The poem is told from the first-person perspective of a woman who is confidently addressing her critics. She states that though others may try to oppress her through words or actions, she will still rise up like dust or air. The speaker repeats the phrase "Still I'll rise" to emphasize her perseverance. The poem concludes by saying the speaker rises up from a painful past, bringing the gifts of her ancestors, as she is the dream and hope of slaves.

1. Still I Rise
By Maya
Angelou
Natalie Shannon
Per. 3

2. Maya Angelou
 Named “America's most visible black female
autobiographer”
 Common themes: Identity, racism, family (mostly
personal)
Occupations Include:
Poet, civil rights activist,
dancer, film producer,
television producer,
playwright, film director,
author, actress, professor

3. Still I Rise
You may write me down in history You may shoot me with your words,
With your bitter, twisted lies, You may cut me with your eyes,
You may trod me in the very dirt You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like dust, I'll rise. But still, like air, I'll rise.
Does my sassiness upset you? Does my sexiness upset you?
Why are you beset with gloom? Does it come as a surprise
'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells That I dance like I've got diamonds
Pumping in my living room. At the meeting of my thighs?
Just like moons and like suns, Out of the huts of history's shame
With the certainty of tides, I rise
Just like hopes springing high, Up from a past that's rooted in pain
Still I'll rise. I rise
I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Did you want to see me broken? Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.
Bowed head and lowered eyes? Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
Shoulders falling down like teardrops. I rise
Weakened by my soulful cries. Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear
I rise
Does my haughtiness offend you? Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
Don't you take it awful hard I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines I rise
Diggin' in my own back yard. I rise
I rise.

4. Analysis:
 Title: Sounds optimistic and confident, most likely speaker-centered.
 Paraphrase: Lyric poem, so no plot, but obviously a woman who is addressing
an audience who has criticized or doubted her during her lifetime.
 Speaker: Maya Angelou (1st Person), an optimistic, young woman who does not
care what people think and believes she will persevere no matter what comes
her way.
 Figurative Language:
 Simile: “Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I'll rise.”
“Still, like dust, I’ll rise.”
 Metaphor: “I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.”

5. Analysis:
 Tone – confident, optimistic, strong, undaunted
 Shifts – Before last stanza:
“Out of the huts of history's shame
I rise
Up from a past that's rooted in pain
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.”
 Title – “Still I Rise” is pivotal phrase in poem, and is used almost as
a mantra.
 Theme – Although others may criticize what you do,
do not give in to their standards or let their words
hurt you. Be proud and embrace your past, and
what you have become.

6. Lyric Poetry
 Lyric Poetry: A non-narrative, short poem that
reveals the speaker’s personal feeling, emotion,
mode, state of mind, expression, thought,
attitude, etc. in a first person perspective.
 Unlike narratives or epics, contain no plot or story.
 Focuses solely on narrator's feelings and ideas.
 Examples:
 “I,” “my,” “you,” etc.
 Speaker directly addresses audience.
 Sometimes have the feel they could be set to
music.
 One specific phrase they revolve around.

7. Look For:
Use of:
 1st Person Speaker
 Repetition

8. Still I Rise
You may write me down in history You may shoot me with your words,
With your bitter, twisted lies, You may cut me with your eyes,
You may trod me in the very dirt You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like dust, I'll rise. But still, like air, I'll rise.
Does my sassiness upset you? Does my sexiness upset you?
Why are you beset with gloom? Does it come as a surprise
'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells That I dance like I've got diamonds
Pumping in my living room. At the meeting of my thighs?
Just like moons and like suns, Out of the huts of history's shame
With the certainty of tides, I rise
Just like hopes springing high, Up from a past that's rooted in pain
Still I'll rise. I rise
I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Did you want to see me broken? Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.
Bowed head and lowered eyes? Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
Shoulders falling down like teardrops. I rise
Weakened by my soulful cries. Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear
I rise
Does my haughtiness offend you? Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
Don't you take it awful hard I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines I rise
Diggin' in my own back yard. I rise
I rise.