Maya Angelou's Third Volume of Poetry: And Still I Rise
Maya Angelou's third volume of poetry, And Still I Rise, was published in 1978 by Random House. It came during a particularly prolific period in Angelou's life. She had already written three autobiographies and two previous poetry collections. She wrote about the struggles and triumphs of her life, and her poetry became an inspiration to readers of all races and backgrounds.
Overcoming Oppression
"Still I Rise" is about the resiliency of black people in an oppressive society. Angelou uses comparisons to make her point. She compares black resilience to the sturdiness of a rock and a tree. These comparisons symbolize the resilient spirit of Black people.
"Still I Rise" features different poetic techniques and figurative language. Some of these techniques are anaphora, alliteration, enjambment, and similes. Anaphora occurs when a word is repeated multiple times, as in the poem's stanza six. Alliteration occurs when two words start with the same letter, as in the stanzas that start with "rock."
"Still I Rise" is a powerful book about overcoming oppression and achieving self-respect. Maya Angelou demonstrates that if you have self-respect, you can overcome anything. Her words are empowering and make you believe that nothing can hold you back. Maya Angelou experienced slavery and saw how it affected her life and the lives of her people.
Overcoming Addiction
Despite the myth that relapsing is inevitable, recovery is actually quite possible. In fact, a recent study by the U.S. National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that more than 75 percent of people recover from substance abuse. Recovery is a developmental process and requires new behavior, which takes months. But there are coping strategies that can be learned and practiced to outwit cravings and create a new identity.
While recovery may be possible for anyone, it is often very difficult to maintain new behavior. It requires that a person restructure their daily life. The key is to shift one's thinking so that a new circuit is formed in the brain. This changes the way the brain responds to normal rewards and improves self-control.
Another key step in overcoming addiction is acknowledging the problem. Addiction is a complex disorder that can't be solved overnight. A person can rewire the brain only after acknowledging that he or she is addicted to substances.
Overcoming Racism
Still I Rise is about the brave defiance of a black woman against her oppressors. The oppressor, addressed as "you," is full of bitter lies and hatred towards the speaker and tries to break her down both physically and mentally. However, the speaker never gives up, and her defiance is what propels her to continue rising.
Aibileen's story demonstrates the plight of many people. The white people in this country have very little respect for coloured people, as evidenced by the fact that they have separate bathrooms for each selective race. Yet, her story gives us hope for a world where racism is abolished.
This poem addresses the oppression experienced by Black people throughout history, and the speaker condemns her oppressors fiercely. She declares that she will make her ancestors proud by fighting her oppressors. This poem shows that overcoming racism is a universal concept that transcends geographical boundaries.
Overcoming Prejudice
Still I Rise is a poem that is packed with figurative language, and reads like a secular hymn to the oppressed. Although the poem was written by Nelson Mandela, who spent 27 years in prison, it reflects a more universal theme, overcoming prejudice and embracing your individuality.
In this poem, the speaker is speaking as a black woman who rises above her prejudice and oppression. While acknowledging her ancestors, she speaks for her community, as well as the people of color. Near the end of the poem, she explicitly names slavery, which shows the collective experiences of black people.
Still I Rise is considered the best poem by Maya Angelou and has had a huge impact on society. Many coloured people look up to her as an icon and a black, independent woman who overcame prejudice. In her book, Angelou shows that women of colour do not need to be afraid to be themselves because of their skin color.
