Literary Analysis Of Still I Rise By Maya Angelou

“Still I Rise” is a powerful poem written by a powerful woman who knew what she stood for and was not afraid to express herself. Maya Angelou was an african-american born and raised in the “Jim Crow” south. She was raised around the time of racism and poverty in the 1950s-1960s. The most powerful person in her childhood that shaped her life was her mother’s boyfriend. When she was just seven years old her mother’s boyfriend raped her. When the man was murdered by her uncles for doing that crime, Maya felt responsible. She became mute for 5 years until she finally found her love for language and became to express herself. She later than became one of the most important woman in the African-American Civil Rights Movement. She created a path for other ethnic woman so that they can be heard and express themselves. Maya most often writes about confidence and about the racial prejudice she and the people she knew had to go through. Angelou speaks to other woman through her poem. She tells them it 's alright to be confident about who you are, and

This poem deeply connects to current world issues. Today we are having difficulty with hatred and racism. People have become insecure about who they are and what their religion is. Angelou’s poem states that you should shine as brightly as you can even if people are going to try to blow your light out. You should take what you have and be proud of it. Angelou has written this poem that has a message that everyone today can follow: be true to yourself even if people are going to judge you. In some religions women especially are being attacked because of their religious customs. People are trying to change their inner beliefs. Angelou’s advice could help them see that even though people may hate their traditions they should still be proud of who they are , even if people are going to try to bring them down. Overall, the victims of depression and racism can follow this advice to help overcome hardships because of this