'Still I Rise' by
Maya Angelou
'Still I Rise' is an empowering poem about the struggle to overcome prejudice and injustice. It is one
of Maya Angelou's most famous and popular poems. When read by victims of wrongdoing, the poem
becomes a kind of anthem, a beacon of hope for the oppressed and downtrodden.
It is a reminder of the abuses of power by those who sit in government, the judiciary, the military,
and the police force. For members of the public, it sends out a clear, repeated message of hope. No
matter the circumstances, there must always be hope to cling to.
This stirring poem is packed full of figurative language. It functions as a sort of secular hymn to the
oppressed and abused. The message is loud and clear—no matter the cruelty, regardless of method
and circumstance, the victim will rise up, the slave will overcome adversity. (It's little wonder that
Nelson Mandela read this poem at his inauguration in 1994 after spending 27 years in prison.)
Although written with black slavery and civil rights issues in mind, 'Still I Rise' is universal in its
appeal. Any innocent individual, any minority, or any nation subject to oppression or abuse can
understand its underlying theme—don't give in to torture, bullying, humiliation, and injustice.
This poem includes 43 lines in total, made up of seven quatrains and two end stanzas which help
reinforce the theme of individual hope, with the phrase 'I rise' repeated like a mantra.
This is a poem aimed at the oppressor. Note the first 'you' in the first line and the rhyme scheme
abcb, which tightly knits the stanza together. It's worth going through the rhyme's effect because
the full rhymes such as eyes/cries, hard/backyard, surprise/thighs repeat until the last two stanzas,
when the scheme changes from abcb to abcc and aabb, giving an absolute solid ending to the piece.
If this poem were a sculpture, it would have a granite plinth to stand on. The natural imagery is farreaching, and the voice is loud. In this poem, there are moons and suns, tides and black oceans.
There is a clear daybreak and ancestral gifts, all joining together in a crescendo of hope.
Similes and metaphor abound. Every stanza has at least one, from the first ('But still, like dust, I'll
rise') to the last ('I am the dream and the hope of the slave.')
There's a defiance in the poem as you read through, as if the speaker is trying to prick the conscience
of the oppressor by reminding them of past wrongs and present realities.
The word 'sassiness' conveys the speaker's self-confidence, backed up by the use of 'haughtiness'
and 'sexiness'. The poet's use of hyperbole adds a kind of absurd beauty when she says,
Does my sexiness upset you?
Does it come as some surprise
That I dance like I've got diamonds
At the meeting of my thighs?
Stanza six brings the oppressive issue to a climax. Three lines begin with 'You,' the speaker, choosing
particularly active verbs—'shoot,' 'cut,' and 'kill' —to emphasize the aggression. But this aggression
comes to no avail, for the oppressed will still rise, this time like air, an element which you cannot
shoot, cut, or kill. All in all, this is an inspirational poem with a powerful repetitive energy, a universal
message, and a clear, positive pulse throughout.
What's the Theme of the Poem?
'Still I Rise' is primarily about self-respect and confidence. In the poem, Angelou reveals how she will
overcome anything through her self-esteem. She shows how nothing can get her down. She will rise
to any occasion, and nothing, not even her skin color, will hold her back.
Although slavery had been long abolished, Angelou saw its effects on society and the African
American people. This poem is her declaration that she, for one, would not allow the hatefulness of
society to determine her own success.
This poem is not only a proclamation of her own determination to rise above society but was also a
call to others to live above the society in which they were brought up. It is still one of the most
widely read poems in America.
Students respond to poems in many different and exciting ways. This poem will inspire and spark
debate on topics such as:
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Politics

History

Trade

Oppression
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Societal Issues

Individual Rights
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Slavery
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Peaceful Protest
What Was She Best Known For?
Marguerite Annie Johnson Angelou, commonly known as Maya Angelou, was an American author,
actress, screenwriter, dancer, poet, and civil rights activist. She is best known for her 1969 memoir, I
Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. The book made literary history as the first nonfiction bestseller by
an African-American woman. Since it was published in 1978, her poem 'Still I Rise' has been one of
the most widely read poems in the United States.
How Was She Influential?
Maya Angelou was an award-winning author, poet, civil rights activist, college professor, and
screenwriter. Her literary works were an important part of the civil rights movement. She was also
an inspiration to female writers and African-American writers around the globe. Angelou was among
the most influential woman of her time.
What Did She Believe In?
When she was in her 20s, she discovered the Unity Church. Unity is a Christian movement that was
founded in 1889. It emphasizes affirmative prayer and education as a path to spirituality. Though she
was Christian, Angelou was accepting of all faiths and spiritualities.
What Was the Cause of Her Death?
Maya Angelou died on the morning of May 28, 2014. She was found by her nurse. Although Angelou
had reportedly been in poor health, she was still working on another book (an autobiography about
her experiences with national and world leaders). Angelou's agent said that she had been suffering
from heart problems, which was likely the cause of her death. Angelou's legacy is twofold. She
leaves behind a body of important artistic work that influenced several generations. The 86-year-old
was praised by those who knew her as a truly inspirational person. She was a woman who pushed
for justice, education, and equality.
What Award Did President Obama Give Maya Angelou?
In 2010, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the U.S.,
by President Barack Obama. Today, more than 30 healthcare and medical facilities are named after
Angelou. In fact, she was awarded more than 50 honorary degrees.
What Was Her Greatest Achievement?
Maya Angelou is widely known for her autobiography, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, which was
published in 1969. The book uses events from Angelou's life to touch upon the subjects of sexual
exploitation, identity crisis, and the literacy of women in a male-dominated society.
Why Did She Write 'Still I Rise'?
Angelou's most popular poem refers to the indomitable spirit of black people. Despite adversity and
racism, Angelou expresses her faith that she, the speaker, and the whole of the black people will
overcome their hardships and triumph.
References:
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"Maya Angelou." SwissEduc.com. December 17, 2013. Retrieved October 7, 2019.

Ferrer, Anne. "Angelou's optimism overcame hardships." The Star Phoenix. May 29, 2014.
Retrieved October 8, 2019.
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McGrath, Kim. "Remembering Dr. Maya Angelou." News Center. Wake Forest University.
June 2, 2014. Retrieved October 7, 2019.
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"Maya Angelou," Teaching Tolerance, www.tolerance.org. 2010. Retrieved October 7, 2019.
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"Maya Angelou," www.thestoryweb.com. 2016. Retrieved October 22, 2019.