Introduction The poem “Still I Rise” portrays the speaker, who is presumed to be a black woman, standing up against discrimination with courage. The speaker refuses to be intimidated and keeps rising in victory in the face of all attempts by the oppressor to “shoot,” “cut,” or “kill” her. Angelou was a devoted advocate for civil … Read more
‘Phenomenal Woman is one of the most “popular” poems written by the American poet and civil rights activist Maya Angelou. It was first published in her collection ‘And Still I Rise’. This particular poem keeps featuring in the popular culture again and again because of its crowd-pleasing characteristics. Maya Angelou said that “I write for … Read more
Maya Angelou is an American poet who lived from 1928 to 2014 and witnessed the unspeakable exploitation of African-American people in the United States by the White people. The poem ‘Caged Bird’ is from her collection ‘Shaker, why don’t you sing’ published in 1983. The ’80s is the most productive decade in Maya Angelou’s life … Read more
Maya Angelou was an American poet (1928-2014) known largely for her autobiographical works which express the trauma of Black lives in her country and their strength for liberation and survival. The poem ‘Still I Rise’ is a phenomenal poem read widely for its poignant and powerful narration. Angelou said, “All my work, my life, everything … Read more
Introduction ‘Still I Rise’ is a widely loved poem written by the American poet Maya Angelou. It is from her book “And Still I Rise: A Book of Poems.” The poem reminds us of the African-American tradition of powerful songs written in the face of racial discrimination and further suffering of the black community in … Read more
Introduction The poem Phenomenal Woman is written by civil rights activist and poet Maya Angelou (an African-American). The poem is one of the four poems in her collection Phenomenal Woman: Four Poems Celebrating Women. The poem has been divided into four stanzas. Phenomenal Woman is a free verse poem (has no rhyme scheme). In the poem, the poet challenges … Read more
