Still I Rise - Maya Angelou (Reading Log) - 885 Words

Still I Rise Maya Angelou The poem ‘Still I Rise’ written by American author Maya Angelou is written from the perspective of Maya herself. She is speaking to her audience of oppressors about how she has overcome racism, criticism, sexism, and personal obstacles in her life with pride and grace. It describes her personal struggle through life and how she managed to pull through and how she will continue on her life journey. This poem is historically rooted with mentions of slavery, a â€Å"past of pain† and â€Å"gifts of ancestors†; she is however speaking in the present and how she is embarking on a new journey. Throughout this poem we are introduced to various themes and symbols, a strong symbol being the ‘rising of the dust’. Dust only rises†¦show more content†¦This poem is more than any ordinary poem as Maya interacts with her audience; she describes the highs and lows of her life and history. I enjoyed reading this poem as it brought about a sense of justice and it has opened my mind to what other countries can truly be like. I myself have experienced emotions that Maya herself has felt, last year my grandmother passed away. It was the first time in my life where I had lost a loved one. It was a strange and horrible experience that I will never forget. It knocked me down and it took some time before I was able to stand on my own two feet again. The fact that I know she is in a better place know motivates me to live my life to the fullest. I am lucky that I will never experience the racism, discrimination, sexism all the other negative obstacles that have affected her life. I am blessed to have been brought up in such a beautiful country, with such a loving family. Maya has portrayed her life in a poem, it is inspiring and she has risen from the ground to live a successfulShow MoreRelatedPerspectives on Hope: Eudora Weltys A Worn Path, and Maya Angelous Still I Rise1594 Words   |  7 Pagescomfort, strength and encouragement. Eudora Welty’s â€Å"A Worn Path† is a story of one woman’ s hopeful, determined journey. Overcoming every obstacle and distraction in her path, she perseveres in order to complete her objective. Similarly, Maya Angelou’s â€Å"Still I Rise† tells the story of strength and resilience during adversity. The poem is a celebration of the endurance and hope of the African-American race. While both of these narratives highlight the unfortunate American history of racism, the stories