Overview

• "Still I Rise" by Maya Angelou is a powerful and uplifting poem that celebrates resilience, strength, and the unbreakable spirit of Black women in the face of oppression.

• The poem is structured in a series of repetitive, assertive declarations emphasising the speaker's will to overcome adversity and reclaim her dignity.

  

• Through vivid imagery and an assertive tone, Angelou shares a message of empowerment and resistance against historical and personal injustices.

• She highlights the lasting strength of the human spirit.

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About the Poet

Maya Angelou (1928-2014) was an acclaimed American poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist. Her work often explores themes of identity, family, and race, drawing from her own experiences of racial discrimination and personal struggle. Angelou's writing is known for its lyrical beauty, emotional depth, and powerful messages of resilience and empowerment. She received numerous awards and honours, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011.

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Detailed Summary

Stanza 1

• The poem opens with the speaker directly addressing the oppressors, asking rhetorical questions such as, "Did you want to see me broken?"

• This sets the tone of defiance, with the speaker declaring that despite the efforts to oppress her, she will rise. Middle Stanzas

• The speaker's tone becomes increasingly confident and proud in the middle stanzas. She compares herself to elements of nature to illustrate her unstoppable strength.

Final Stanzas

• The final stanzas culminate in celebrating the speaker's heritage and strength. She declares, "I am the dream and the hope of the slave," connecting her personal triumphs to the broader history of Black resistance and perseverance.
• The poem ends triumphantly, with the speaker repeatedly affirming, "I rise."

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Setting of the Poem

• The poem doesn't have a specific physical setting.
• Instead, it is based on the historical context of racial oppression and the civil rights struggle. The repeated phrase "I rise" symbolises overcoming societal limits and personal challenges.
• This universal and timeless setting highlights Angelou's enduring message of resilience and empowerment.

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