you made them feel.”
President Barack Obama says "a brilliant writer, a fierce
friend, and a truly phenomenal woman had the ability to
remind us that we are all God's children; that we all have
something to offer”

References
1. Still I Rise, by Maya Angelou." [Link]. 30
May 2016
<[Link]
2. <[Link]
u_2012_6.pdf >
3. "Still I Rise" by Maya Angelou: Analysis
Essay.31May2016
4. < [Link]
rise-by-maya-angelou-analysis-essay-348603>
5. <[Link]
detailed-analysis-maya-angelous-poem-421944>
6. <[Link]

8
1.