MODULE 5

POEMS
CHAPTER 13
THE ROAD NOT TAKEN
PART A
1. Where does the poet find himself?
The poet finds himself at a fork in the road
2. Why does the poet feel sorry?
He felt sorry because he can not travel both roads before him.
3. What does the poet feel about the road that he has taken?
The poet feels that the decision to take the road less travelled by is irreversible and
significant. That has made all the difference in his life.
4. Explain the phrase "how way leads on to way".
The way one takes in life needn't always take one back because in the journey of life a way
may lead to many others. In other words, the courses of our life are unpredictable.
PART B
1. Is the poet uncertain about his choice? Why?
The poem 'The Road Not Taken' dwells on the dilemma one faces in life while making
choices. Written in the first person, it is deceptively simple. But it carries deeper layers of
complexity beneath the surface. The traveller in the poem hesitates on deciding which path to
take when he arrives at a fork in the road. At last he decides to proceed along the road less
travelled by, although he realises that the decision seems crucial and irreversible. The last two
lines of the poem are exceptionally ambiguous and are interpreted differently as expressing pride
and regrets. However, that the traveller himself is in two minds about the rightness of his choice
is pretty certain. But it is regret on his part that strikes the reader rather than pride.
2. What is the meaning of the phrase "that made all the difference"?
The poem 'The Road Not Taken' dwells on the dilemma one faces in life while making
choices. Written in the first person, it is deceptively simple. But it carries deeper layers of
complexity beneath the surface. The traveller in the poem, hesitates on deciding which path to
take when he arrives at a fork in the road. At last he decides to proceed along the road less
travelled by, though he realises the decision seems crucial and irreversible. The last two lines of
the poem are exceptionally ambiguous and are interpreted differently as expressing pride and
regret. The poet is haunted by the dichotomy of his attitude towards his choice of the road that he
had taken. It was the road less travelled by. Most people take the most travelled road in life
because it is not paved with obstacles and difficulties. But the poet chose to take the other road.
One cannot say for certain whether he really regrets it or not.
3. Write a short note on the images used in the poem.
The poem 'The Road Not Taken' dwells on the dilemma one faces in life while making
choices. The poem looks very simple, deceptively simple. But it carries deeper layers of
complexity beneath it. The poet uses a number of symbols and images in the poem to convey his
ideas and points. 'Road' itself is the most powerful symbol. It refers to the journey of life one
undertakes here on earth. There are occasions in every one's life when he/she is called u to make
choices as to the course to be taken in life. It is upon like standing at a fork in the road and
hesitating which way to proceed along. There are smooth roads and grass covered roads, the
former refers to easy choices and the latter to hard choices. And it is the grassy road that the poet
opts for and he belongs to the minority. The poem is verily a paradigm of those who take the
difficult course in life.
4. How do the two roads differ in the poem?
The poem 'The Road Not Taken' dwells on the dilemma one faces in life while making
choices. Written in the first person, it is deceptively simple. But it carries deeper layers of
complexity beneath the surface. The traveller in the poem, hesitates on deciding which path to
take when he arrives at a fork in the road. The two roads in the poem differ from each other. One
road is seen leading to the undergrowth and the other one as grassy. The latter seems to be the
one less travelled by and needs wear. After a few moments of hesitation, the traveller chooses to
proceed along the second road. Both roads symbolise the courses of different people in life.
Some take the easy and broad path whereas more adventurous people take the grass covered
road. And the poet belongs to the latter group.
5. How does the poem become a metaphor for life?
The poem 'The Road Not Taken' dwells on the dilemma one faces in life while making
choices. Written in the first person, it is deceptively simple. But it carries deeper layers of
complexity beneath the surface. The traveller in the poem hesitates on deciding which path to
take when he arrives at a fork in the road. After moments of hesitation, he decides to proceed
along the grassy road, which is less travelled by. The poem is a metaphor for life. The pivotal
word 'road' in the title stands for the journey of life. Our life on this earth is a pilgrimage or a
journey. As we progress, our path is often beset with dilemmas. A time may come when we are
at the cross roads, hesitating to decide which road to take. Some may choose the easy path while
others the one paved with obstacles. It is those who try to cross the narrow gate and the narrow
road who are likely to be the heroes and heroines of the world. Although the poem renders itself
to many exegeses, this is the obvious theme of the poem.
PART C
1. The poem is a celebration of uncertainties. Elucidate.
 This article deals with the Road Not Taken summary written by Robert Frost and published
in the year 1916. The Road Not Taken Summary is a poem that describes the dilemma of a
person standing at a road with diversion. This diversion symbolizes real-life situations.
Sometimes, in life too there come times when we have to take tough decisions. We could not
decide what is right or wrong for us.
Driven by our hopes and ambitions, we take a decision taken by fewer people. We think that
if fail to seek accomplishments we could get a chance to change and start again. However, we
travel too far and have to regret at the end. Also, it is possible that we could become an
extraordinary person because of that one decision. Thus, this poem focuses on making wise
decisions in life.
This poem signifies a situation where the poet was walking down a road that had a
diversion. He had to choose between the two paths. Since he was a single person, he could
choose only one of the two paths. The wood was yellow which represents a world full of people
who have been residing for many years.
The poet kept standing at that fork and looked at the paths very carefully. He looked as far
as he could. Before moving forward on one path, he wants to understand how it was. Was it
suitable for him to walk on it or not? He was able to see the path till from where it got curved.
However, afterward it was covered with trees and thus was hidden. He wanted to understand the
advantages and disadvantages of the paths. The same happens in life too. We have to make
decisions thinking about its good and bad consequences in the future.
The poet looked at one path for a long time to decide whether it’s good or not for him. Then
he takes the alternative path as he feels that both paths are equally good. He feels that the path he
chose was better for him. The path was grassy which depicted that it was walked over by fewer
people and also, it was ‘wanted wear”.
It depicted that the path was unused. However, as he walks on the path for some distance,
he realizes that both the paths were similarly worn out. Even in our life, every decision has its
own good and bad consequences. We might think we are in a better position than the others but it
is not the reality.
The poet says that the two paths looked similar that morning. Both were having leaves on
them. No one stepped on that and thus they were green. He decided to move forward on one
path and keep the other for another day. Although he knew that he would not be able to return
back as one path would lead to another. This happens in life too. We make a decision and move
forward in that direction. We think that we would get a chance to start over again if we fail. But
that does not happen.
The poet says that sometime in the future, he will take a deep breath and tell that once in a
lifetime he had to take a tough decision. He was standing at a diversion of two roads. Both
looked to him equally well. Thus, he decides to move forward on the road which fewer people
took. As a result, it has made him what he is today. That one decision shaped his future.
 Similarly, in the future, when we grow up, and then we have to say that once upon a time
when you were in your youth, you have to take tough decisions. The choice made by you had
made you what you are today. Thus, the article of the poem the road not taken summary gives a
very strong message to the people.
It tells us to be careful in making decisions in life. One should be very wise and careful
while making choices as our choices shape our future. Also, once we make a decision, it is very
difficult to change and start again. One bad decision could make us regret it throughout life. All
this depends on the choices we make today.

CHAPTER 14
INVICTUS
PART A
1. What does the 'night' signify in the first line of the poem Invictus?
Night' in the first line of the poem signifies the darkness and agony that envelopes the sickly
poet afflicted by tuberculosis. The night then becomes a symbol of hopelessness, a depressive
medium in which the soul is lost.
2. Whom does the poet thank for his unconquerable soul?
The poet is thankful to the gods for his unconquerable soul.
3. What is meant by "place of wrath"?,
. By the expression place of wrath' the poet seems to refer to this earth of ours afflicted by
terrible pestilences like tuberculosis. The "place of wrath and tears" refers to the world of the
living, in which he is both angry and sorrowful at what he endures as a man with tuberculosis.
4. How does the narrator call himself?
. The narrator calls himself the master of his own fate and the captain of his own soul.'
PART B
1. What does the title "Invictus" signify?
The poet Henley's life was a series of tragedies. Afflicted by tuberculosis he spent long days
and nights in hospital. He also lost his left leg below the knee owing to the disease. While in
hospital, Henley found consolation and peace of mind through composing poems. And Invictus'
is one such poem. The title of the poem 'Invictus' is a Latin masculine adjective meaning
'unconquered' or invincible'. Invictus, meaning unconquerable or undefeated in Latin, was
written in 1875 by William Ernest Henley. The poem was inspired by his own invincible will
power in the face of the fatal disease that afflicted him. Thus the poem mirrors the indomitable
courage with which an individual battles the adversities of life. Though sorrow-stricken, the poet
proclaims that he is the master of his fate and the captain of his soul.
2. Comment on the images used in the poem.
Afflicted by tuberculosis, Henley had to spend long days and nights in hospital. As a result of
the fatal illness, his left leg was amputated too. In spite of it all he fought the disease stoically,
never abandoning hope. Here is a poem rich in symbolism and suggestive imageries that convey
the poet's tragic and pathetic plight "His life is a long dark night that covers him all over both
physically and mentally like a benighted pit. He is in the cruel grip of adverse circumstances. A
horrible fate has dealt a mortal blow on his head. His head bleeds, but is unbowed. The horrific
shadow of death looms before him from this earth of wrath and tears. In spite of it all, he remains
fearless. His spirit is invincible. The powerful images the poet employs in the poem effectively
conveys the poet's plight and his struggle to conquer it.
3. Comment on the last two lines of the The poem
'Invictus' portrays Henley's battle with a malignant fate. Suffering from tuberculosis, he had
to be in hospital for long nights and days. Although he passed through the long dark night of the
soul, he never allowed hope to abandon him. He fought his fate with calmness, courage and
resignation. To question John Milton, his mind was its own place and could make a hell of
heaven and heaven of hell. Henley employs very powerful symbols and images to convey his
battle with adversity. They all mirror the invincibility of his will power and his fortitude in the
face of mortal pain. He rounds off the poem with a memorable couplet which used to inspire and
console such eminent men like Nelson Mandela while he was in prison. "I am the master of my
fate./I am the captain of my soul." What the poet means by these immortal lines is that it is our
will power that sustains our strength and hope. If one does strive, one can always be the master
of one's fate and the captain of one's soul.
4. Bring out the words of suffering in the poem Invictus.
The poet, Henley's life was one of long suffering. Suffering from tuberculosis, he spent long
days and nights in hospital. He also had his left leg amputated. In spite of it all, he faced the
adversities of life with courage, hope and resignation. The poet employs a string of symbols and
images to convey his tragic plight. He says he is enveloped in darkness, which is black as the pit
from pole to pole. He is in the cruel clutch of adverse circumstances. But he does not cry. His
head has been struck with a terrible weapon by fate. His head bleeds. Yet it is unbowed. The
words of suffering and the images used by the poet in 'Invictus' effectively conveys the agony
and anguish he suffers and his indomitable spirit too.
PART C
1. How does the poem become a manifesto of the poet's life?
William Ernest Henley was a late Victorian poet. He lost his left leg owing to tuberculosis.
His poem "In Hospital" reflects his traumatic experiences. 'Invictus' is one his Hospital' poems. It
was written while the poet was in the isolation ward of a hospital because of tuberculosis. The
masculine Latin adjective Invictus' means unconquered
The poem focuses on the unconquerable will power and the calm courage with which the
poet overcame adversity. As a poem that engages with themes of inner strength and
perseverance, it is celebrated for its concluding couplet:
"I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul."
Nelson Mandela used to recite this poem to his fellow prisoners while he was imprisoned in
Robben Island. The poem is verily a manifesto of Henley's life.
The poet feels that he is benighted by the horrible disease that is afflicting him. Black as the
pit from Pole to Pole the night covers him. Yet his will power sustains his invincible soul and he
is grateful to the gods for it. He is in the clutch of circumstances. But he does not writhe in pain
or cry. A malignant fate has dealt a terrible flow on his head. But his blood covered head is
unbowed.
The horror of the shadow of death appears menacingly from beyond this place of wrath and
tears. But the poet remains unafraid and stoically calm. The words of Jesus as given in the gospel
according to Matthew now come to the poet's mind. "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is
the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is
the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only few find it. And the poet wants to take
the narrow path leading to life. The poem is really an attempt on the part of the poet to sustain
his spiritual strength and indomitable will power in the face of the fatal ailment that is being
visited upon him. It enables him to proclaim with confidence that he will not flag and fail
whatever be his physical circumstance.
2. Comment on the biblical allusion in the poem.
William Ernest Henley was a late Victorian poet. He lost his left leg owing to tuberculosis.
His poem "In Hospital" reflects his traumatic experiences. "Invictus' is one his 'Hospital' poems.
It was written while the poet was in the isolation ward of a hospital because of tuberculosis. The
masculine Latin adjective Invictus' means unconquered or invincible.
The poem focuses on the unconquerable will power and the calm courage with which the
poet overcame adversity. As a poem that engages with themes of inner strength and
perseverance, it is famous for the concluding couplet:
"I am the master of my fate,
I am the captain of my soul."
Nelson Mandela used to recite it to his fellow prisoners while he was incarcerated on Robben
Island. The poem is verily a manifesto of Henley's life.
The poet feels that he is benighted by the horrible disease that is afflicting him. Black as the
pit from Pole to Pole the night envelopes the poor soul. Yet his will power sustains his invincible
soul and he is thankful to his gods for it. He is in the cruel clutch of adverse circumstances But
he does not writhe in pain or cry. A malignant fate has dealt a terrible flow on his head. But his
bloody head does not bend.
The horror of the shadow of death appears menacingly from beyond this place of wrath and
valley of tears. But the poet remains stoically blow and fearless.
The words of Jesus as given in the gospel according to Matthew now comes to his mind
giving him strength and fortitude. "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad
is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow
the road that leads to destruction. and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the
road that leads to life, and only few find it. It now dawns on the poet that facing the tragedies of
life with resignation is the narrow path that leads him to peace and salvation. And he chooses the
narrow path. Even while he is benighted by untold afflictions and sorrows, he pins hope in the
words of Jesus that brings him solace and peace, a peace that surpasses all human understanding.

CHAPTER 15
GOOD AND EVIL
PART A
1. How does the poet justify gaining for oneself?
When a person strives to gain for himself, he is like a root that clings to the earth and sucks
her breast. So it is justifiable.
2. Why does good eat from the dark caves' and drink 'dead waters'?
Almustafa considers evil as good itself tortured by its own hunger and thirst. Naturally,
when good is hungry, it seeks to get food even in dark caves and when thirsty, it drinks even
dead waters. The poet here seems to mean that, one cannot be blamed for satiating one's hunger
and thirst in any manner.
3. What does Gibran say about a divided house?
Gibran says that a person is good when he is pen with himself. But he is not evil when he is not
one with himself. It is only a divided house and a divided house cannot be considered as a den of
thieves.
4. What happens to the boat when it loses its rudder?
When it loses its rudder, a boat may wander aimlessly among perilous in lands but will not sink.
5. Why does the poet use the image of the torrent and a flat stream?
Longing for self-realisation is a sign of Goodness. The poet uses the image of a torrent to refer to
a strong longing and that of a flat stream to refer to a weak longing
PART B
1. How is the root different from the fruit?
When an elder of the city asks Almustafa to speak about good and evil he says that he can
speak only of good and not of evil, because evil is not an existing reality. It is only the absence of
good. He does not consider striving for gain as evil. It is like a root that clings to the earth and
sucks at her breast. The fruit cannot ask the root to be like it, ripe, full and abundant. If for the
fruit, giving is a need for the root, receiving is a need. By juxtaposing the lives of the root and
fruit, the poet effectively analyses the attempt of a person to seek gain for himself.
2. What is evil according to Khalil Gibran?
In the phrase poem 'Good and Evil' Khalil Gibran explores the complexities and
mysteriousness of human nature. Here the prophet Almustafa becomes the meeting point of
Islam and Christianity, literature and philosophy and east and west. When a city dweller asks
him to speak of good and evil, he answers that he can speak only of Good because evil is nothing
but the absence of good. It is not an existential reality. It is like darkness. Darkness is non-
existent. Only light is existent. Darkness is only a negation. Similarly evil is also a negation. In
the poem, Gibran questions the common concept of the dualism of good and evil. In this context,
one may also note that the old definition of God and Devil, and Good and Evil is sometimes
replaced by the idea that God(Good) contains both good and evil.
3. How does the poet speak of good through the images of speech and walk?
In the poem 'Good and Evil' Khalil Gibran explores the complexity and mysteriousness of
human nature. When requested to speak about good and evil the prophet Almustafa replies that
he can speak only of Good because evil is something non-existent. The poet prophet in the
course of his speech employs the images of speech and walk to explain his point. He says that we
are good when we are fully awake in our speech. Yet we are not evil when our tongue staggers in
our sleep. The poet/prophet says that even a stumbling speech may strengthen a weak tongue.
We are also good when we walk to our goal firmly. Even if we limp we are not evil, because we
are not limphing backward, but forward.
4. What does the poet speak about judging others?
In the poem Good and Evil', through the prophet Almustafa, Khalil Gibran explores the
complexity and mysteriousness of human nature. When requested to speak about good and evil,
the prophet Almustafa replies that he can speak only of good because evil is something non
existent. In the course of the speech, he says that our goodness lies in longing for the realisation
of ourself. In the case of some people, this longing is as intense as a torrent whereas in the case
of some others it may be like a flat stream. But the strong should not look down on the weak and
harbour prejudices against them. For the truly good do not ask the naked where their garment is.
Or the houseless what has happened to their house. Truly good people are always large-hearted.
They do not judge others so that they may not be judged.
5. Why does the poet say that "stags cannot teach swiftness to the turtles"?
 In the poem 'Good and Evil', through the prophet Almustafa". Khalil Gibran explores the
complexity and inscrutability of human nature. When requested to speak about good and evil, the
prophet replies that he can speak about only good because evil is something non-existent. In the
course of his speech, he says that we are good, when we walk firmly to our goal. Those who only
limp are also good because they limp not backward but forward. But leaping before the lame is
not kindness. In this context, the poet points out that it is useless on the part of stag to teach turtle
swiftness. In other words, the performance of every being is unique and it reflects his or her
inherent nature. A staggered is good in his own way and the swift in their own way.
PART C
1. Why does Gibran say, "Of the good in you can speak, but not of the evil"?
Khalil Gibran is a famous Lebanese American poet The sense of loss, rural beauty, serenity
and alienation are the themes he mostly dwells upon. As a philosophical writer, he trascends the
dualism of East and West, and spiritualism and materialism. The Prophet, a collection of twenty
six prose' poems, is considered his greatest work.
Good and Evil' is part of twenty-six prose poems just mentioned. It examines the
complexities, intricacies and inscrutability of human nature. In this piece, Almustafa, the
prophet, is the meeting point of Islam and Christianity, literature and philosophy as well as East
and West. When a city dweller asks him to speak about Good and Evil, he replies that he can
speak about only good because evil is something non-existent. It is only the absence or negation
of good. The poem questions the conventional concept of the dualism of good and evil. In this
context, it is just as well one remembers that the old dualism of God and the Devil is sometimes
replaced by the idea that God contains both good and evil.
In the course of his speech Almustafa explains his philosophy of good and evil. To him, evil
is only good tortured by its own hunger and thirst. While hungry and thirsty it may seek food and
drinks in dark caves or even dead waters. We are good when we are one with ourselves. But we
are not evil when our mind is divided.We are good when we strive to seek gain for ourselves.
Then we are like a root that clings to the earth and sucks at her breast. We are good when we are
fully awake in our speech. We are not evil when our tongue staggers without purpose. Even a
stumbling speech may strengthen a weak tongue.
We are good when we walk firmly to our goal. Even if we only limp along we are not evil
because we moving forward and not backward. We are good in countless ways. The poet
emphasises that we are are not evil when we are not good.
Our goodness lies in longing for self-realisation. The longing may be as strong as a torrent or
less strong as a flat stream. Both are good.
Here is a poem with a profoundly philosophical idea and the prophet does not burden the
reader with incomprehensibility.
2. Write an essay on the images and symbols used in the poem.
 Khalil Gibran is a famous Lebanese American poet. A sense of loss, rural beauty, serenity
and alienation are the themes he mostly dwells upon. As a philosophical writer, he trascends the
dualism of East and West, and spiritualism and materialism. "The Prophet', a collection of
twenty-six prose poems, is considered his greatest work. 'Good and Evil' is part of the collection
The Prophet just mentioned. It examines the complexity and inscrutability of human life and
human nature. In this piece, Almustafa, the prophet, is the meeting point of Islam and
Christianity, literature and philosophy as well as East and West. When a city dweller asks him to
speak about Good and Evil, he replies that he can speak about only good because evil is
something non-existent. It is only the absence or negation of good. The poem questions the
conventional concept of the dualism of good and evil. In this context, it is just as well one
remembers that the old dualism of God and the Devil is sometimes replaced by the idea that God
contains both good and evil.
In the poem, Gibran employs several images and symbols to convey his idea of good and evil.
He says that evil is good tortured by its own hunger and thirst. When good is hungry and thirsty
it seeks food in dark caves and drinks in dead waters. One is good when one is one with oneself.
But if we are not one with ourselves we are not evil, but only a divided so use. It wont sink like a
rudderless boat to the deep. The poet now uses another imagery to convey his point. A person
who seeks gains is not evil. He is only a root that clings to the earth and sucks at her breast. A
fruit does not ask the root to be like it. If the root finds fulfillment in receiving, the fruit finds it
in giving.
Using another metaphor, Gibran says that while we walk firmly to our goal, we are good.
But we are still good even if we limp forward. We are all good in countless ways and we are not
evil when we are not good. Using another vivid imagery, he says in our longing for self-
realisation is our goodness. An intense longing is like a mighty torrent and it is good so that
stream is also good..
The images and symbols Gibran employs in the poem liberally make the poem deeply
striking.

CHAPTER 16
STILL I RISE
PART A
1. Why are the lies bitter and twisted?
The story of the blacks the whites write is sheer mis representation of history. These lies hurt
their self respect.
2. Who is addressed as 'you' in the poem?
The 'You' in the poem refers to the white oppressors of the blacks.
3. How does the poet describe her style of walking?
 The poet walks like she has got oil wells pumping in her living room.
4. What is meant by the expression "I am the dream and the hope of the slave"
As an untiring champion of the rights of the blacks who have been enslaved by the whites,
Angelou confidently feels that she is their hope and dream.
5. How does the poet end the poem?
Confident that she cannot be enslaved for long, the poet proclaims with all the moral force at her
command, "I rise, I rise, I rise."
PART B
1. What is the attitude of the narrator in the poem?
The narrator in the poem is the poet Maya Angelou herself. She is full of courage and self-
confidence. Her oppressors may consider her as being haughty and arrogant. In the poem, she is
in challenging mode from beginning to end. Her fighting spirit and morale never desert her. Her
spirit is invincible. She walks like she has got oil mills pumping is her living room. She says she
will rise like the sun and the moon and tides from her slavish condition. Her very laugh reflects
her self-assurance and mettle. She is conscious of her sexiness. No wonder, she dances like she
has got diamonds at the meeting of her thighs. This expression shows that where men fear to
tread Angelou rushes in. From the beginning of the poem to its end, the poet is seen brimming
with courage, confidence, hope and even arrogance.
2. How are the blacks treated in history according to the poet?
According to the poet, the whites have been trying to write down the blacks with their bitter
and twisted lies. They have always looked down upon them as though the blacks do not belong
to the human species. When the white Europeans came into contact with the blacks in Africa, the
farmer treated the latter as soulless brutes. The poor souls were enslaved and meted out the most
savage treatment. They were rounded up, tied and brought to the market place. They were
auctioned off. Having brought them as slaves, the whites shipped them off to the Americans.
There they were made to sweat away without enough food and drink as well as rest. Thankfully
the situation has now changed substantially and even a black could become the president of the
United States.
3. Write a short note on the title of the poem "Still I Rise".
As one of Angelou's most popular poems, "Still I Rise" is at once a call and a cry to rise above
social prejudices and injustices. Written as a secular hymn to the oppressed and the marginalized,
it is an empowering poem which stimulates the deprived and the downtrodden: The confidence
of the speaker is invincible in her ability to fight back even when she is hurt and oppressed.
Intricately mixing varying tones of fury and faith, arrogant sar1casm and resonant resilience, the
poet spurns in the poem the humiliation and slavery her race has gone through, here is a poem in
which the poet, having risen above the collective inferiority complex of the black race, proudly
and confidently proclaims that whatever may have been in her past, she will rise and rise and rise
from the dust like the sun, the moon, the tides and the wind which moves where it likes. The title
of the poem is an inspiring one indeed.
4. How does the poet assert the resurgence of Afro-Americans in the poem?
The Whites have been discriminating against the blacks for centuries. Having bought them from
distant Africa to the New world, they were subjected to the most savage treatment. As slaves
they were forced to sweat it out day and night in their factories, estates and farms. However, with
the passage of time, the blacks began to assert themselves. Recently an Afro-American has even
adorned the Presidency of the nation. It is this resurgence which is underscored in the poem and
Angelou is a paradigm of this resurgence. She is full of courage, self-confidence and even
arrogance. Her spirit is invincible. She declares that she will rise like dust in the face of the
twisted and bitter lies of her oppressors. She is even proud of her sexiness. No wonder she can
dance as if she has diamonds in her crotch. Here is a black woman who proclaims that she can
rise and rise and rise after having been through a dark and terrifying night.
PART C
1. Write an essay on the ironies used in the poem.
Still I Rise' is an empowering poem about the struggle to overcome prejudice and injustice. It is
one of Maya Angelou's most famous and popular poems. When read by victims of wrongdoing,
the poem becomes a kind of anthem, a beacon of hope for the oppressed and downtrodden.
It is a reminder of the abuses of power by those who sit in government, the judiciary, the
military, and the police force. For members of the public, it sends out a clear, repeated message
of hope. No matter the circumstances, there must always be hope to cling to.
This stirring poem is packed full of figurative language. It functions as a sort of secular hymn to
the oppressed and abused. The message is loud and clear—no matter the cruelty, regardless of
method and circumstance, the victim will rise up, the slave will overcome adversity. Although
written with black slavery and civil rights issues in mind, 'Still I Rise' is universal in its appeal.
Any innocent individual, any minority, or any nation subject to oppression or abuse can
understand its underlying theme—don't give in to torture, bullying, humiliation, and injustice.
This poem includes 43 lines in total, made up of seven quatrains and two end stanzas which help
reinforce the theme of individual hope, with the phrase 'I rise' repeated like a mantra.
The poem is directed towards those oppressors in society who would tie the speaker to her past
and to a history that has been misrepresented and cannot be relied upon. Her ancestors were
depicted unfairly and dishonestly in history, and she will rise above the cruelty and suffering
they experienced. The speaker is both angry and confident throughout the poem. Initially, she is
baffled by the way in which her oppressors—ostensibly, white people and specifically, white
males—do not want her to succeed or become more than the sum of her history. She notes that
her joy seems to make them miserable, and she questions why that is. At the same time, she
taunts these oppressors, acknowledging the impact of her behaviours and personality and
delighting in the fact that she bewilders them with her power and confidence. The poem as a
whole is a declaration of strength and of determination.
The speaker proclaims boldly that whatever her oppressors do to try to hamper her progress or
take away her rights, it will not matter. Nobody will ever take her power away, and she will
always rise above the racism, pain, and sexism to be the powerful woman she knows she is. She
will break the negative cycle of the past.
She also speaks on behalf of other black people without actually stating that this is what she is
doing. By making references to her ancestors and naming slavery explicitly near the poem's
conclusion, she is addressing the collective experiences of her people and stating that they as a
race are more powerful than their oppressors. Whatever the oppressors do, they cannot stop her
people from moving forward in their lives.