Breaking of Our Chains
The poem, Still I Rise by Maya Angelou, is primarily centered around the concept of a black woman being oppressed by her surrounding white peers. The poet, Maya Angelou wrote the poem with the belief that despite the challenges, one will be able to overcome them.
Still I Rise features repetition as seen when the poet’s asks if her various features negatively impact the reader. These questions are asked in a rational way, without any hostility. Repetition helps to emphasize a point as shown in the last few lines: “I rise. I rise. I rise.” (40-43). This allows the sentence to have a more lasting impact on the reader.
Metaphor is used to help the reader understand the message of the poem more clearly. In the poem, black people are compared to a black ocean. Representing how she feels uncontrolled, and is capable of creating change.
Imagery is also used within the poem. This is best shown within this stanza: “Did you want to see me broken? Bowed head and lowered eyes? Shoulders falling down like teardrops. Weakened by my soulful cries.” (13-16). This allows the reader to mentally visualize the description, implying that that “you” would like to see her weak and defeated.
The first word used in this sentence is “you”. This helps convey the message that the poem is addressed to others, which is those who have oppressed black people. Her tone stays the same throughout the poem, she never turns hostile and conveys her message with a determined tone, allowing others to sympathize with her situation.
Angelou defines a clear message within the poem: she wants black people to stand up. Angelou is willing to speak up and defend others of the same race. The poem casts black people as one single entity, using “I” instead of “we”. This indicates that that this poem is representing their thoughts and race as a whole.
The issue of racism is still abundant today and would possibly still exist in the future. Angelou has written this poem to reflect the state of racism that had occurred at the time period, to encourage those suffering within that time. Using various literary devices, Angelou makes people feel compassion towards black people and inspires others through this timeless piece.
I like your analysis of Still I Rise by Maya Angelou! The fact that you explained why each literary device was used and how it impacted the readers, truly expressed the effort and beauty put into writing this piece.
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