LITR 5731: Seminar in American Multicultural Literature

Poetry Presentation, spring 2006

Thursday, 2 February

Poetry: Maya Angelou, "Still I Rise" (http://swansong2.tripod.com/poetry/still_i_rise.htm)

Poetry reader / discussion leader: Karen Hrametz

 Maya Angelou, "Still I Rise"

Background:

As nearly all of Maya Angelou’s writing is autobiographical, it is helpful to review briefly the events of her youth in order to facilitate understanding of her work.  I have chosen to concentrate on the challenges she faced, rather than the celebrity she has earned later in life. Like the slave narratives we have read, Angelou’s story demonstrates the great resilience of the African-American spirit, and underscores the role that literature played in the healing process (and as a “key to empowerment” as stated in objective 5c of our syllabus).

About the Author:

Maya Angelou learned about prejudice and hate at a very early age as she witnessed her uncle narrowly escape an encounter with the Klu Klux Klan.  Then, at age 8, she was raped by her mother’s boyfriend, an experience so traumatic that she was voluntarily mute for nearly 6 years.  She credits her love of poetry for helping her to recover.  She was encouraged in her love of literature by her grandmother, with whom she lived when she was not being shuffled between parents.   She gave birth to a son at age 16, and did not attend college.  Some of her early jobs included cocktail waitress, dancer, and cook.  She did not begin writing professionally until she was 40. Today, at 77, she speaks six languages fluently, and is a prolific and celebrated writer, as well as a political activist, actor, director, feminist, and professor.  She was a close associate of Dr. Martin Luther King, whose assassination coincidentally occurred on her birthday. 

Analysis of Poem:

 “Still I Rise” reflects the poet’s journey through difficult times and her will to survive (and to thrive).  The evaluation of this poem reveals its power to call on the conscience of others (objective 1c of course syllabus) in an attempt to evoke understanding of the African-American experience.  This is accomplished through heavy use of simile and metaphor, both of which help to generate strong visual imagery.  The repetition of “I rise” emphasizes the strength of her convictions, which rivals the intensity of the pain she has endured.  By referencing her slave ancestors, Angelou acknowledges the need to connect to her past (objective 3 of course syllabus). 

Angelou challenges the reader to abandon old stereotypes, and to acknowledge instead her pride, success, and comfort in her sexuality (“Does my haughtiness offend you?... Does my sexiness upset you?...).  She understands the importance of her role as a voice for all African-Americans, and the power of words to spread that voice like a “black ocean, leaping and wide.”  “Still I Rise” restates the message that is apparent in all of her written work.

- Poem is read aloud-

Discussion topic:  The narrative of Harriet Jacobs and the poetry of Maya Angelou both lend themselves to discussion of objective 6 in our course syllabus:  to “observe images of the individual, the family, and alternative families in the writings and experience of minority groups.”   

What common threads do we see in the individual and family relationships of these women?  In what ways did their gender make their experience more/less difficult? 

Discussion topic Minorities have long struggled to have their voices heard.  Angelou has achieved great professional success as a writer, yet many Americans may know her best from her appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show and other television ventures.

Does frequent appearance on a popular culture medium such as TV affect the view of Angelou’s work as serious literature?  If so, could the same be said about a white writer with similar credentials?

Discussion topic:  In a previous semester, James Hood wrote: “…a well-crafted poem can make a more profound statement than prose, but the challenge lies in creating certain imagery and provoking meaningful thought…”

            What parts of “Still I Rise” are effective in creating imagery that “speaks” to you? What is the feeling or belief  you will take with you about this poem?