Still I Rise Questions and Answers | Class 11 English Second Semester WBCHSE
1. “You may write down in history / With your bitter twisted lies, ….”-Who says this and about whom? What does the word ‘history’ stand for in the pres- ent context? What does the poet mean to say here?
The anti-racist African-American poet Maya Angelou says this to the oppressors and racist people of the country in her poem ‘Still I Rise’.
In the present context of the poem the word ‘history’ stands for the book that deals with life and culture of the civilization.
Here the poet means to say what the oppressors say are distorted causing pain and unhappiness to the people under subjugation. Their statements are false. The poet stands against the oppression and slavery. So, she starts by stating how those words of the oppressors have no power over her.
2. “You may trod me in the very dirt But still, like dust, I’ll rise.” -What does it mean by ‘dirt’? How can one trod other in the dirt? How does the speaker react to this action?
The word ‘dirt’ literally means the substance, such as mud that causes uncleanliness. But, metaphorically, to tread one into the dirt is to treat that person with enormous disrespect and almost shocking violence.
As per tone of the poem ‘Still I Rise’ one can trod other in the dirt by physical oppression or physical subjugation.
No sooner does the speaker feel that she is disrespected and abused in different ways than she is shocked with violence and responds with a kind of resilience and strength that she will rise above all subjugation and oppression. The speaker’s reaction to the action of the oppressors is that of fighting against social evils and raising voice against racism.
3. “Does my sassiness upset you? Why are you beset with gloom?” -Whom does the speaker ask these ques- tions? In what situation do the questions arise in the speaker’s mind? Explain the inner meaning of the questions?
The speaker Maya Angelou puts these questions to the oppressors and the white racists in her poem ‘Still I Rise’.
When the speaker becomes aware of her disrespectful position in the society, her mind protests against the social evils and the above mentioned questions arise in her mind.
Inspite of suffering much from social oppressions, the poet seems to possess enough self-respect and confidence to raise questions to mock and tease the oppressors. She degrades them through her own ways of taunting and ridiculing those who have tried hard to degrade her. Her own “sassiness” proves that, unlike the minds of the oppressors, her mind is free from “gloom”. Her witty questions, however, become the weapons of awakening the mental strength of the Blacks in general.
4. “Just like moons and the suns, With the certainty of tides, Just like hopes springing high, Still I’ll rise.” Who compares herself/himself with natural phenom- ena? What are the hopes compared to? Bring out the inner meaning of the similes?
The poet, Maya Angelou compares herself with natural phenomena in her poem ‘Still I Rise’.
Hopes of the poet in general as well as hopes of the black people are compared to the inevitability of the natural phenomena.
Rising of the sun and the moon is certain. Formation of tides and the presence of air is certain too. The poet is also sure that black people will rise up from oppression and slavery one day. Hence, by using such similes the poet means to say that inner strength of the slaves cannot be destroyed by oppression. Also, hopes within them are as certain as happening of natural phenomena like the rising of the sun and the moon in the sky. Súch similes, however, express the poet’s optimistic outlook, confidence and inner strength.
5. “Did you want to see me broken? Bowed head and lowered eyes?” What prompts the poet to raise these questions? What message does the poet give to the society with these questions?
Here the poet has raised her angry voice against slavery and racism which do not pay due respect to humanity and instead, forces the people to bow their heads and lower their eyes which is a sign of humiliation. But the poet is not a person to submit to any subjugation. An inborn sense of strong self-respect, confidence and hatred against the oppressors prompts her to raise these questions.
The message that the poet gives to the society is that it is necessary to stand against the oppressors with confidence and courage. Those evil powers want submission, ‘bowed head’ and ‘lowered eyes’ thereby, causing humiliation to the mankind. But, the suffering class of humanity must not withstand such insult henceforth. They must protest and must not bow their head or lower their eyes to those oppressors and racist people.
6. “You may shoot me with your words, You may cut me with your eyes, You may kill me with your hatefulness, But still, like air, I’ll rise.” What attitude of the poet is revealed in the lines? How does the poet express her attitude?
The poet Maya Angelou appears to be angry, bold, daring and determined throughout the poem ‘Still I Rise’. With an attitude of open defiance she is confronting those who are attempting to beat her down and oppose her. Despite adversity and racism her indomitable spirit will help her to overcome all hardships and obstacles.
The poet challenges even if the oppressors use scornful words to destroy her, they can. Their hateful look cannot cut her or kill her or stop her or extinguish her hope because they will give her more energy to rise. It is her sheer determination with which she will rise like air, one of the strongest natural phenomena, above all discrimination and abuses. This is how the poet expresses her attitude against the oppressors and racist people of America.
7. “Out of the huts of history’s shame I rise Up from a past that’s rooted in pain I rise.” What do you understand by “the huts of history’s shame”? What does the poet mean to say here?
The history of the blacks of African- American slaves is the history of oppression and humiliation which paints a picture of shame for the mankind. The past lives of the slaves in the huts are deeply rooted in pain. The struggles of the African-American people who emerged from those sad places are painted by the poet’s determined outlook.
The poet means to say here that she will rise whatever the oppressors say or do. She is just unstoppable. At the same time the poet visualises that the slaves will one day rise from such an absurd history of the past sufferings and paint their own picture for the future generation, forming a new identity of boldness, confidence and determination.
8. “I’m a black ocean, leaping and wide, Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.” What does the metaphor “I’m a black ocean, leaping and wide” convey? How does this imagery relate to the poem’s theme of overcoming adversity? How does Angelou’s use of ocean imagery enhance the impact of her message?
The metaphor “a black ocean, leaping and tide” conveys a sense of vastness, depth and unstoppable force, representing the poet’s immense strength and resilience.
The ocean imagery highlights the poet’s ability to rise above all challenges with boundless energy and power. This is how the imagery is related with the theme of the poem.
The poet Angelou’s use of ocean imagery enhances the impact of her message by depicting her strength as vast and powerful. The ocean, with its ability to leap and swell, symbolizes an unstoppable force of nature which suggests that her resilience cannot be contained or diminished. This powerful imagery reinforces the poem’s theme of overcoming adversity, portraying her struggle and triumph as something immense and inevitable. By comparing herself to an ocean, she emphasizes the depth and expansiveness of her spirit which makes her message of resilience and empowerment profoundly impactful.
9. “Leaving behind nights of terror and fear I rise. Into a daybreak that’s wondrously clear I rise.” What are the “nights of terror and fear” referred to here? What does the poet hope in this context?
By the expression “nights of terror and fear” the poet Maya Angelou refers to those years of slavery and darkness. The years of oppression of the black Americans were the dark nights of sufferings, the nights of terror and fear.
The poet is revealing herself that she is determined to leave behind all the effects of slavery and oppression. She plans to rise above all those fearful days and she will allow no one to get in her way. This rise shall be unstoppable. A new dawn-a marvelously clear dawn is awaiting them. She hopes and looks forward to see a glorious day after their long-drawn struggles.
10. “Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave, I am the dream and the hope of the slave.” What are the ‘gifts’ referred to here? Why does the speaker call herself ‘dream’ and ‘hope’ of the slave? How does the poet reflect her cultural identity in this context?
The poet Maya Angelou visualizes that she must make past the days of slavery and oppression into a day of glory where freedom awaits her. This sheer confidence and iron determination that shows are the ‘gifts’ from her ancestors, the fruits of their struggles.
The ancestors dreamt and hoped to come out of pangs and sufferings of slavery and oppression but they could not. The new generation is the culmination of their dreams and will struggle harder than all to take their race to a new height. This rise will be unstoppable. As a representative of the new generation the poet calls herself ‘dream’ and ‘hope’ of the slave.
The poem ‘Still I Rise’ alludes to the African-American experience of slavery and discrimination and in this context the poet reflects her pride in her heritage and the strength she draws from her ancestors, who endured immense hardships and after a long struggle they overcame the days of oppression. Hence, she celebrates her cultural identity and asserts her place in the world with confidence and grace, embodying the spirit of those who came before her.
11. What does the repetition of “I rise” in the con- cluding part of the poem signify? How does this repetition affect the tone of the poem? Why is this important to the overall impact of the poem?
The repetition of “I rise” in the concluding part of the poem signifies Maya Angelou’s resilience, unwavering determination to overcome any obstacles like racism, slavery, oppression or humiliation and rise above them. It also creates a powerful affirmation of her strength.
The repetition creates a tone of confidence and defiance against the social evils. It emphasizes her persistent spirit making the declaration of rising more powerful and impactful and ultimately, makes the poem feel empowering and uplifting.
The repetition is, however, important to the overall impact of the poem because it reinforces the message of resilience and makes the reader feel inspired by her strength and determination. For the reader, it becomes an anthem of strength to overcome any obstacle and not just racial oppression or discrimination.
12. How does the poet, Maya Angelou, use natural imagery to convey the theme of resilience in ‘Still I Rise’?
Maya Angelou, an anti-racist poet, belonging to African-American group, uses natural imagery such as dust, moons, suns, tides, and air in her poem ‘Still I Rise’, to emphasize the inevitability and persistence of her resilience. Despite being trodden, the rising of the dust, the certainty of the cycles of the moon and the sun and the relentless movement of the tides all symbolize the poet’s unyielding spirit. These elements of nature, which are constants and unstoppable, mirror her own determination to rise above adversity, conveying the message that her resilience is as natural and unstoppable as these forces.
13. How does Maya Angelou address the theme of oppression in her ‘Still I Rise’ and what is her response to it?
The poet, Maya Angelou, addresses the theme of oppression in her poem ‘Still I Rise’ by acknowledging the various forms it takes, including historical injustice, bitterness and hatefulness. She recognizes the attempts to demean and suppress her spirit but responds with unwavering defiance and self- assurance. Her response to oppression is articulated through powerful imagery and confident assertions of self-worth, such as comparing her walk to oil wells and laughter to gold mines. This symbolizes her inner wealth and resilience, asserting that despite efforts to subdue her, she will continually rise with dignity and strength.
14. Analyze how the poet Maya Angelou’s personal and cultural identity is reflected in her poem ‘Still I Rise’
The poet Maya Angelou‘s personal and cultural identity is neatly woven into the fabric of the poem ‘Still I Rise’. Her references to the past “rooted in pain” and “history’s shame” allude to the African-American experience of slavery and discrimination. The poem reflects her pride in her heritage and the strength she draws from her ancestors, who endured and overcame immense hardships. Her use of rich, affirming imagery like “black ocean” or “diamonds at the meeting of my thighs” celebrates her identity and asserts her place in the world with confidence and grace, embodying the spirit of those who came before her.
15. How does Maya Angelou use imagery to portray strength and resilience in her poem ‘Still I Rise’? How does the poem reflect Angelou’s view on overcom- ing societal expectations?
Maya Angelou in her poem ‘Still I Rise’ uses vivid imagery such as “like dust, I’ll rise”, “like moons and like suns” and “I laugh like I’ve got gold mines”. These images portray her strength and resilience by comparing her persistence to natural, unstoppable forces and valuable resources. Every imagery emphasizes that her spirit cannot be subdued, reinforcing the theme of the poem that any adversity can be overcome with unwavering confidence.
The poem reflects Angelou’s view on overcoming societal expectations through her defiant and rhetorical questions like “Does my haughtiness offend you?” She challenges societal norms that seek to suppress her, asserting her right to self-assurance and success. By comparing herself to resilient natural elements, she declares her determination to transcend limitations imposed by society, celebrating her individuality and strength.
16. How does the poet Maya Angelou describe her confidence and self-worth in the poem ‘Still I Rise’?
Maya Angelou describes her confidence and self-worth by comparing herself to valuable and powerful things, like “I walk like I’ve got oil wells/Pumping in my living room” and “I laugh like I’ve gold mines/Diggin’ in my own backyard. These comparisons show that she feels rich in spirit and strength. Also these comparisons signify that Angelou sees herself as extremely valuable and powerful. Each of the comparisons shows that she believes in her own worth and refuses to let anyone make her feel less important.
17. What is the significance of the closing lines of the poem ‘Still I Rise’ and how do they encapsulate the overall message?
The closing lines of the poem ‘Still I Rise’: “I am the dream and the hope of the slave. / I rise / I rise / I rise” encapsulate the overall message of resilience and triumph over adversity. These lines highlight the continuity between the poet’s present strength and the historical struggles of her ancestors. By identifying herself as the fulfillment of their dreams and hopes, Angelou honours their legacy and asserts that their sacrifices were not in vain. This triumphant declaration of rising serves as a powerful affirmation of survival, progress, and the enduring spirit of overcoming oppression.
18. Discuss the significance of the tone in ‘Still I Rise’ and how it contributes to the total impact of the poem.
The tone of ‘Still I Rise’ throughout the poem is defiantly triumphant and empowering. Angelou’s confident and assertive voice challenges the forces of oppression with bold statements and rhetorical questions that expose the absurdity of her oppressors’ actions. The tone of unwavering self- assurance and pride amplifies the total impact of the poem, as it transforms the narrative of victimhood into one of victory and strength. The assertive tone engages the readers, instilling a sense of shared empowerment and resilience, and making the poem a powerful anthem of self-respect and determination.
19. In what ways does the poet address the theme of self-worth in the poem ‘Still I Rise’? How does Angelou incorporate the concept of historical leg- acy into her poem?
The poet Maya Angelou addresses the theme of self-worth by celebrating her inherent value and confidence, evident in the lines like “I walk like I’ve got oil wells / Pumping in my living room.” She affirms her dignity and pride, rejecting any attempt to diminish her sense of self. This assertion of self-worth challenges the oppressive forces that seek to undermine her, highlighting her unyielding belief in her own significance.
Angelou incorporates the concept of historical legacy by connecting her personal resilience to the struggles and hopes of her ancestors. The expression like “I am the dream and the hope of the slave” acknowledges the enduring spirit of those who faced immense oppression. She honours their legacy by rising above adversity, suggesting that her strength is a continuation of their resilience. Thus, she links her present triumph to the historical fight for justice and equality.
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