Still I Rise- Maya Angelo

 UNIT-II

POETRY

4. Still I Rise

                            by Maya Angelo

About the poet

                    Maya Angelou was an American poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist. She published seven autobiographies, three books of essays, several books of poetry, and is credited with a list of plays, movies, and television shows spanning over 50 years. She received dozens of awards and more than 50 honorary degrees

Summary

                   Maya Angelou was an American of African descent. She suffered racial discrimination in her country like any other fellow coloured people. But, she was one among those who rebelled against the white domination and injustice.

"You may write me down in history

With your bitter, twisted lies"

                    Maya asserts strongly that she would rise like dust particles despite being trodden into the very dust and maligned by twisted lies. She taunts at her oppressors and asks if they are gloomy because she is lively and cheerful as a rich owning oil wells. Maya says her rise is as certain as the tides and strong hope.

Does my haughtiness offend you?

Don't you take it awful hard

                  Whenever a slave demands equality, his spirit is crushed. A Black's haughtiness offends the White. They want to see the Black as a submissive slave. The Black is crushed to such an extent that his soulful cry is not heard. He becomes so weak that he doesn't dare ask for equality. She asserts that she would rise like air despite being abused and reviled or stared at her with contempt or demean her to weaken her spirit with hatred. She knows that it pinches a white man to see beauty in any Black. They take it granted that a black woman should be ugly. She knows that she is beautiful and that pinches the White.

                   Maya is so bold to say that she possesses the treasure of womanhood between her thighs. She asks her oppressor if he is surprised by her sexy look. She has resolved to come out of the shameful and painful life that her ancestors have been leading so far.

                Maya Angelo compares herself to a wide ocean that bears the swelling tides. It means, that the soul of a Black person is filled with agony and misery. Finally she says she would come out of those dark nights of fear and terror in to the day full of dignity, peace and joy.She stands as a model or an icon to her black community and she is their dream and hope for a nice and dignified life.

"Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,

I am the dream and the hope of the slave."

                 Maya is confident of leading her miserable lot, armed with the gift ( boldness to fight for justice) that has been given to her by her predecessors.