Poem Power: Summary and Message
What is the main message of "I, Too" by Langston Hughes?
"I, Too" speaks to the resilience and dignity of African Americans and asserts their rightful place in American identity.
“I am the darker brother.” – Which poem?
Langston Hughes in "I, Too".
Identify one simile in "Still I Rise".
“But still, like dust, I’ll rise” – compares her resilience to dust rising.
What is the overall tone of "Still I Rise"?
Empowered, confident, defiant, and proud.
Who was Langston Hughes and what movement was he part of?
Langston Hughes was a leading figure of the Harlem Renaissance, focusing on Black identity and culture.
What is the speaker in "Still I Rise" responding to throughout the poem?
The speaker in "Still I Rise" responds to racism, oppression, and attempts to silence or demean her, with defiance and pride.
“But still, like dust, I'll rise.” – Which poet says this and what does it suggest?
Maya Angelou; it suggests no matter how others try to suppress her, she will rise again with confidence.
What metaphor does Hughes use to describe future inclusion in "I, Too"?
“Tomorrow, I’ll be at the table” – a metaphor for inclusion and equality.
How does the tone shift in "I, Too" from beginning to end?
It shifts from a calm, quiet acceptance of inequality to a bold declaration of future inclusion and equality.
What historical background influenced Maya Angelou’s writing of "Still I Rise"?
Angelou wrote in the context of the Civil Rights Movement and her experiences with racism, sexism, and personal trauma.
In "I, Too", what does the “kitchen” metaphor represent?
The “kitchen” symbolizes segregation and exclusion, representing how Black people have been pushed aside in society.
“They send me to eat in the kitchen / When company comes.” – What does this line reveal?
It reveals the reality of racial segregation and being treated as less-than in American society.
In "Still I Rise", what does Angelou compare herself to in the lines about oil wells or moons?
She compares herself to natural elements like the moon and ocean tides to show her unstoppable nature
What theme do both poems share about overcoming oppression?
Both poems highlight the ability to overcome racial and societal oppression through strength and hope.
How do the poems respond to racism and discrimination in American history?
Both poems challenge racism and assert Black voices and humanity through hope, pride, and resistance.
How does "Still I Rise" show personal and cultural empowerment?
"Still I Rise" uses confident, assertive language and metaphors to show strength in the face of adversity, especially as a Black woman.
“Does my sassiness upset you?” – What does this rhetorical question imply?
It implies that the speaker’s confidence or pride is seen as threatening or offensive to those in power.
Explain the use of repetition in either poem and its effect.
Both poems use repetition (“I, too,” and “I rise”) to emphasize strength and determination.
How do both speakers express dignity and self-worth?
Through declarations of rising, singing, and being seen, both speakers express unwavering self-worth.
Why might Hughes have chosen the phrase “I, too, sing America”?
He is responding to Walt Whitman’s “I Hear America Singing,” asserting that Black people are part of the American identity.
Compare how both poems use resilience to make a statement about identity.
Both poems show resilience—Hughes envisions future inclusion and respect, while Angelou reclaims pride and power despite oppression.
“Tomorrow, / I’ll be at the table” – How does this image express hope and equality?
It expresses hope for future equality and belonging—the speaker believes they will no longer be excluded.
Choose a powerful image from either poem and explain how it enhances the message.
In "Still I Rise", the image of “oil wells pumping in my living room” symbolizes wealth, power, and confidence, defying expectations.
How is the theme of invisibility vs. visibility expressed differently in each poem?
Hughes shows invisibility through being “sent to the kitchen” but foresees being seen; Angelou confronts visibility with pride and forces acknowledgment.
How does each poem connect to African American pride and the Civil Rights Movement?
Both poems affirm pride in Black heritage and resilience, echoing the spirit of the Civil Rights and Black Power movements.