Sophomore Level 1 (1021) Remote Learning Assignment – Week of May 11, 2020
Comparative Analysis: Song and Poem
Did you know that the lyrics to SONGS are actually POEMS? Yes, poems. Last week, you all did a
GREAT job understanding the THEME (main idea) of Maya Angelou’s poem, “Still I Rise.”
Angelou’s THEME, in Fred’s words, is that “perseverance and resilience are vital in the face of
oppression,” or, as Jade put it, “to flourish and be successful through hardships and have hope
for the good to outweigh the bad, and through that, ‘rise’.”
This week, I would like you to choose one of YOUR FAVORITE SONGS, one that has a SIMILAR
THEME to Angelou’s poem. You can choose a song from ANY genre (not instrumental – must
have lyrics). If your song choice has questionable content/language, please use a CLEAN version
for the assignment.
- You will answer some questions about your song choice, and you will also write a
comparative analysis of the song and the poem “Still I Rise” (which is the last question).
- Use the “Poetry Terms to Know” handout on Schoology (Essential Handouts Folder) if you
need a reminder about a specific literary term. (e.g. Stanza)
- Make sure your answers are thoughtful, cited properly, and polished for correct grammar.
- Example of citing the poem: The speaker of the poem says, “Leaving behind nights of
terror and fear / I rise” (Angelou 31-32). IMPORTANT NOTE! If you do not cite the song
and poem properly in this assignment, I will be asking you to work on it again before I
give you credit for the assignment.
I’ve included the poem again here for you.
Still I Rise
By Maya Angelou, 1928 - 2014
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.
5 Does my sassiness upset you?
Why are you beset with gloom?
‘Cause I walk like I’ve got oil wells
Pumping in my living room.
Just like moons and like suns,
10 With the certainty of tides,
