Maya+Angelou*

//Alone// *
- Angelou discusses the very basis of human nature in which no one is able to survive completely alone in this world and how each person needs companionship. - If we do not accept help from others and only rely on ourselves, we will self-destruct. - The "millionaire" won't be truly happy unless they have people surrounding them --> money doesn't buy happiness. - Criticizing the rich for "their hearts of stone" and their reliance on money. - The poem is written so that it is easy for the audience the understand the message, which emphasizes how simple and straightforward the message really is. - Angelou incorporates repetition of the verse that clearly states the message to place emphasize on the message.

//Phenomenal Women//
- Women in society feel a certain pressure to look a certain way in order to be defined as "beautiful" - The speaker believes that women should not conform to the social norms, but instead focus on personality traits rather than physical characteristics - The way the speaker sees herself as a "phenomenal woman" is also how other will view her, as long as she believes that of herself.

//Refusal *//
- The speaker is referring to a past lover, or someone she used to know in some other life. - Believes that they will one day meet again in the future. - The speaker doesn't want to die without knowing that there's a possibility that they will meet again, whether in this life or the next. - She seems to be afraid of growing old and losing her youth.

//Still I Rise//
- As a black women living in America during the 1900's, Maya had to face the difficulties of discrimination, segregation and oppression. This poem reveals how she was able to get past that. - She incorporates images of the sun, moon and tides as a representation that rises over and over again. - Even though her entire life she has been subjected to poverty and a certain way of behavior, she is able to move past that. - Not conforming to what is expected of her, but becomes better.