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Still I Rise
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
Phenomenal Woman
Angelou's Life
Random
100
What was one of her main messages in her poem, give an example or two?
The challenges of an African American Woman- "You may kill me with your hatefulness, but still, like air, I'll rise." This means that people are against her with her race. "Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave, I am the dream and the hope of the slave. I rise I rise I rise." She is talking about how her ancestors and how they went through slavery and everything. But she shows that she still rises.
100
What is the metaphor for "The Caged Bird?"
The disadvantages of being African American, and all the hardships that come with it. Also it characterizes the lack of freedom they had, being enclosed.
100
Do you think that this poem is more lyrical or narrative? Why?
It seems that this poem is more of a lyrical poem because it is expressing her thoughts and emotions of what is going on in her life and it is not be telling a story.
100
What state was Angelou born in?
Angelou was born in Missouri.
100
Why does Angelou refer to her ancestors towards the end of "Still I Rise?"
She says that she will rise above the pain and suffering that her ancestors have experienced in order to fulfill their dreams of being granted the opportunity for success in a world where she is free. She also wants to emphasize the fact that she is not faltering from the pain and suffrage she and her ancestors have experienced, but she will continue to rise.
200
What literary devices does she use to pull across her message?
She uses a mass of rhetorical questions like "Does my sassiness upset you?" "Why are beset with gloom?" There are also many similes "Just like moons and like suns, with the certainty of tides, just like hopes springing high, still I'll rise."
200
In the third stanza, what do you think Angelou is trying to portray? Think of what you know about her past and her hardships.
Angelou's hardships had started to come across the rest of her own race, creating awareness of equality and freedom. She seems to be "sing[ing] for freedom."
200
What do you think this poem represents as a whole?
This poem seems to represent how woman use to get taken advantage of and she is showing how far they have come in society. It also shows that you do not have to be a "model" to be a phenomenal woman.
200
Why did Angelou fall silent for five years?
Angelou was molested by her mothers boyfriend, due to shame of this incident.
200
What do you think "breeze" represents in stanza four in "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings?"
Breeze represents hope and opportunity.
300
With her confident, sassy, and American woman tone, what do you think the line "'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells pumping in my living room?" means?
It's showing that she is walking with confidence because she feels rich like oil. Oil is expensive making her feel superior to others.
300
Why do you think that Angelou repeats the third and sixth stanza?
Angelou does this to emphasize how she feels about expanding equality and freedom within her race.
300
What do you think is the meaning behind "Phenomenal Woman?"
The term and title choice is used to convey a positive image of a strong, and independent woman.
300
Name one inspiration which influences Angelou's writing?
Possible answers: -Racism in the deep south -Molestation by family member -Traveling abroad -Equal right activist
300
Do you think that pride is a big part of "Phenomenal Woman?" Why?
Pride is a big part of the poem as shown in her lines, "The span of my hips, the stride of my step, the curl of my lips. I'm a woman phenomenally." This shows that she is proud of who she is and does not care about her race.
400
Why do you think that she uses repetition of "Still I Rise" throughout her poem? What is she trying to convey?
So then we can understand that she has always overcome her bad situations in life as an African American woman. She is trying to convey the reader to believe that they can do the same.
400
In stanza five, why do you think that Angelou uses the phrase "grave of dreams?"
Angelou uses this to portray how she felt all her life and show that she was never able to pursue her dreams just like the caged bird.
400
What kind of literary devices does Angelou use throughout her poem?
Repetition and Imagery. "I'm a woman. Phenomenally" "The sun of my smile, the ride of my breasts, the grace of my style..."
400
In which African country did Angelou travel and teach drama and music?
Angelou traveled to Ghana.
400
For which film did Angelou write a screenplay?
Georgia, Georgia.
500
Why do you think that Angelou asks the rhetorical questions? What does it make you think of?
Maya also asks questions throughout the poem, which give the readers the opportunity to review their lives, contemplate their beliefs, and review the questions being asked of them.
500
What do the lines "...his wings are clipped and his feet are tied so he opens his throat to sing" mean?
It means that even though she was bound down physically because of her skin color, she was able to still use her voice and speak about equality and freedom.
500
Do you feel like Angelou's pride has overwhelmed her meaning as a whole in the poem?
To us it felt that her pride was overwhelming and to confident in herself because it makes it sound like she's better than everyone and that no one else can have as much pride as herself. "Now you understand just why my head's not bowed. I don't shout or jump about or have to talk real loud."
500
Name three foreign languages that Angelou mastered.
Possible answers: -Spanish -French -Italian -Arabic -West African language: Fanti
500
Who helped Angelou in her writing "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sing?"
James Baldwin