To answer your question at 20:04, here's my thoughts: The positive stanza came first to establish that she WILL always rise, certainly and continually, whether or not her oppressor is there, cares or not, or anything. Then the negative stanza emphasises not only the expectations of the oppressor, but also the way the speaker taunts the oppressor in the rhetorical question: "Did you want to see me broken?" Structurally, having "Still I'll rise." and then "Did you want to see me broken?" emphasises how her rising has nothing to do with the oppression; it's an innate and natural part of her; she is independent of her oppressor, even in her joy: she is joyful because she will always be, it's not a response to the oppression, which holds a liberative quality in and of itself - the oppressor's wants and desires are afterthoughts because she is sure of herself - nobody else's opinions influence her. If it was the other way around, it would seem like her resilience is a response to the oppression, which in itself is controlling and limits her independence, because the oppressor caused a reaction in her, giving the oppressor the ability to provoke her, which is what the oppressor wants to do all along. It's much more powerful in the order that it is in: positive then negative. Also, a small afterthought, her emphasising her sheer joy and then showing what her oppressor wants from her emphasises how cruel it is to want to steal away somebody's happiness, making us as readers dislike the oppressors even more. Edit: It's like how evil people hate it when the people they oppress can still smile in the pain - there's a kind of strength and independence in being oppressed but still being emotionally unaffected, or even getting happier just to get at the oppressor - it makes the oppressor seem not only evil but also ultimately powerless, which is why they hate it so much. Also, thank you so much for all of your videos, and to be honest, I really disliked this poem until I heard your analysis and realised I judged it too soon - you know a person is a good teacher when they make you love what they are teaching. I wish there were more English teachers like you! A truly phenomenal teacher 💯💯
Good day from one teacher to another. Excellent work you do here. On the question why the one positive then negative stanzas, might it not be (Especially this stanza in the form of questions) that she wants to recreate a sort of conversation between herself and the oppressor? That by asking these questions, she actually is in the mind of the oppressor and its like an actual debate between them. Here is what I am. Oh, and here is what I was expecting from you, having cast you into a mold of supposition and stereo typing.
Good afternoon colleague, thank you for adding your thoughts. I think that is a great point, and in keeping with the use of interrogatives, apostrophe and colloquial language to create the conversational tone. I think that the almost hyperbolic imagery of weakened shoulders and being broken etc does suggest that she isn't taking the debate seriously though - as if she is attempting to see their side and instead just finding them utterly ridiculous
Stream English is all about pushing your GCSE English Language and Literature skills to a grade 9. One of the best ways to do that is for me to see your work as I use my experience as a teacher and an examiner to give you specific advice. You can submit essay questions you’ve written on the Stream English website; I will then create a video where I mark your work and talk you through how you can improve. Submit your work here: streamenglish.co.uk/submit STANZA TWO - accidently missed out : This stanza creates a mocking tone through the rhetorical question and the juxtaposition between her high levels of confidence versus the sad reaction of the oppressor. This is a pattern she follows in other stanzas too: sassiness versus upset/beset with gloom; haughtiness versus 'take it awful hard'; sexiness versus upset. She is highlighting the ludicrousness of prejudice - allowing yourself to be so emotionally affected simply by the happiness of someone else. This stanza could perhaps be the first suggestion to her black, female identity via 'sassiness', a racially coded word often assigned to black women in the USA. She could therefore be suggesting at what it is the oppressor has an issue with - both female and racial empowerment. Also adds to the mocking tone because being sassy is literally about being 'disrespectful in a lively, confident way' (definition by Collins Dictionary). Her use of colloquial language adds to the confident tone of the poem - she is owning who she is and will not change her language to suit anyone. The simile of oil wells in the living room has a LOT of potential analysis: 1. natural imagery - her confidence/freedom/self worth is natural 2. connotations of value and wealth - symbolises her high self-worth 3. the living room is a very personal space, perhaps symbolising that this high self-worth is innate to her 4. oil is deep is found deep in the ground - oil wells bring it to the surface. Is she suggesting that her self-worth is innate to her and she simply has the confidence to show it off? 5. this simile is the important beginning of the pattern with the other three similes. I analyse the others in the video, but the key progression is from 'walk' to 'laugh' to 'dance' plus the continued pattern of 'oil wells', 'gold mines' and diamonds'. 6. The present participle (ing word) in 'pumping' suggests that her confidence and self-worth are active and continuing in the present 7. Another important pattern is the shift from similes to metaphors: in the first few stanzas she is 'like' oil wells/diamonds/gold mines but by the penultimate stanza she IS a black ocean. This therefore fits with the shift from future tense 'I'll rise' to present tense 'I rise' - her confidence is going to grow as the poem goes on and this will lead to a growth in power and esteem. The images initially highlighted in this simile are going to be so much more powerful by the end of the poem. The two lines of the simile is also hypophora - answering your own question. She knows exactly what the oppressor takes issue with - her having high self-worth and confidence and the audacity to display that confidence when she is out and about (walking).
Hi! Loved the analysis. I really loved the candid manner in which you talked about it, since that is one of the core ideas of the poem as well- to be simply candid, and true. Your question regarding the use of 'history's shame' was interesting. Got me thinking, maybe 'shame' is an idea promoted by the oppressor who turn into allies. Shame gives them an easy way out- you know, to be on the right side of history. The oppressed class/gender/caste/race/community has the added burden to distinguish the oppressor who is shameful about the history. But the poet here wants the oppressed folks to forego this burden of recognising the history's shame. Because it is doing nothing for them really. Would love to hear your thoughts on it.
I believe the part 'huts of history's shame' is a metaphor literally alluding to the way in which the African were placed on the barracks in hut like cages to be sold off into slavery. Infact it was a historical shame that their fellow Africans can round them up in such a way just to gain financial or economic development. But the encoded meaning speaks to the life of Maya Angelou where she was raped by her step father at the age of six. After which she became mute for 5 years being encompasses in fear and shame. But eventually she rised from the huts of historical shame finding her voice and identity in her literary career
this video is so great ! It comes in so handy cuz I will have my English assessment next week! Thank you so much ! It would be great if there are analysis videos for the "Necklase" as well as "The unknown Girl"! They are all from Edexcel IGCSE English Language Textbook !
I'm not sure if I am too late on this. History's shame makes me think she's speaking particularly to the oppressive audience who hears her words. I think she is reflecting that the writers of history considers huts and tribal beginnings for some slaves as shameful. On one hand, she could be considering that oppressive groups know that slavery is shameful, yet a past they want want ignore. I don't have a concrete thought on it as well. Great video overall!
This is a great, but not complete analysis of the work. This can be interpreted in many different ways, and the artist was clear that she wrote this in a way that part of the beauty of this heavily inspirational poem was in the experience of finding meaning, intentional or personal. Angelou wrote for the lore she wanted in the world. Example: "Did you want to see me broken, bowed head and lowered eyes? Shoulders falling down like teardrops, weakened by my soulful cries?" This could be as in "did you expect me to suffer your oppression and break?" But it could also be: "I bet you didn't expect that oppressors end up making a martyr of someone who dares defy them - which is a recurring part of human history? *wink*" broken, bowed head, shoulders falling down like teardrops, the weight of her body on the nails in her flesh, crying out weakly as she gives up the ghost "Tetelestai!" The Jesus symbolism of this persecution, martyrdom, and of course the "rising" which Christians celebrate in Easter. This symbolism is not exclusive to Christians, but the Bible had powerful influence in the African American experience far beyond religions fervor. In this way, she is taunting her oppressor by making her the spearhead of their downfall. Brilliant woman. So many layers to this poem.
Thank you for spotting this - I cannot believe it but it appears I accidentally cut that bit when editing and didn't notice! So, I'm going to pin this comment and write the analysis of that stanza right here so people can get the notes they're missing: This stanza creates a mocking tone through the rhetorical question and the juxtaposition between her high levels of confidence versus the sad reaction of the oppressor. This is a pattern she follows in other stanzas too: sassiness versus upset/beset with gloom; haughtiness versus 'take it awful hard'; sexiness versus upset. She is highlighting the ludicrousness of prejudice - allowing yourself to be so emotionally affected simply by the happiness of someone else. This stanza could perhaps be the first suggestion to her black, female identity via 'sassiness', a racially coded word often assigned to black women in the USA. She could therefore be suggesting at what it is the oppressor has an issue with - both female and racial empowerment. Also adds to the mocking tone because being sassy is literally about being 'disrespectful in a lively, confident way' (definition by Collins Dictionary). Her use of colloquial language adds to the confident tone of the poem - she is owning who she is and will not change her language to suit anyone. The simile of oil wells in the living room has a LOT of potential analysis: 1. natural imagery - her confidence/freedom/self worth is natural 2. connotations of value and wealth - symbolises her high self-worth 3. the living room is a very personal space, perhaps symbolising that this high self-worth is innate to her 4. oil is deep is found deep in the ground - oil wells bring it to the surface. Is she suggesting that her self-worth is innate to her and she simply has the confidence to show it off? 5. this simile is the important beginning of the pattern with the other three similes. I analyse the others in the video, but the key progression is from 'walk' to 'laugh' to 'dance' plus the continued pattern of 'oil wells', 'gold mines' and diamonds'. 6. The present participle (ing word) in 'pumping' suggests that her confidence and self-worth are active and continuing in the present 7. Another important pattern is the shift from similes to metaphors: in the first few stanzas she is 'like' oil wells/diamonds/gold mines but by the penultimate stanza she IS a black ocean. This therefore fits with the shift from future tense 'I'll rise' to present tense 'I rise' - her confidence is going to grow as the poem goes on and this will lead to a growth in power and esteem. The images initially highlighted in this simile are going to be so much more powerful by the end of the poem. The two lines of the simile is also hypophora - answering your own question. She knows exactly what the oppressor takes issue with - her having high self-worth and confidence and the audacity to display that confidence when she is out and about (walking).
I wish I could add sources, but I don't have any! The best I can say is that the source is my brain, plus the brains of many superb students I have taught over multiple years, and the brains of many superb colleagues who have shared their ideas with me over the years.
Thank you so much! I am currently working a piece of comparative essay for my coursework on this poem and the story of an hour. Have you got any tips for writing a comparative essay?
You're welcome! I do have plans for a video on writing that essay, but that won't be released for a while, so I'll just give you my top two tips: 1. Structure the essay by exploring one way that the two texts are similar and one way that they are different (what exactly you look at will vary depending on your question). This means you would keep going back and forth between talking about the two texts (rather than just talking about one and then just talking about the other one). 2. ANALYSE, ANALYSE, ANALYSE. If you can analyse in detail and consistently, you are going to put yourself nicely in at least the Level 4 of the mark scheme (which is where Grade 7+ starts to happen).
That depends on the form of citation you are expected to use. For example, the MLA style would require the following: "Title of video." CZcams, uploaded by Screen Name, day month year, czcams.com/users/xxxxx A quick google of the citation style you need plus 'how to cite a CZcams video' should give you what you need
To answer your question at 20:04, here's my thoughts:
The positive stanza came first to establish that she WILL always rise, certainly and continually, whether or not her oppressor is there, cares or not, or anything. Then the negative stanza emphasises not only the expectations of the oppressor, but also the way the speaker taunts the oppressor in the rhetorical question: "Did you want to see me broken?" Structurally, having "Still I'll rise." and then "Did you want to see me broken?" emphasises how her rising has nothing to do with the oppression; it's an innate and natural part of her; she is independent of her oppressor, even in her joy: she is joyful because she will always be, it's not a response to the oppression, which holds a liberative quality in and of itself - the oppressor's wants and desires are afterthoughts because she is sure of herself - nobody else's opinions influence her.
If it was the other way around, it would seem like her resilience is a response to the oppression, which in itself is controlling and limits her independence, because the oppressor caused a reaction in her, giving the oppressor the ability to provoke her, which is what the oppressor wants to do all along. It's much more powerful in the order that it is in: positive then negative. Also, a small afterthought, her emphasising her sheer joy and then showing what her oppressor wants from her emphasises how cruel it is to want to steal away somebody's happiness, making us as readers dislike the oppressors even more.
Edit: It's like how evil people hate it when the people they oppress can still smile in the pain - there's a kind of strength and independence in being oppressed but still being emotionally unaffected, or even getting happier just to get at the oppressor - it makes the oppressor seem not only evil but also ultimately powerless, which is why they hate it so much.
Also, thank you so much for all of your videos, and to be honest, I really disliked this poem until I heard your analysis and realised I judged it too soon - you know a person is a good teacher when they make you love what they are teaching. I wish there were more English teachers like you! A truly phenomenal teacher 💯💯
well is a verb
for ex tears welled up
swell is also a verb
therefore welling and swelling are present participles
The analysis was really deep and great. Loved your way of explaining and your viewpoints. Thank you so much.
loved this video so much!! thanks for everything!
Good day from one teacher to another. Excellent work you do here. On the question why the one positive then negative stanzas, might it not be (Especially this stanza in the form of questions) that she wants to recreate a sort of conversation between herself and the oppressor? That by asking these questions, she actually is in the mind of the oppressor and its like an actual debate between them. Here is what I am. Oh, and here is what I was expecting from you, having cast you into a mold of supposition and stereo typing.
Good afternoon colleague, thank you for adding your thoughts. I think that is a great point, and in keeping with the use of interrogatives, apostrophe and colloquial language to create the conversational tone. I think that the almost hyperbolic imagery of weakened shoulders and being broken etc does suggest that she isn't taking the debate seriously though - as if she is attempting to see their side and instead just finding them utterly ridiculous
Stream English is all about pushing your GCSE English Language and Literature skills to a grade 9. One of the best ways to do that is for me to see your work as I use my experience as a teacher and an examiner to give you specific advice. You can submit essay questions you’ve written on the Stream English website; I will then create a video where I mark your work and talk you through how you can improve. Submit your work here: streamenglish.co.uk/submit
STANZA TWO - accidently missed out :
This stanza creates a mocking tone through the rhetorical question and the juxtaposition between her high levels of confidence versus the sad reaction of the oppressor. This is a pattern she follows in other stanzas too: sassiness versus upset/beset with gloom; haughtiness versus 'take it awful hard'; sexiness versus upset. She is highlighting the ludicrousness of prejudice - allowing yourself to be so emotionally affected simply by the happiness of someone else.
This stanza could perhaps be the first suggestion to her black, female identity via 'sassiness', a racially coded word often assigned to black women in the USA. She could therefore be suggesting at what it is the oppressor has an issue with - both female and racial empowerment. Also adds to the mocking tone because being sassy is literally about being 'disrespectful in a lively, confident way' (definition by Collins Dictionary).
Her use of colloquial language adds to the confident tone of the poem - she is owning who she is and will not change her language to suit anyone.
The simile of oil wells in the living room has a LOT of potential analysis: 1. natural imagery - her confidence/freedom/self worth is natural 2. connotations of value and wealth - symbolises her high self-worth 3. the living room is a very personal space, perhaps symbolising that this high self-worth is innate to her 4. oil is deep is found deep in the ground - oil wells bring it to the surface. Is she suggesting that her self-worth is innate to her and she simply has the confidence to show it off? 5. this simile is the important beginning of the pattern with the other three similes. I analyse the others in the video, but the key progression is from 'walk' to 'laugh' to 'dance' plus the continued pattern of 'oil wells', 'gold mines' and diamonds'. 6. The present participle (ing word) in 'pumping' suggests that her confidence and self-worth are active and continuing in the present 7. Another important pattern is the shift from similes to metaphors: in the first few stanzas she is 'like' oil wells/diamonds/gold mines but by the penultimate stanza she IS a black ocean. This therefore fits with the shift from future tense 'I'll rise' to present tense 'I rise' - her confidence is going to grow as the poem goes on and this will lead to a growth in power and esteem. The images initially highlighted in this simile are going to be so much more powerful by the end of the poem.
The two lines of the simile is also hypophora - answering your own question. She knows exactly what the oppressor takes issue with - her having high self-worth and confidence and the audacity to display that confidence when she is out and about (walking).
Thank u so much! It means a lot for my upcoming exam!🤗
Hi! Loved the analysis. I really loved the candid manner in which you talked about it, since that is one of the core ideas of the poem as well- to be simply candid, and true. Your question regarding the use of 'history's shame' was interesting. Got me thinking, maybe 'shame' is an idea promoted by the oppressor who turn into allies. Shame gives them an easy way out- you know, to be on the right side of history. The oppressed class/gender/caste/race/community has the added burden to distinguish the oppressor who is shameful about the history. But the poet here wants the oppressed folks to forego this burden of recognising the history's shame. Because it is doing nothing for them really. Would love to hear your thoughts on it.
9
Using this for my level 2 NCEA exam tomorrow! Thanks so much
I believe the part 'huts of history's shame' is a metaphor literally alluding to the way in which the African were placed on the barracks in hut like cages to be sold off into slavery. Infact it was a historical shame that their fellow Africans can round them up in such a way just to gain financial or economic development. But the encoded meaning speaks to the life of Maya Angelou where she was raped by her step father at the age of six. After which she became mute for 5 years being encompasses in fear and shame. But eventually she rised from the huts of historical shame finding her voice and identity in her literary career
This helped me sooooo much!!! Thank you
this video is so great ! It comes in so handy cuz I will have my English assessment next week! Thank you so much ! It would be great if there are analysis videos for the "Necklase" as well as "The unknown Girl"! They are all from Edexcel IGCSE English Language Textbook !
I'm so glad it helped you. I have definitely got all the Edexcel IGCSE texts on my list to make videos for, don't you worry!
This is an excellent analysis!
Thank you!
Thank you for this analysis it was great!!
You're welcome!
For a second I thought she is an Indian English teacher 🎉😂❤
using your video to study for my finals :) thank you!
You are so welcome and I hope you absolutely smash your finals!
Thank you so much ☺️
I'm not sure if I am too late on this. History's shame makes me think she's speaking particularly to the oppressive audience who hears her words. I think she is reflecting that the writers of history considers huts and tribal beginnings for some slaves as shameful. On one hand, she could be considering that oppressive groups know that slavery is shameful, yet a past they want want ignore. I don't have a concrete thought on it as well. Great video overall!
Thank u soo much u helped me alot😁👍🏼
No problem!
As a Christian, I can confirm that the verse you mentioned at 7:32 comes from Genesis 2:7
This is a great, but not complete analysis of the work. This can be interpreted in many different ways, and the artist was clear that she wrote this in a way that part of the beauty of this heavily inspirational poem was in the experience of finding meaning, intentional or personal. Angelou wrote for the lore she wanted in the world. Example: "Did you want to see me broken, bowed head and lowered eyes? Shoulders falling down like teardrops, weakened by my soulful cries?" This could be as in "did you expect me to suffer your oppression and break?" But it could also be: "I bet you didn't expect that oppressors end up making a martyr of someone who dares defy them - which is a recurring part of human history? *wink*" broken, bowed head, shoulders falling down like teardrops, the weight of her body on the nails in her flesh, crying out weakly as she gives up the ghost "Tetelestai!" The Jesus symbolism of this persecution, martyrdom, and of course the "rising" which Christians celebrate in Easter. This symbolism is not exclusive to Christians, but the Bible had powerful influence in the African American experience far beyond religions fervor. In this way, she is taunting her oppressor by making her the spearhead of their downfall. Brilliant woman. So many layers to this poem.
This helped me out so much thank you!! But you missed out stanza 2 (does my sassiness upset you) idk if you’re aware
Thank you for spotting this - I cannot believe it but it appears I accidentally cut that bit when editing and didn't notice! So, I'm going to pin this comment and write the analysis of that stanza right here so people can get the notes they're missing:
This stanza creates a mocking tone through the rhetorical question and the juxtaposition between her high levels of confidence versus the sad reaction of the oppressor. This is a pattern she follows in other stanzas too: sassiness versus upset/beset with gloom; haughtiness versus 'take it awful hard'; sexiness versus upset. She is highlighting the ludicrousness of prejudice - allowing yourself to be so emotionally affected simply by the happiness of someone else.
This stanza could perhaps be the first suggestion to her black, female identity via 'sassiness', a racially coded word often assigned to black women in the USA. She could therefore be suggesting at what it is the oppressor has an issue with - both female and racial empowerment. Also adds to the mocking tone because being sassy is literally about being 'disrespectful in a lively, confident way' (definition by Collins Dictionary).
Her use of colloquial language adds to the confident tone of the poem - she is owning who she is and will not change her language to suit anyone.
The simile of oil wells in the living room has a LOT of potential analysis: 1. natural imagery - her confidence/freedom/self worth is natural 2. connotations of value and wealth - symbolises her high self-worth 3. the living room is a very personal space, perhaps symbolising that this high self-worth is innate to her 4. oil is deep is found deep in the ground - oil wells bring it to the surface. Is she suggesting that her self-worth is innate to her and she simply has the confidence to show it off? 5. this simile is the important beginning of the pattern with the other three similes. I analyse the others in the video, but the key progression is from 'walk' to 'laugh' to 'dance' plus the continued pattern of 'oil wells', 'gold mines' and diamonds'. 6. The present participle (ing word) in 'pumping' suggests that her confidence and self-worth are active and continuing in the present 7. Another important pattern is the shift from similes to metaphors: in the first few stanzas she is 'like' oil wells/diamonds/gold mines but by the penultimate stanza she IS a black ocean. This therefore fits with the shift from future tense 'I'll rise' to present tense 'I rise' - her confidence is going to grow as the poem goes on and this will lead to a growth in power and esteem. The images initially highlighted in this simile are going to be so much more powerful by the end of the poem.
The two lines of the simile is also hypophora - answering your own question. She knows exactly what the oppressor takes issue with - her having high self-worth and confidence and the audacity to display that confidence when she is out and about (walking).
@@StreamEnglish ty :)
Hey, im a new viewer....i cant seem to see the analysis of the 2nd stanza.......and btw i love ur videos already😘
I accidentally deleted the footage! Read the pinned comment for the analysis
Oh oke thanks!
Hey, it would be cool if you‘d add your sources which you used for your inspiration/analysis. Thanks in advance!
I wish I could add sources, but I don't have any! The best I can say is that the source is my brain, plus the brains of many superb students I have taught over multiple years, and the brains of many superb colleagues who have shared their ideas with me over the years.
Thank you so much! I am currently working a piece of comparative essay for my coursework on this poem and the story of an hour. Have you got any tips for writing a comparative essay?
You're welcome!
I do have plans for a video on writing that essay, but that won't be released for a while, so I'll just give you my top two tips:
1. Structure the essay by exploring one way that the two texts are similar and one way that they are different (what exactly you look at will vary depending on your question). This means you would keep going back and forth between talking about the two texts (rather than just talking about one and then just talking about the other one).
2. ANALYSE, ANALYSE, ANALYSE. If you can analyse in detail and consistently, you are going to put yourself nicely in at least the Level 4 of the mark scheme (which is where Grade 7+ starts to happen).
@@StreamEnglish thank you so much
hi I have the same exact coursework do you have any tips?
how do I use this as a citation?
That depends on the form of citation you are expected to use. For example, the MLA style would require the following: "Title of video." CZcams, uploaded by Screen Name, day month year, czcams.com/users/xxxxx
A quick google of the citation style you need plus 'how to cite a CZcams video' should give you what you need
Paste the link to my bib