Perseverance In Poetry
“Still I Rise” by Maya Angelou and “Invictus” by William Henley are two poems that explore the theme of perseverance. Both poems share a background of discomfort; however, the poets display their determination of perseverance by voicing powerful words. The poets give the reader an insight to confidence and to not back down from their discomfort. _______________
In the poem “Still I Rise” written by Maya Angelou, Angelou uses different settings and tones to demonstrate confidence. Most of the stanzas start with the word “You”, which applies to people who have degraded Angelou and African Americans. The majority of the stanzas includes the literary devices, metaphor or simile. These literary devices make a comparison of something negative to
be seen as something positive: “You may tread me in the very dirt/ But still, like dust, I’ll rise.” (3-4). In the following, Angelou shares a message of overcoming shame with uplifting words: “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?” (25-28). Some people want what they don’t have; therefore, people belittle others so they can be on the same level. Angelou makes herself and people of color stronger with inspiring words: “Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave, / I am the dream and the hope of the slave.” (39-40). Angelou makes herself a voice and an image for the people of color -- to share confidence, as well as inspire people to uplift themselves.
In the poem “Invictus” written by William E. Henley, Henley uses a dark, hopeless tone to demonstrate self-control. The title of the poem “Invictus” means unconquered in Latin. The word unconquered demonstrates that Henley hasn’t given up: “In the fell clutch of circumstance/ I have not winced nor cried aloud.” (5-6). Henley isn’t going to let the darkness in his life hold him back: “I am the master of my fate: / I am the captain of my soul.” (15-16). Henley shares that his death may be near; however, Henley emphasizes he is in control of his outcome. No darkness should take over the soul -- the soul should live to the fullest.
The two poems “Still I Rise” and “Invictus” share the theme of perseverance; however, both poems present the theme in different ways. In “Still I Rise”, Angelou acts if she’s a narrator, describing the beautiful qualities black women -- Angelou speaks for the people of color with vibrant words that give the people of color strength. In “Invictus”, Henley writes about himself; therefore, sharing the background of pain and sickness to emphasize the suffering he’s experiencing. The poem is written as if Henley is speaking to himself, giving a message as a vision. Henley tells himself, and the audience to continue fighting through the fear of discomfort no matter what condition.
The definition of perseverance is steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success according to google. “Still I Rise” written by Maya Angelou and “Invictus” written by William Henley both demonstrate perseverance.
In the poem “Still I Rise” written by Maya Angelou, Angelou uses different settings and tones to demonstrate confidence. Most of the stanzas start with the word “You”, which applies to people who have degraded Angelou and African Americans. The majority of the stanzas includes the literary devices, metaphor or simile. These literary devices make a comparison of something negative to
be seen as something positive: “You may tread me in the very dirt/ But still, like dust, I’ll rise.” (3-4). In the following, Angelou shares a message of overcoming shame with uplifting words: “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?” (25-28). Some people want what they don’t have; therefore, people belittle others so they can be on the same level. Angelou makes herself and people of color stronger with inspiring words: “Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave, / I am the dream and the hope of the slave.” (39-40). Angelou makes herself a voice and an image for the people of color -- to share confidence, as well as inspire people to uplift themselves.
In the poem “Invictus” written by William E. Henley, Henley uses a dark, hopeless tone to demonstrate self-control. The title of the poem “Invictus” means unconquered in Latin. The word unconquered demonstrates that Henley hasn’t given up: “In the fell clutch of circumstance/ I have not winced nor cried aloud.” (5-6). Henley isn’t going to let the darkness in his life hold him back: “I am the master of my fate: / I am the captain of my soul.” (15-16). Henley shares that his death may be near; however, Henley emphasizes he is in control of his outcome. No darkness should take over the soul -- the soul should live to the fullest.
The two poems “Still I Rise” and “Invictus” share the theme of perseverance; however, both poems present the theme in different ways. In “Still I Rise”, Angelou acts if she’s a narrator, describing the beautiful qualities black women -- Angelou speaks for the people of color with vibrant words that give the people of color strength. In “Invictus”, Henley writes about himself; therefore, sharing the background of pain and sickness to emphasize the suffering he’s experiencing. The poem is written as if Henley is speaking to himself, giving a message as a vision. Henley tells himself, and the audience to continue fighting through the fear of discomfort no matter what condition.
The definition of perseverance is steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success according to google. “Still I Rise” written by Maya Angelou and “Invictus” written by William Henley both demonstrate perseverance.