ENGLISH IO

Global issue: Struggle against racial injustice and the pursuit of equality.
Main Literary Text: “Still I Rise” by Maya Angelou

Additional literary text:-

1. “Caged Bird”- This poem uses the metaphor of a bird struggling to escape
its cage as a poignant commentary on the fight for freedom and the constraints of
racial discrimination. It's a powerful allegory for the African American experience.
2. “On the Pulse of Morning”- Delivered at President Bill Clinton's
inauguration, this poem calls for unity, understanding, and healing across racial
and cultural divides, reflecting Angelou’s lifelong advocacy for civil rights and
justice.
Caged Bird
A free bird leaps
on the back of the wind
and floats downstream
till the current ends
and dips his wing
in the orange sun rays
and dares to claim the sky.

But a bird that stalks

down his narrow cage
can seldom see through
his bars of rage
his wings are clipped and
his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings

with a fearful trill
of things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom.

The free bird thinks of another breeze

and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees
and the fat worms waiting on a dawn bright lawn
and he names the sky his own.

But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams

his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream
his wings are clipped and his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings

with a fearful trill
of things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
signs of freedom.
On the pulse of morning
A Rock, A River, A Tree
Hosts to species long since departed,
Marked the mastodon,
The dinosaur, who left dried tokens
Of their sojourn here
On our planet floor,
Any broad alarm of their hastening doom
Is lost in the gloom of dust and ages.

But today, the Rock cries out to us, clearly, forcefully,

Come, you may stand upon my
Back and face your distant destiny,
But seek no haven in my shadow,
I will give you no hiding place down here.

You, created only a little lower than

The angels, have crouched too long in
The bruising darkness
Have lain too long
Facedown in ignorance,
Your mouths spilling words
Armed for slaughter.

The Rock cries out to us today,

You may stand upon me,
But do not hide your face.
Main Non-Literary Work: “American
Gothic, Washington, D.C.” featuring Ella
WatsoN (Gordon Parks):-

1. Segregated Water Fountain:- A haunting image capturing the stark reality of racial
segregation in the American South. The photograph shows a colored water fountain in
the mid-20th century, highlighting the everyday realities of institutionalized racism.

2. Harlem Gang Leader:- Parks photo essay on Leonard “Red” Jackson, a gang leader
in Harlem, offers a nuanced view of life in the
neighborhood, challenging stereotypes and providing
insight into the socio-economic conditions contributing to
crime and violence in African American communities.
POINTERS
Introduction (1 minute)
1. Hook: "Consider this: in a world where our differences should be our strength, why does
the shadow of racial injustice still loom large?"
2. Global Issue Overview: "Racial injustice and the pursuit of equality remain pivotal
challenges worldwide, affecting millions and impeding true societal progress."
3. Thesis Statement: "By examining the powerful verse of Maya Angelou in ‘Still I Rise’
alongside Gordon Parks' evocative photography in ‘American Gothic, Washington D.C.,’
we can uncover the layered and enduring struggle against racial injustice and the
ongoing fight for equality."
4. Text Introduction: "‘Still I Rise’ emerges as a beacon of resilience against racial
oppression, while ‘American Gothic, Washington D.C.’ offers a stark visual critique of
racial segregation, each illuminating facets of our central global issue.

Main Literary Analysis: “Still I Rise” by Maya Angelou (2 minutes)

1. Context: "Maya Angelou, both a civil rights activist and a revered author, uses her
literary prowess to voice the deep-seated struggles and triumphs within the African
American community."
2. Line 1-2 Analysis: "When Angelou proclaims, 'You may write me down in history / With
your bitter, twisted lies,' she directly challenges the distortion of Black histories and
identities, asserting the resilience of the African American spirit."
● Technique & GI Connection: "This metaphor not only rebukes historical
inaccuracies but also aligns with the global issue by advocating for truth and
dignity in the narrative of racial equality."
3. Line 4 Analysis: "'But still, like dust, I'll rise' serves as a powerful simile, comparing the
speaker's resilience to dust rising, symbolizing an indomitable spirit in the face of
adversity."
● Technique & GI Connection: "Such imagery embodies the core of the struggle
against racial injustice, emphasizing the unstoppable pursuit of equality."
4. Line 23-24 Analysis: "The metaphor in 'You may shoot me with your words...'
encapsulates the pain inflicted by racial discrimination, yet underscores an unwavering
strength to overcome."
● Technique & GI Connection: "Angelou's use of metaphor here vividly portrays
the impact of racism while celebrating the resilience it breeds in the quest for
justice."
5. Line 41 Analysis: "Declaring 'I am the dream and the hope of the slave' ties the poem's
themes directly to the historical and ongoing fight for freedom and equality."
 ● Technique & GI Connection: "This line uses metaphor and allusion to bridge
past struggles with present resilience, highlighting a continuum in the fight for
racial equality."

Additional Literary Texts Analysis (2 minutes)

1. “Caged Bird”: "The metaphor of the caged bird, longing for freedom while trapped,
parallels the experiences of racial discrimination, underscoring a universal yearning for
liberty and justice."
● GI Connection: "This poignant symbol directly ties to our global issue by
reflecting the constraints placed on individuals due to racial injustice, and their
undying hope for a better future."
2. “On the Pulse of Morning”: "Angelou’s call for unity and understanding in ‘On the
Pulse of Morning’ resonates as a beacon of hope, urging all of humanity to stand
together against the divides of racial discrimination."
● GI Connection: "The poem’s plea for collective action aligns with the global
challenge of overcoming racial prejudice, emphasizing the need for solidarity in
the fight for equality."

Main Non-Literary Analysis: “American Gothic, Washington D.C.” by

Gordon Parks (2 minutes)
1. Photograph Description: "Gordon Parks' ‘American Gothic, Washington D.C.’ captures
Ella Watson standing before an American flag, a broom in one hand and a mop in the
other, embodying the stark contrast between American ideals and the reality of racial
segregation."
2. Visual Analysis: "The deliberate composition and contrast in Parks’ photograph critique
the myth of the American Dream, juxtaposing national symbols with the personal reality
of African Americans."
● Technique & GI Connection: "Through visual symbolism, Parks challenges
viewers to confront the systemic nature of racial injustice, mirroring the struggles
articulated in Angelou’s poetry."
3. Cultural Context: "Historical context is crucial, as Parks’ work during the mid-20th
century highlights the pervasive racial segregation and discrimination in America,
offering insight into the social climate."
■ GI Connection: "The photograph’s critique of racial segregation and the
illusion of equality directly engages with our global issue, providing a
visual narrative that complements the textual themes explored in
Angelou’s work."

Additional Non-Literary Texts Analysis (2 minutes)

1. Segregated Water Fountain: "The image of a 'Colored' water fountain visually
encapsulates the era of legalized segregation, serving as a stark reminder of the
institutionalized racial barriers that have existed in the United States."
 ■ GI Connection: "This photograph directly confronts the viewer with the
realities of racial injustice, highlighting the systemic nature of
discrimination and the ongoing struggle for equality."
2. Harlem Gang Leader: "Parks' portrayal of Leonard ‘Red’ Jackson provides a nuanced
view into the life of a Harlem gang leader, challenging stereotypes and drawing attention
to the socio-economic conditions driving crime and violence."
■ GI Connection: "By humanizing Jackson, Parks’ work sheds light on the
broader systemic issues of racial and economic inequality, aligning with
the global issue by promoting a deeper understanding of its complexities."

Conclusion (1 minute)
1. Synthesis: "In closing, Maya Angelou’s poetic defiance and Gordon Parks’ visual
activism collectively offer profound insights into the racial injustices that permeate
society, urging a reflection on our shared humanity and the universal quest for equality."
2. Reflection: "Their work underscores the transformative power of art and literature in
challenging societal norms and inspiring change, highlighting the critical role each of us
plays in addressing global issues."
3. Call to Action: "Let us, therefore, carry forward the legacy of Angelou and Parks by
actively participating in dialogues on racial injustice, educating ourselves and others, and
striving towards a more equitable world."
4. Closing Statement: "As we part, remember Maya Angelou’s words: 'Just like moons
and like suns, With the certainty of tides, Just like hopes springing high, Still I'll rise.' Let
this be our mantra as we continue the fight for racial equality and justice for all."