Name:
First, underline the words Dr. Angelou uses to portray of hopelessness, then circle the words
she uses to support the idea of rising above adversity. Use the annotation chart on the back to
look for personification, metaphor, simile. Discuss how these devices help the reader
understand and enjoy the theme and the speaker's tone. As you search for search for similes,
metaphors, personification, and allusions, place them in the annotation boxes.
Still I Rise by: Maya Angelou
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 backyard.
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.
Name:
Annotation Chart
Similes
metaphors
personification
a figure of speech involving the
comparison of one thing with another
thing of a different kind, used to make a
description more emphatic or vivid
(e.g., as brave as a lion, crazy like a fox ).
a figure of speech in which a word
or phrase is applied to an object or
action to which it is not literally
applicable
Personification is when you assign the
qualities of a person to something that
isn't human or, in some cases, to
something that isn't even alive.
But still, like dust, I’ll rise
Bringing the gifts that
my ancestors gave
You may write me down in
history with your bitter, twisted
lies.
That I dance like I've got
diamonds
That I dance like I've got
diamonds
Weakened by my soulful cries
Shoulders falling down like
teardrops
You may shoot me with
your words,
Past rooted in pain
But still I rise, like air, I’ll rise.
‘
You may shoot me with your
words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your
hatefulness,
'Cause I walk like I've got oil
wells
Just like moons and like suns
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I'll rise.
Explanation
Similes:
Angelou's use of simile
deepens the meaning of the
poem by giving the reader a
tangible connection
Example:
She continuously raises herself
up to stay strong, like how the
moon and the sun rises
everyday
Metaphor:
She is worth just as much as
everyone else and therefore
she should receive just as
much respect
Personification of words
shoot, cut and kill.
- "Shoot, cut and kill" relate to
the "painful history" - reality effect emotion
- Shoot, cut and kill - weapons
(gun) - racial prejudice
towards African Americans
- "You" - pronoun (relating to
the oppressor)
Name:
Study Questions for Maya Angelou's "Still I Rise:"
1. What is the overall tone of the poem? Give examples from the text of the poem. What do you think
Angelou is trying to accomplish with her poem?
Overall Tone-Confident, optimistic, strong, undaunted
Example of the Tone: You may kill me with your hatefulness, but still like air, I rise
She is trying to say that no matter what your situation is, there is always hope.
2. Who is “you” in the poem; that is, “who” is the poet addressing? Why is she addressing this “you”?



She is addressing those individuals within society who are oppressing any African-American/Canadian
person.
She addressing the reader to be the change because it up to us to make the change we want to see in the
world.
Each of us can rise above our problems, pain, or sorrow. No matter our situation or race.
3. To what does Angelou compare her hope? Draw some conclusions from this comparison.

She compares moons and suns to hope. Hence, hope will always rise just like the moon and sun rise
each day.
4. What are he “huts of history?” Why must the poet “rise” out of these “huts?”


She is referring to slave housing on plantations in the South before the Civil War
She must rise to get out of the oppression of the past
5. The poet mentions that she’s got (at least) three things that she considers very valuable—things, not
character or personality traits. What are they; what are their significance and meaning?
i. The gifts her ancestors gave
ii.
6. Why is the poet like “air”?

She will always rise above any conflict or problem just like air.
Name:
7. Notice the parallelism between the lines of stanza six (“you”, “you”, “you”) and stanza nine (“I”, “I”,
“I”)—what is the significance of “you” and “I” in this poem? Why is she emphasizing it?



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YOU=OPPRESSOR
I=Heroine
You may try to keep her down, but she will take what her ancestors fought for and continue to work
towards change.
In addition, “I” can rise above anything myself.
8. What is the meaning of her first line: “You may write me down in history/with your bitter, twisted
lies”?

History is often written by those who are charge or the victors. She is trying to say that now what is
written, her truth is all that matters.
9. Why is this an inspiring poem?

This poem is inspiring because it emphasizes the hardships Maya must have faced, but she continues to
make it clear that she will not take for granted what her ancestors sacrificed and continue to fight for her
right to belong.
10. After reading this poem which stanza is most powerful? Rewrite it below and use it as a source of
inspiration when you feel down or bullied.

I find stanza 6 to be the most effective because it shows how Maya will not stand down for what she
knows is right.
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.
Name:
Crossroads
Question #1
A. A memoir is different than a formal written piece because it uses 1st person perspective and discusses
the writers personal thoughts and experiences. Formal written pieces uses 3rd person perspective, refers
to other individuals experiences.
Davis may have chosen this format in order for the reader to feel what the writer experienced with more
vivid words that describe his anguish.
B. Dondre went with school team to play golf at the Caldwell Parish Country Club and he was told he was
not allowed to be there since the club was reserved for whites only. Either Dondre did not play or his
team would forfeit. His teammates decided to leave.
Davis was told he could not go to Glen Echo Amusement park because he was black. Davis’ Grade
Eight classmates decided not to go to the park if he could not go too.
Impact:
Dondre- The whole state was outraged and created a Dondre Green Day
Legislation permitting lawsuits for damages, attorney’s fees, and court costs against any
private facility that invites a team and bars any member because of race.
Davis- The love that was shown to Davis the day that his teammates stood up for him will live with him
forever because that kind of love conquers hatred every time.
C. They were both surprised because they thought that their teammates and classmates would conform to
the norms of society, but instead they stood up against the ignorance of their time.