Still I Rise

"Every struggle in your life has shaped you into the person you are today. Be thankful for the hard time, they can only make you stronger” (Unknown). Past experiences form you into the individual you are today, whether it’s good or bad. Every experience happens for a reason, in order to shape you and turn you into the right direction. Likewise, Maya Angelou’s poem, Still I Rise, proves how her past experiences helped to shape her into who she is today and her mindset. For instance, Maya’s experience of being degraded as a child causes her to fight against racism now. She uses similes, metaphors, personification, and repetition to emphasize that she will rise above all her try stop her. Due to Maya’s early childhood struggles, she had to fight

At a young age, Angelou struggled with racial prejudice and discrimination. In her poem, she speaks from her own perspective and addresses a third person, who is neither the speaker nor reader. Angelou challenges this third person to answer her rhetorical questions, which showcase her pride and self confidence. In addition, the elements of society that challenge her potential is the antagonist; therefore, Angelou is the protagonist. Although Angelou’s past was atrocious, she manages to put that behind her and pursue her passion of getting African Americans the same rights as whites. With this in mind, Angelou’s tone and attitude is assertive, determined, and confident. She is proud of her accomplishments and the women she’s becoming. As a result, the reader gets to see her confidence as she rises above the discrimination and congregates enough assurance to face any threat that

As the reader may notice, stanzas three and four are precisely identical. Angelou purposely repeats these stanzas to affirm that she will not give up. For instance, Angelou uses a simile to compare herself to the moon and sun. “Just like moons and like suns,” (ln 9). Everyday, the sun and moon continue to rise and set, no matter what. Angelou conveys how she will inevitably advance above all her problems that occur in her life, no matter who is trying to bring her down. Additionally, Angelou uses a metaphor to compare the ocean tides to her hopes. “With the certainty of tides,” (ln 10). Ocean tides can be high and low, and Angelou’s hopes can rise and fall; however, she maintains a positive outlook and tries to keep her hopes up. Again, Angelou uses a simile, but instead, compares her soaring spirits to a spring. “Just like hopes springing high” (ln 11). Springs spring upward, which represents Angelou’s spirits staying strong and high. Although she might be brought down from time to time, she reassures her _______ and advances forward with her fight. In fact, the last sentence in both stanzas is “Still I'll rise.” (ln 12). This is repeated a great deal because Angelou wants her opposers to know she will never give