POEM 10
Maya Angelou – “Still I Rise”

You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I’ll rise.

Does my sassiness upset you?
Why are you beset with gloom?
’Cause I walk like I’ve got oil wells
Pumping in my living room.

Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I’ll rise.

Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops,
Weakened by my soulful cries?

Does my haughtiness offend you?
Don’t you take it awful hard
‘Cause I laugh like I’ve got gold mines
Diggin’ in my own backyard.

You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I’ll rise.

Does my sexiness upset you?
Does it come as a surprise
That I dance like I’ve got diamonds
At the meeting of my thighs?

Out of the huts of history’s shame
I rise
Up from a past that’s rooted in pain
I rise
I’m a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.

Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that’s wondrously clear
I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise
I rise
I rise.

Literary Analysis of Maya Angelou’s “Still I Rise”

Maya Angelou’s poem “Still I Rise” is a powerful declaration of resilience, self-respect, and defiance in the face of oppression. The poem is celebrated for its confident tone, empowering message, and rhythmic flow, which together convey a deep sense of strength and hope. Angelou’s work reflects the struggles and triumphs of African Americans and, more broadly, of anyone who has faced adversity.

Theme
The primary theme of “Still I Rise” is resilience in the face of oppression. The poem speaks to the indomitable spirit of a person who refuses to be beaten down by the injustices of the past or present. It addresses the themes of racial discrimination, sexism, and historical injustice, while also celebrating the strength, confidence, and inherent dignity of the speaker, who represents not just herself but her community and ancestry.

Structure and Form
“Still I Rise” is written in free verse, but it has a strong rhythmic and repetitive structure that gives it a lyrical, almost song-like quality. The poem is divided into nine stanzas of varying length, with the refrain “I rise” repeated multiple times throughout, underscoring the message of resilience and defiance.

Tone
The tone of the poem is defiant, confident, and celebratory. Angelou adopts a tone of self-assurance, directly challenging the oppressors with bold questions and statements. The repetition of the phrase “I rise” throughout the poem emphasizes the speaker’s unshakeable determination and optimism.

Imagery and Language
Angelou uses vivid imagery to create a strong emotional impact, painting pictures that symbolize strength, wealth, and natural forces:

• “But still, like dust, I’ll rise.”
  The image of rising like dust suggests an unstoppable, natural force that cannot be permanently suppressed, no matter how much it is trampled upon.
• “Just like moons and like suns, / With the certainty of tides, / Just like hopes springing high, / Still I’ll rise.”
  Here, the speaker compares her resilience to natural elements like the moon, the sun, and tides, which are reliable and enduring. This imagery reinforces the idea that her strength is as inevitable as the cycles of nature.
• “I’m a black ocean, leaping and wide, / Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.”
  The “black ocean” symbolizes the speaker’s vast strength and the collective power of her ancestry. The ocean is an immense, unstoppable force, capable of overcoming any obstacle.

Figures of Speech

• Simile:
  Angelou frequently uses similes to emphasize the speaker’s strength and resilience. For example, “But still, like dust, I’ll rise” and “Just like moons and like suns” compare the speaker’s persistence to inevitable and enduring natural forces.
• Metaphor:
  The poem is rich with metaphors, such as “I’m a black ocean,” where the speaker likens herself to a powerful, all-encompassing force of nature.
• Repetition:
  The phrase “I rise” is repeated throughout the poem, creating a rhythmic mantra that emphasizes the speaker’s determination to overcome oppression.
• Rhetorical Questions:
  Angelou uses rhetorical questions like “Does my sassiness upset you?” and “Does my sexiness upset you?” to challenge the attitudes of those who seek to oppress her, turning the focus back on them and their discomfort.

Symbolism

• Dust: The dust symbolizes something that cannot be permanently erased or destroyed. No matter how much one tries to suppress it, dust will always rise again.
• Gold Mines and Oil Wells: These symbolize wealth, not in the literal sense, but as a metaphor for the richness of the speaker’s spirit, self-worth, and inner resources.
• Diamonds: The diamonds “at the meeting of my thighs” symbolize the speaker’s inherent value, confidence, and femininity. It also represents the idea that her worth is natural and undeniable.

Historical and Cultural Context
“Still I Rise” reflects the African American experience, particularly the history of slavery and the ongoing struggle for civil rights. The poem also draws from the broader context of women’s empowerment, with Angelou asserting her dignity and value in the face of both racial and gender-based oppression. The lines “I am the dream and the hope of the slave” directly connect the speaker’s present-day resilience to the aspirations and struggles of her ancestors.

Conclusion
Maya Angelou’s “Still I Rise” is a powerful anthem of resistance and empowerment. Through its confident tone, vivid imagery, and rhythmic structure, the poem celebrates the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. Angelou’s work not only reflects her personal experiences but also speaks to the broader struggles of marginalized communities, offering a message of hope and defiance that continues to resonate with readers today. NEXT POEM

• «
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• 10
• 11
• 12
• »

---

Save yourself the hassle!

click to download the complete poems and scheme of work

RELATED POSTS

WAEC/NECO Approved Reading Texts 2021-2025: Literature in English

WAEC/NECO Approved Reading Texts 2026-2030: Literature in English

Scheme of Work – Literature in English SSS 1 (Based on WAEC/NECO Reading Texts for 2021-2025)

Scheme of Work – Literature in English SSS 1 (Based on WAEC/NECO Reading Texts for 2026-2030)

Scheme of Work – Literature in English SSS 2 (Based on WAEC/NECO Reading Texts for 2026-2030)

Scheme of Work – Literature in English SSS 3 (Based on WAEC/NECO Reading Texts for 2026-2030)

Need full Scheme of Work for secondary schools?

CLICK HERE