Still I Rise Analysis

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 back yard.

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.

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i like this poem because of its message that still we can rise despite of facing aloot of problems.its optimistic message motivates me

| Posted on 2009-11-18 | by a guest

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I like this poem because it tells us how "blacks" were seen as lower class. This poem also is very dear to mainly black South Africans as they suffered a lot of hardship during apartheid.

| Posted on 2009-11-16 | by a guest

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i had to study this poem for a english assingment, and i am not a poem enthusiast. but this poem has changed my mind. ive read about the troubles Maya has gone through and for her to be so positive is so amazing. she is an inspiriation to all people, not just women, and not just african americans. Her words still ring on in mi mind when im feeling down. thank you soo much Maya Angelou

| Posted on 2009-10-21 | by a guest

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i like this poem because this poem encourages us to be brave, face challenges and be bold, dauntless and tot be strong from both inside and outside

| Posted on 2009-10-14 | by a guest

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i like this poem because it shows that in every trial that was happened in our live, we should be brave enough to overcome those. whatever people say unto you, as long as you didn't step other life, you can live your life to the fullest.!!!

| Posted on 2009-10-12 | by a guest

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i like this poem because it shows that in every trial that was happened in our live, we should be brave enough to overcome those. whatever people say unto you, as long as you didn't step other life, you can live your life to the fullest.!!!

| Posted on 2009-10-12 | by a guest

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i i love this poem so much ive loved it since i was a little kid it just connects to people of any race sex or generation. that is the whole point of the poem

| Posted on 2009-10-06 | by a guest

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this is an awesome poem! Maya Angelo is a strong women and inspires me, and i'm sure many other women out there in the world.

| Posted on 2009-09-27 | by a guest

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The poem in general is really inspiring as Maya Angelou describes her own personal feelings of the poem. She is trying to show that she is really happy with her life and doesn't care what people have been doing to her. It is a great poem and Maya is a brilliant poet!

| Posted on 2009-09-17 | by a guest

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Well done. Maya is such a beautiful and strong person.

| Posted on 2009-09-16 | by a guest

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This poem isn't just about the struggles faced by black people or women or any group that has been oppressed. It's also got a lot to do with Maya Angelou's own personal struggles and how she rose above her painful past and chose to create a better future for herself. A future where she was in control and would never let people bring her down again. It's a beautiful poem and I think it's also a declaration of her independence.

| Posted on 2009-08-23 | by a guest

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omg you are my inpiration of poetry. this poem shows how black people are treated. this is from a eleven year old

| Posted on 2009-06-01 | by a guest

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omg you are my inpiration of poetry. this poem shows how black people are treated. this is from a eleven year old

| Posted on 2009-06-01 | by a guest

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I think to say this poem shows the insecurity of white people is an unfair and unwise statement. This poem is beautifully written, which depicts a very strong person rising above her trials inflicted by other people. This poem goes so far beyond race, it may be connected to a number of people, of all colors, in all types of serious situations. Maya was able to show us these intense feelings, because she now understands them. She is an amazingly strong person!

| Posted on 2009-04-30 | by a guest

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Well, quite frankly this poem doesnt just talk about Maya Angelou herself, or black women in gerneral. It talks about the stuggles women have faced over time. For instance Rosa Parks, it was a struggle to her not to give up her bus seat. Also Abagial Smith Adams (president JOhn Adams Wife) took part in one the greatest battles in Americans Time(Revelutionary War). Abagial fought with her husband and without, meaning she too held meetings with other women to show their need in the Revelutionary war...And much more!
Thank you Maya Angelou, this has been on heck of a never-endign JOurney!!

| Posted on 2009-04-22 | by a guest

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Basically I Love this poem she is one of the best poets to mee My opinion. But this poem is about a lot that happened in her life all the overcoming obstacles and circumstances she been through.Shes like letting it all out in this poem and saying she still rises shes still standing tall. Thats my pint of View...
ViKKiE

| Posted on 2009-02-13 | by a guest

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This poem is amazing! I love how by using oil, gold diamond she shows the reader that people must dig to discover the rivhness of black women!

| Posted on 2009-01-19 | by a guest

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I am giving a speech about this poem, and I am really excited to share with my class this AWESOME and inspiring message the poem conveys!

| Posted on 2009-01-12 | by a guest

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I REALLY LOVE THIS POEM IT SHOWS HER EXPRESSIONS AND HER FEELINGS OF HOW SHE WAS RECENTLY TREATED HOW SHE WAS ABUSED/ HARASSED, HOW SHE WANTS TO SAY THINGS IN HER POINT OF VIEW BY TELLING IMPORTANT EVENTS THAT HAPPENED IN LIFE TO HER IN A VERY INTELLEGENT AND ELEGANT WAY. SHE IS ONE OF THE MOST FASTINATING POEM WRITERS I HAVE EVER READ ABOUT AND SHE IS SUCH ROLE MODEL TYPE. LEARNING THIS BIOGRAPHY ABOUT HER INFLUENCE ME TO BECOME MORE INSPARATIONAL IN MY WRITINGS AND MAYBE I WILL BE ABLE TO BECOME SOMEONE ELSE INSPIRER

| Posted on 2009-01-06 | by a guest

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I REALLY LOVE THIS POEM IT SHOWS HER EXPRESSIONS AND HER FEELINGS OF HOW SHE WAS RECENTLY TREATED HOW SHE WAS ABUSED/ HARASSED, HOW SHE WANTS TO SAY THINGS IN HER POINT OF VIEW BY TELLING IMPORTANT EVENTS THAT HAPPENED IN LIFE TO HER IN A VERY INTELLEGENT AND ELEGANT WAY. SHE IS ONE OF THE MOST FASTINATING POEM WRITERS I HAVE EVER READ ABOUT AND SHE IS SUCH ROLE MODEL TYPE. LEARNING THIS BIOGRAPHY ABOUT HER INFLUENCE ME TO BECOME MORE INSPARATIONAL IN MY WRITINGS AND MAYBE I WILL BE ABLE TO BECOME SOMEONE ELSE INSPIRER

| Posted on 2009-01-06 | by a guest

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I think this poem shows the type of confidence African Americans have and the hidden insecurities of whites

| Posted on 2009-01-04 | by a guest

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well i think this is a spectacular poem i actually gave it to my husband Pancho to read it and he said,"honey this is wonderful did you write this and i told him no but maya angelou did and its the best poem i've read i especially love the part that states "
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?" My husband and i both loved this part Maya aNGELOU THANKYOU FOR THE SEXY POEM ME AND MY HUSBAND HAVE HAD MORE RECENT CONECTION BECAUSE OF THE BEAUTIFUL SAYING THANKYOU ONCE AGAIN!

| Posted on 2008-12-10 | by a guest

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i think that this poem is the best ive ever read just becasue of the way she puts the words all together its fabulous and i know what she means.

| Posted on 2008-12-10 | by a guest

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i think that this poem is the best ive ever read just becasue of the way she puts the words all together its fabulous and i know what she means.

| Posted on 2008-12-10 | by a guest

.: Still I Rise :.

With the poem, Still I Rise, by Maya Angelou, she describes the basic
feelings and descriptions of a person that does not need loathing or
people to try and lift her up. She shows us that she and all those
oppressed in general are strong.
We are shown some of the thoughts and feelings people have displayed
against her, but the reality is she won't let them get her down. Her
moral opulence allows her to rise above where her ancestors fell to
slavery, carrying herself as a strong woman. Her ancestors' dream was
to have a life in society without fear of what might happen (to them).
The author is portrayed as this dream - this gift - her ancestors
imagined.
Still I Rise is a sublime, straightforward poem that acknowledges that
we need not depend upon anyone else's opinion but our own. Maya
expresses not only her good qualities, but also her unfavorable ones,
yet even these are turned into positive ideas. This poem can only be
read by us now because she has confidence in herself, her writing, and
can express it so freely.

| Posted on 2008-04-21 | by a guest