Rhetorical Analysis: Still I Rise by Maya Angelou Essay Example

Rhetorical devices shape this world. They can aid an author in explaining their way of thinking, paint a word picture, relay an important message or lesson to a reader, among many other things. Without them, it would be very difficult to get an idea across to the audience. One may not believe such a statement, since rhetorical devices tend to be overlooked. However, if one looks deeply into a text, one can find a plethora of rhetorical devices. These strategies can be used to send a message or prove an idea. The devices can be used to help a reader think more deeply or differently than they had before. Rhetorical devices have many different uses and can assist an author in demonstrating whatever they desire to show or prove to the reader. In Maya Angelou’s speech “Still I Rise”, she effectively communicates the message of perseverance in the midst of hatred through pathos, rhetorical questions, and parallelism. 

In Maya Angelou’s speech “Still I Rise”, she uses pathos to demonstrate the message of perseverance amidst hatred. The passage states, “You may shoot me with your words, / You may cut me with your eyes, / You may kill me with your hatefulness.” (21-23). This excerpt shows the aggression that the author has experienced in her life, and emphasizes her experiences of people wanting to drag her down. The quote uses pathos to appeal to the audience by using strong, emotive language with negative connotations such as, “shoot”, “cut”, “kill”, and “hatefulness”. The language connects the reader with the author’s experience helping them to empathize with her experiences, giving them a glimpse into her life. The quote also stresses the concept of perseverance because it shows how she has lived through hardship to tell the tale of such hostility that she has experienced. The phrase that stood out in the excerpt above is, “kill me with your hatefulness,” the author wrote very strong words by using pathos to prove how others want her metaphorically dead. Yet, she has lived to tell the story of such pain because of her perseverance. The text clearly states, “You may write me down in history / With your bitter, twisted lies,” (1-2). This section demonstrates the adversity within the author's life and attempts to appeal to the reader through empathy; adversity is expressed through the use of passionate language. The way the author uses the rhetorical device of pathos exemplifies her side of the story. The intense words used, such as, “bitter, twisted lies,” help demonstrate her struggle, but also shows perseverance through animosity because she was determined to disprove the lies told about her. The way that the author shows persistence can connect with the audience by inspiring them to do the same. The passage says, “Out of the huts of history’s shame (...) Up from a past that’s rooted in pain (...) Leaving behind nights of terror and fear,” (29, 31, 35). This section shows her tenacity and continuance through life although she is treated terribly. The quote connects to the audience through vulnerability, in which the author discusses some difficult times in her life and how she moved past them. The author becomes vulnerable when she utilizes dramatic language about personal, painful experiences in order to appeal to the reader. The author uses the device of pathos to reiterate the theme of persistence in the midst of hostility from others.

In Maya Angelou’s speech “Still I Rise”, she uses rhetorical questions to relay the theme of tenacity amidst aggression and anger. The text states, “Does my sassiness upset you? / Why are you beset with gloom?” ( 5-6). The quote shows how the author rebels against what others are trying to do to her. It exemplifies the idea that she isn’t bothered by people who attempt to drag her down. Rhetorical questions accomplish this idea by asking a question that does not expect an answer; the lack of expectation proves that she does not have any concern for others who do not wish for her to do well in life. The portion of the text highlights the idea that others do not want her to succeed, yet she has succeeded. The text enforces an idea of determination because she is not letting others get the best of her. The passage clearly says, “Did you want to see me broken? / Bowed head and lowered eyes? / Shoulders falling down like teardrops, / Weakened by my soulful cries?” ( 13-16). This excerpt asks rhetorical questions where the author is sarcastically asking others what they wish to accomplish. The rhetorical questions show that the author continues to be her genuine self no matter what others try to do to her. The stanzas display her personality and how she refuses to allow these words to penetrate her being. The passage clearly states, “Does my haughtiness offend you?” (17). In this quote, the author is using rhetorical questions, not to seek approval from others but rather to indicate that their opinions are meaningless to her. By using these questions, the author seems to indicate that she will continue to be herself regardless of what others say. Due to these rhetorical questions, the author shows that she is rebelling against those who speak ill of her. All of these rhetorical questions further demonstrate the message of persistence amidst aggression from others.  

Parallelism is used in Maya Angelou’s speech, “Still I Rise” to create a theme of perseverance while enduring aggression and hostility. The text says, “But still, like dust, I’ll rise. (...) Still I’ll rise. (...) But still, like air, I’ll rise,” (4, 12, 24). This quote is using parallelism and repetition of the phrase “But still” and “I’ll rise” to show how she is overcoming the troubles of others making her life difficult. This use of parallelism adds a layer of strength, and determination, because it continues to reappear in the poem. It proves the idea that she will conquer whatever evil comes her way, and she won’t let it take over who she is. Maya Angelou also repeats, “I rise (...) I rise (...) I rise (...) I rise” (30, 32, 36, 38). The quote shows how no matter what, she will “rise”. The way that parallelism is used by repeating “I’ll rise” highlights the author’s strength and proves the fact that she will overcome whatever obstacles she faces. In the passage, it states, “I rise / I rise / I rise,” (41-43). The segment recites the message of the speech, which is the fact that no matter what happens, the author will not let people that want to drag her down succeed in doing so. The phrase “I rise” itself perseveres through the text. Those repeated words exemplify her continuance through oppression. The examples of parallelism within the speech enforce the message of determination amid hostility and aggression. 

In summary, Maya Angelou’s speech “Still I Rise” effectively conveys the message of perseverance in the midst of hatred through the rhetorical devices of pathos, rhetorical questions, and parallelism. The author uses rhetorical devices to help relay her message to the reader. By using these rhetorical devices, the author strengthens her conveyance of the specifics of her inner struggles. Therefore, rhetorical devices assist an author in emphasizing the emotion and passion undergirding the words the author is using. Maya Angelou puts these strategies to use in order to inspire readers and help them learn to persevere through all of life’s difficulties.