This stanza presents the reverse picture. This stanza further contributes to the meaning of the poem about her resolution to rise up. She means that she is habitual in showing pride in her race and color and that the listeners or interlocutors should not mind this direction of her behavior. Then she explains that she is habitual of showing as if she is a very rich lady and that she has gold mines and that too in her backyard. This stanza presents one rhetorical question in which the poet asks her interlocuter whether her pride in her achievements offends him/her. Interestingly, this stanza contributes to the main idea of resolution and determination by presenting a confident lady. This also shows the confidence of the lady in question. Do they want to see her submit to their will or a weak soul crying before them? This question wrings in her ears and comes on her lips, knowing full well the consequences. She asks them whether they want to see her as a broken lady. Presenting a number of rhetorical questions, this stanza shows African American woman, or the poet herself, in a highly defiant tone, looking squarely at the interlocuter to point out his/her machinations. The stanza contributes to the main idea in that it presents a hopeful African American woman determined to achieve something in life. The poet is confident of good days coming ahead. She states with certainty all these things will rise up and that the tide has turned as she is destined to rise. It is a divine work like that of the moon, the sun, and the hope that does not subside in her. Using two beautiful similes, Maya Angelou states that she is going to rise up, and it is her fate. This stanza contributes to the overall meaning of the poem by showing that an African American woman is not afraid of demonstrating her confidence. She states in metaphorical terms that it seems that oil wells are pumping in her living room. However, she, despite her seeming poverty and penury, is walking in a graceful manner as if she owns a petro-dollar industry. She asks him whether he has realized her teasing and why he is feeling sad. The poet asks her interlocutor two rhetorical questions and then responds to them. This stanza contributes to the main idea of racial discrimination by the use of “still” which points to the defiance of the poet. She means that she will rise up despite the fact that she has been crushed throughout history and that her role has been diminished. She states that the historiographer may not appreciate her role in the history books and hide it through twisted lies and bitter truth or he may call her dirt. This is the first quatrain or four-lined stanza of the poem that presents the defiance of the poet. I am the dream and the hope of the slave. Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
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