“Still I Rise” by Maya Angelou is a poem that speaks powerfully about strength and resilience in the face of challenges. Published in her 1978 collection And Still I Rise, this poem deals with overcoming challenges related to race, gender, and social position. Angelou uses vivid language and strong rhythm to capture the determination and pride of someone who will rise above hardships, no matter what life throws at them. I chose two stanzas that spoke to me about how, despite difficult situations and people who try to hold you down, you can still rise and succeed.
I developed as a person because of the many people who try to step on you, afraid that you might surpass them. But I will do everything to ensure that I don't let myself be crushed. I will study hard and show them that the person they try to push down won't stay down forever, because like dust, I'll still rise. In the stanza, 'shoot me with your words,' I won't be affected because they haven't proven anything in their own lives. I will do everything I can to prove to them that the person they are trying to destroy with envy won't back down or allow myself to be defeated.
In the first stanza, “You may write me down in history / With your bitter, twisted lies / You may trod me in the very dirt / But still, like dust, I'll rise,” I learned that life is filled with obstacles, especially from people who may not want to see you succeed. They may try to crush you because of your background or because they feel threatened by your growth. Despite this, like dust, I believe we can rise above whatever tries to hold us down. It taught me that life’s challenges can’t be avoided, but I don’t need to be defeated by them.
The second stanza says, “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.” This part has helped me develop a stronger sense of confidence. I realized that there will always be people who try to bring you down with cruel words or harsh looks. Sometimes, people who haven’t achieved much themselves are the ones who criticize the most. I’ve learned not to let their negative words affect me but to focus on what I can do. I am motivated to work hard and prove that I can rise above the people who wish to see me fail.
As a student, a person, and a child, I relate to these lines on a personal level. I have faced judgment and unfair criticism, sometimes from those close to me. When I heard hurtful words or gossip, especially from relatives, it was painful and made me question my worth. However, I have learned to focus on my goals instead of letting their negativity affect me. I realized that if I remain resilient, I can rise above their judgments. Like dust or the wind, I won’t stay down, no matter how hard they may try to pull me back.
“Still I Rise” has taught me that resilience is key to overcoming adversity. Through its powerful words, I have learned that no matter how many people may try to hold me back, I can always rise. This poem has helped me grow in confidence and determination, and I know that my hard work and perseverance will allow me to move forward. This lesson will stay with me as I face life’s challenges and work toward my goals. Like Maya Angelou’s message, I will continue to rise and show others that I won’t allow negativity to keep me down.
