1/3/2024 0 Comments Dafont for iphone![]() ![]() The rhythm of the piece, which is consistent before the last couple stanzas, also changes. This is the most powerful part of the piece for many. These lines are shorter to emphasize that the most important thing is that she will rise above it all, and are almost meant to be read as a battle cry, being repeated thrice in a row. However, this is not the case, for example, when the author writes, “I rise” (41-43) as stand-alone lines at the very end. The lines of the poem are mostly similar in length. At first glance, it may seem that the change of the stanzas’ lengths are just used to organize the different parts of the piece, but when one looks deeper, they may also notice that this change in organization could be used to make the reader realize and pay attention to the fact that she is not just referring to herself when she mentions how others try to treat her poorly, and is instead referring to an entire race of individuals who often experience the same issues. However, stanzas 8 and 9 begin talking about her race, explaining that her people have shared this oppression. All of them have to do with her personal struggles. The consistency of stanzas 1-7 shows the reader that the topics included in them are similar. The only two stanzas deviating from this pattern are stanzas 8 and 9, where stanza 8 has six lines and stanza 9 has nine lines. Stanzas 1-7 consistently have four lines each. The organization of the poem can also help the reader’s understanding. She had simply had enough, and that can be seen when reading this piece. Seeing others act in ways that rebel against the racist society they lived in could have inspired her to act the same way, leading to the creation of this poem. Such success might have contributed to her confidence and pride in being a black woman. The fight for African American civil rights accomplished quite a lot between her birth and the writing of this poem. Angelou was also born in a time of great change. ![]() There is no doubt that she could have identified with how a slave from the past may have felt, still being a victim of oppression herself, which explains why she mentions slavery in line 40. Being treated like she was worth less than others would ignite a flame in anyone, and this is shown throughout the poem. Although she was born after the time period when slaves were kept, segregation was still rampant in her area as she grew up, as she was born in Missouri in 1928. It was written in 1978 by an African American woman, which explains why she mentions her ancestors and rising up “from a past that’s rooted in pain.” (31) She is clearly referring to the mistreatment of African Americans in the United States. This historical context of this piece is very important. Rebellion against the views of the racists in society or even just her personal enemies fuels the strong and passionate wording of this poem. Inner strength is the source of her defiance here she never once mentions outside support. By saying she will rise, she means to triumph and overcome. Clearly, she does not mean the violent verbs she uses literally they are used to show the goal the enemy has of bringing her down in society, whether as an individual or as an African American. Just like in the previous excerpt, figurative language is used to make her point. They can aim to hurt her with words, glares, and even just hatred itself, yet they will not succeed. The stanza above supports the same conclusion. However, her optimism makes her believe that their bitterness will only serve to lift her higher, which I interpret as Angelou’s way of saying that what does not kill her will only make her stronger. Instead, she uses it figuratively to tell how they treat her with disrespect. ![]() She does not mean “You may trod me in the very dirt,” (3) in a literal sense. Just like dust rises after being stomped upon, she will do the same. ![]() She is saying that even if they try to tarnish her legacy with false statements and treat her as if she is worthless, she will not let it impact how she sees herself. It is clear from the very first stanza that this poem is meant to stand up against those who aim to crush you: ![]()
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