Answer: The phrase "I rise" or "I'll rise" is a powerful refrain throughout Maya Angelou's poem, "Still I Rise". The speaker uses this phrase to convey a message of resilience and determination in the face of adversity. The repetition of this phrase emphasizes the speaker's confidence and refusal to be defeated by her circumstances.
In the first stanza, the speaker declares, "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." Here, the speaker is asserting her strength and resilience, using the phrase "I'll rise" to declare that she cannot be kept down.
Throughout the poem, the speaker uses vivid figurative language to illustrate her point. For example, she compares herself to the moon and the sun, saying, "Just like moons and like suns/With the certainty of tides/Just like hopes springing high/Still I'll rise." This comparison emphasizes the speaker's endurance and her ability to overcome challenges.
Overall, the speaker's use of the phrase "I rise" or "I'll rise" in "Still I Rise" serves to reinforce her message of resilience and strength. By repeating this phrase throughout the poem, the speaker emphasizes her determination to rise above any obstacle, no matter how difficult.
Step-by-step explanation: