FINAL ANALYSIS-Still I Rise-Maya Angelou-Natalie Bilal, Amy Colquist, Emily Eng, Sanjana Kowshik

FINAL ANALYSIS-Still I Rise-Maya Angelou-Natalie Bilal, Amy Colquist, Emily Eng, Sanjana Kowshik

1. Theme

   • you can beat someone down as hard as you can but they can still rise
   • nothing stays the same forever
   • it takes time, perseverance, and hard work to get what you want
   • Strength is to keep trying and hold your head high despite what people think or do.
   • hopefulness allows time to take the lead and make change
   • Don's allow others to silence you/ make yourself heard
   • overcoming oppresion
   • endurance, determination, strength
   • overcoming the past and conquering the future

2. Autobiographical Elements

   • Incorporates racial background
     • About African American oppression, which Maya Angelou personally experienced in her life
     • historical references
     • slavery
   • Incorporates personal traits
     • used for basis of inspiration
   • Incorporates her own experiences/ stories into her writing
     • Poem is about her struggle, and also how she becomes strong again
       • Maya Angelou stopped speaking (struggle). Started talking again after discovering new literature/love for reading (strength).

3. Writing Style

   • Narrator
     • 1st person
     • uses similes and comparisons
     • talking directly to someone/the reader
       • addressing white oppressors of African Americans
         • shows negative view towards them
     • social commentary about racism
     • written from the perspective of an African American woman
     • asks questions
   • Figurative Language
     • Metaphors
     • Similes
       • used to portray emotions
         • "laugh like I've got gold mines...", "dance like I've got diamonds..."
           • Confidence
     • Symbols
     • Literary Devices
       • Changes mood in each stanza
       • Questions to engage reader
       • Rhyme- every other sentence
       • Repetition of phrases
     • comparisons
   • Word Choice
     • harsh words to show severity
       • cut
       • kill
       • bitter
       • twisted
       • shoot
     • sorrowful words to show the disparity
       • soulful
       • gloom
       • broken
       • shame
     • racial/geographical pronunciations
       • diggin'
       • 'cause
   • Character Development
     • hopeful for change
     • Perseverence
     • Shows clear anger and defiance
     • Weak at first, by the end the character is strong
     • Struggle, but then confidence shown through words "I rise"

4. Characters

   • African American
     • slave background
   • angry
   • Strong character
     • bold
     • confident
     • determined
   • sasssy
   • haughty
   • personality valued above money