A critical analysis of two poems still i rise and absence

This poem is her declaration that she, for one, would not allow the hatefulness of society to determine her own success. She goes from being challenging and pomposity to making a statement with a much deeper meaning.

The same rhetorical device from previous stanzas is used in the fourth stanza but in this case, it creates a more dramatic tone, the narrator knowing that her bullies want to see her "broken" 13with "Bowed head and lowered eyes" It is not simply a private, lyric meditation.

In "Still I Rise," Stanza 6 brings the oppressive issue to a climax so to speak. What this heroic man did changed the lives of many people at that time and has also influenced the lives of many people today.

Why are you beset with gloom.

In the last stanza Just like moons and like suns — simile Comparing how she continuously raises herself up emotionally to stay strong just, like how the moon and sun rises everyday no matter what happens. Angelou early experienced the twin forces that would determine the shape of her life and the nature of her career: It implies that something normally seen as merely bothersome can actually possess a kind of resilience and strength.

She proclaims that society cannot prevail against her even if it managed to have her killed because of its hatefulness.

The first line suggests that the telling of the history of slaves in America has long be controlled by whites who decided what was recorded in books and what was true as they saw it, but never spoke of the reality of slave life—forced to leave their homes and be treated like property Still I Rise Analysis Stanza 1 In this stanza, Maya Angelou gives of her heart and soul to declare that nothing and no one could oppress her or keep her down.

They expect her to bow her head down and lower her eyes, looking at the ground with shoulders drooping in despair.

The poem does not begin by emphasizing physical subjugation or literal violence. This is a poem of challenge to those who wish to place a person of color into the limited confines of the past, and a declaration of freedom—after a very long journey—bringing the black race to freedom and dignity: It is not simply a private, lyric meditation.

Similes and metaphor abound. The second stanza continues with the same tone Her strength and defiance are clear. Relatedly, this poem can relate to the famous quote: This is a poem aimed at the oppressor. You may write me down in history With your bitter, twisted lies.

The poem is both highly political and highly personal. You 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.

However, in stanzas 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, and 9 the significance and severity of her tone overpowers the humour. They expect her to speak in a weakened voice. As surely as the movement of the moon and the sun, and consequently, the occurrence of high tides and low tides, black women will stand up for the respect they deserve unswervingly.

There are moons and suns, tides and black ocean; there's clear daybreak and ancestral gifts, all joining together in a crescendo of hope. The speaker is implicitly responding to decades and even centuries of oppression and mistreatment. She lets society know that it cannot prevail against her with words or looks.

No matter what happens or what is thrown at Maya Angelou, she will always rise. The theme of "Still I Rise" is really about self respect, and confidence. In the poem, she reveals how she will overcome anything with her self-esteem.

Nov 25,  · In some lines for example “’Cause I laugh like I’ve got gold mines” the tone changes almost to a point where the reader is chuckling like how it says in the poem. The main theme in the poem Still I Rise is discrimination.

This poem portrays a strong person living with a positive attitude. Maya Angelou's famous poem 'Still I Rise' is part of a collection similarly titled 'And Still I Rise.' This collection is an excellent example. Maya Angelou's "Still I Rise" is a poem about strength and endurance, and about affirmation.

It is about what is expected of a person like the speaker (in terms of controlling her), and what that person is capable of doing despite expectations. Oct 30,  · Analysis of "Still I Rise" This stirring poem is packed full of figurative language and when read through comes over as a sort of secular hymn to the oppressed and abused.

The message is loud and clear - no matter the cruelty, regardless of method and circumstance, the victim will rise up, the slave will overcome mobile-concrete-batching-plant.coms: 4. This essay will provide a critical appreciation of two poems. The first poem discussed will be ‘Still I rise’ by Maya Angelou the second poem will be ‘Absence’ by Elizabeth Jennings.

A description of the subject matter and ideas contained in each poem will be included.

A critical analysis of two poems still i rise and absence