Exploring Maya Angelou’s ‘Still I Rise’ | English

Starter quiz

One of Maya Angelou's poems is called 'Phenomenal ______' ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou').
- 'Woman ' ✓
Match each of these terms to their definitions ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou').
- figurative language
  
  ⇔
  
  non-literal words and phrases which help a writer develop meaning ✓
- simile
  
  ⇔
  
  a method of comparison using 'like' or 'as' ✓
- rhetorical question
  
  ⇔
  
  a question asked for dramatic effect rather than requiring an answer ✓
- refrain
  
  ⇔
  
  a repeated line or set of lines in a poem or song ✓
Match these words to their definitions ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou').
- resilient
  
  ⇔
  
  being able to cope, withstand and recover from difficulty ✓
- adversity
  
  ⇔
  
  difficulty, hardship ✓
- tenacious
  
  ⇔
  
  never giving up ✓
- oppress
  
  ⇔
  
  to treat someone, or a group of people, unfairly ✓
Which of these sentences are similes? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')
- Life is a journey.
- She looked like her mother.
- Her heart was as delicate as a rosebud. ✓
- I am phenomenal.
- I tried to blend into the background, chameleon-like. ✓
What is the opposite of figurative language? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')
- metaphorical language
- factual language ✓
- literal language ✓
- personification
- poetic language
'Phenomenal Woman' was first published in a collection of 32 poems (all by Angelou) called …? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')
- 'Equality'
- 'Caged Bird'
- 'And Still I Rise' ✓
- 'Life Doesn't Frighten Me'

Exit quiz

One of Maya Angelou's poems is called '______ I Rise' ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou').
- 'Still' ✓
What is the refrain of Maya Angelou's 'Still I Rise'? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')
- its similes
- its speaker
- its stanzas
- its title ✓
- its rhetorical questions
How was 'Still I Rise' first published? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')
- in 1978, it was Angelou's first poem
- in 1978, by itself
- in 1978, in a collection entitled 'Phenomenal Woman'
- in 1978, in a collection entitled 'And Still I Rise' ✓
- in 1978, in a collection entitled 'Equality'
In 'Still I Rise', what are some of the things the speaker compares herself through use of similes? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou')
- dust ✓
- fire
- the sun ✓
- hope ✓
- a dream ✓
Starting with the first, put what the speaker says in 'Still I Rise' in chronological order? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou').
- 1
  
  ⇔
  
  The speaker will rise, just as dust rises, even when oppressed.
- 2
  
  ⇔
  
  The speaker asks if we're "upset" by her confidence; compares herself to "sun".
- 3
  
  ⇔
  
  The speaker asks why we want to break her spirit.
- 4
  
  ⇔
  
  The speaker feels rich and valuable, even when people try to oppress her.
- 5
  
  ⇔
  
  The speaker makes reference to her body and its beauty.
- 6
  
  ⇔
  
  The speaker references the history of slavery but she will “rise” above it.
Which of these sentences use the word tenacious (or its forms) correctly? ('Single poet study: Maya Angelou').
- I am tenacity because I finished all my homework.
- I completed the race, even though it was long, showing my tenacity. ✓
- Tenacity is a positive attribute – it shows perseverance and strength. ✓
- I can't wait to be given tenacity when I grow up.

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Lesson Details

Key learning points

'Still I Rise' was first published in 1978 in a collection of Angelou's poems entitled 'And Still I Rise'.
The collection 'And Still I Rise' explores ideas about overcoming adversity, particularly racism and sexism.
The poems celebrate the tenacity of the Black community, especially women ('Phenomenal Woman' is also in the collection)
Considering your personal preference to a poem is an important aspect of being a student of English.

Common misconception

Personal opinions about texts are not valid. Only analysis is valid.

Being a student of English can often feel like this. But expressing your opinions about your feelings towards a text - those you read in and outside the classroom - is very important and just as much a part of the subject of English as analysis.

Keywords

Resilient - being able to cope, withstand and recover from difficult physical or mental challenges
Adversity - difficulty, hardship
Tenacious - to never give up
Oppress - to treat someone, or a group of people, unfairly
Figurative language - non-literal words and phrases which develop a writer's meaning