Point of View

"Still I Rise” is written from the first-person point of view of a Black woman, as noted by the use of “I” throughout the poem. The poem follows the narrator as she confronst an unnamed antagonist, indicated by “you.” The narrator questions the reasons behind why her antagonist despises her while revealing the unjust actions her antagonist has taken. Some of these deeds included misrepresenting who the speaker was and physical acts of violence aimed at the speaker. The poem leaves no room for the antagonist to respond, underscoring the strength of the speaker's own voice and arguments. Through a series of ironic rhetorical questions, the speaker calls attention to how her opponent has tried to oppress her.

The speaker remains confident in her ability to overcome the things that she has been through and the things that may come to her in the future...