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Angelou Perseverance

921 Words4 Pages

Maya Angelou was a civil rights activist, poet, and award-winning author known for her 1969 memoir, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings”, which was the first non-fiction bestseller by an African-American woman; concluding in leaving a great trace in the literary history. Behind Maya Angelou’s successful work, she used to have a difficult childhood; beginning from her parents splitting up, then experiencing racial prejudices when she and her brother moved to Arkansas to live with their father’s mother, to being raped at age seven by her mother’s boyfriend during a visit. As a result, for this sexual assault, Angelou’s uncles killed the boyfriend, since then, Angelou spent five years as a virtual mute. Under those circumstances, Angelou felt …show more content…

Maya Angelou compares herself to the dust; she rises like dust above the dirt that has been trampled on. Expressly, Angelou points out her determination with the use of the following quote: “ You may tread me in the very dirt / But still like dust, I’ll rise”. Angelou assures that she will rise despite any obstacles faced. Additionally, Angelou compares herself to daily occasions, like the sun and moon rising and setting every day. As Angelou mentions in her poem, “Just like moons and like sun / With the certainty of tides /...Still I’ll rise”. Angelou displays her readiness and perseverance for oncoming barriers; she refers to the tides as threatening …show more content…

Angelou compares herself to the raised dust above the dirt that has been stepped on by using simile; in which it explains Angelou’s determination in raising her value. Furthermore, Angelou explains her continuation in having faith and being persistent through comparing them with the continuation of the rising moon and the sun. Also, as previously mentioned, words and physical interpretations have the power to hurt others like weapons; Angelou proves this fact by using the literary device “hyperbole”. As, Angelou compares herself to the air that does not get affected and still rise. Finally, Angelou restates King’s well-known speech “I Have a Dream” using allusion; Angelou uses a powerful tone to motivate the slaves who represent the African-American people in achieving the dream through hope. Angelou acknowledges the obstacles and aware of the occurring injustice, but has faith in turning the dream a true living matter. Accordingly, Maya Angelou’s “Still I Rise” illustrates the meaning of real perseverance; having the strength and faith to overcome barriers. After all, Angelou through her poem questions the audience; in order for them to relate and engage in it. Through Angelou’s poem “Still I Rise”, her audience is open-minded and aware of the world’s struggles, not to mention, the power changing into the better is between their

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