the real still i rise ayanna


Still I Rise              

by Maya Angelou

 

1You 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.

 

2Does my sassiness upset you?

Why are you beset with gloom?

'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells

Pumping in my living room.

 

3Just like moons and like suns,

With the certainty of tides,

Just like hopes springing high,

Still I'll rise.

 

4Did you want to see me broken?

Bowed head and lowered eyes?

Shoulders falling down like teardrops,

Weakened by my soulful cries?

 

5Does 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.

 

6You 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.

 

7Does my sexiness upset you?

Does it come as a surprise

That I dance like I've got diamonds

At the meeting of my thighs?

 

8Out 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.

 

9Leaving 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.

 

The message within the poem.  The questions below are aimed at helping you get the MEANING of this poem. 

  1. What does the title mean? That she dont care about what people have to say about her . remain confident .
  2. Why would someone with such a difficult childhood be able to say “Still I Rise”? she is able to say that because she confident ,
  3. What words support the idea that the author has had a difficult childhood? she is able to say that because she was brought up by strong women shes confident . she talks about leaving behind nights of fear past rooted in pain,.
  4. To whom is the poet writing? the people thats watching or judging her .
  5. What does the poet mean, “I’ll rise,” and what is the impact of the repetition of this phrase? she really means it and wants you to know that
  6. Why does the author ask questions of the reader?its ritorical and  to get the reader involved .
  7. What is a key word in each stanza? 1-bitter 2-sassiness 3-springing 4-lowered 5-haughtiness 6- hatefullness 7-sexiness 8-rooted 9-fear
  8. What words does she use that reflect her personal style?
  9. Find a picture for each stanza to reinforce the power and message of the poem. iwould find a pic of a black wonder woman ,,,,because thats my favorite character.................

 

 

 

 

repetition '' i rise ''

rhyme '' lies and rise gloom and room eyes and crys heart and back yard suprise _gave-slave,,,,,,

symbolism : diamnonds " stand for her p==== '' wealth ,

imagery '' gold minds ''

hyperbole '' words killing her ,

''metaphore : she is a black ocean ' she is the dream hope

question ;  does my sexiness upset youu.

re