A Comparison of ‘Still I Rise’ by Maya Angelou and ‘No...

Maya Angelou is a internationally respected, brilliant poet, and author. Maya Angelou says In all my work I try to tell the human truth, what it is like to be human, what makes us stumble and somehow miraculously rise and go on from the darkness and into the light†. This theme is consistently exemplified throughout Angelous greatly acclaimed poem ‘Still I rise’. The poem shows us the true life story of Maya Angelous tragedies, and their dreadful conditions she had encountered in her youth. But in Angelous poem, she escapes the night to go into the light, leaving all the hurt and shame to prosper in a new life she has created. Benjamin Zephaniah is a Jamaican author and poet. Who was born in Birmingham England, He grew up in east†¦show more content†¦She does this by symbolism, words such as ‘oil wells’, ‘goldmines’, and ‘diamonds’ represent her physical wealth, they are similes as Maya does not actually have them in her possession but the poem shows that she behaves as if she does. It symbolises her self-worth. Benjamin Zephaniah describes his experiences; the author tells us that he is a victim of race and prejudice. Within the poem Benjamin tells us that everyone is equal no matter what race. The poet uses phonetic spellings and non-standard English to describe to us his experiences in the first paragraph of the poem; however the poet switches to Standard English in the second paragraph of the poem indicating that he is educated and has a good understanding of English as anyone else. The poet uses repetition of words ‘I am not de problem’ the refore suggesting that far from being the problem he is the victim of the problem. Language, imagery, ideas and themes Maya Angelou’s poem is all about the theme of identity and prejudice. Some of the techniques Angelou uses are repetition of words, the words ‘I rise, I rise, I rise’ these words emphasise the strength and resolve of Angelou. The resilience of her personality is shown by repeating ‘I rise’ in contrast to the aggression of her opposition, Angelou is clearly emphasising that she will not be oppressed or dominated. Within the poem are the use of metaphors ‘Im a black ocean, leaping and wide’ this suggest that she is a black lady and that she