Still I Rise
“Still I Rise”- Maya Angelou
Hurt, anger, and pain are all expressed in Maya Angelou “Still I Rise.” In the poem the author exhibits her rage and pain towards how society treated her because she was a black woman. Reading this piece at the end of each of stanza, you will notice that the author uses repetition and end each stanza saying “Still I’ll Rise, “stating that no matter how badly society has treated her, she will not let it stop her because she will “rise” up from it exhibiting her inner strength and determinedness to not let anyone get to her. Reading this piece by Maya Angelou you will notice that the author uses numerous literary elements such as metaphor, simile, symbolism and imagery throughout the poem. The first literary element metaphor is found in line 21 of the poem. When the author says, “You may shoot me with your words” their implying a comparison between a gun and words. This line stands out because of the depth and sharpness it brings to the poem. Even though the author has felt great multitude of pain and hardship, she continues to strive even though society tries to take her down with their words. Another literary element that the author exhibits in the poem is simile. The first example of simile is found in line 7 when the author says “‘cause I walk like I’ve got oil wells.” The author is comparing her walking by stating it’s like an oil well. Trying to interpret it the author is saying that she is no longer going to be afraid to walk around being who she is. Like an oil well which can symbolize wealth or money, she will rise up and walk around being confident in who she is not letting anyone bring her down. Another literary element that the author uses in the line is symbolism. The author uses symbolism when she compares walking to an oil well. Oil is a symbol for wealth or money because oil is very valuable thing to many people. Which could be what the author is trying to explain is that she no matter if she’s wealthy or poor
Hurt, anger, and pain are all expressed in Maya Angelou “Still I Rise.” In the poem the author exhibits her rage and pain towards how society treated her because she was a black woman. Reading this piece at the end of each of stanza, you will notice that the author uses repetition and end each stanza saying “Still I’ll Rise, “stating that no matter how badly society has treated her, she will not let it stop her because she will “rise” up from it exhibiting her inner strength and determinedness to not let anyone get to her. Reading this piece by Maya Angelou you will notice that the author uses numerous literary elements such as metaphor, simile, symbolism and imagery throughout the poem. The first literary element metaphor is found in line 21 of the poem. When the author says, “You may shoot me with your words” their implying a comparison between a gun and words. This line stands out because of the depth and sharpness it brings to the poem. Even though the author has felt great multitude of pain and hardship, she continues to strive even though society tries to take her down with their words. Another literary element that the author exhibits in the poem is simile. The first example of simile is found in line 7 when the author says “‘cause I walk like I’ve got oil wells.” The author is comparing her walking by stating it’s like an oil well. Trying to interpret it the author is saying that she is no longer going to be afraid to walk around being who she is. Like an oil well which can symbolize wealth or money, she will rise up and walk around being confident in who she is not letting anyone bring her down. Another literary element that the author uses in the line is symbolism. The author uses symbolism when she compares walking to an oil well. Oil is a symbol for wealth or money because oil is very valuable thing to many people. Which could be what the author is trying to explain is that she no matter if she’s wealthy or poor