Comparative analysis of Still I Rise and When I Think of Death

 

Marguerite Annie Johnson Angelou, commonly known as Maya Angelou, was an American author, actress, screenwriter, dancer, poet, and civil rights activist. She is known for her books, “Still I Rise” which is one of the most widely read books in the United States, and also “When I Think of Death”.

Her literary works inspire female writers and African-American writers around the world. Angelou was one of the most popular and influential woman of her time.

"Still I Rise" is a poem about hope, encouragement, self-respect, and confidence. In the poem, Angelou reveals how she deals with all the people’s twisted lies, brokenness, sadness, hatefulness towards her. She will rise up even if people keep on trying to pull her down. She will face every suffering with confidence and hope. 

Seems like no one can break her dignity and determination to overcome all the circumstances that she is facing. She is fearless and she got it from her ancestors and as an exchange, she will not allow anybody to completely ruin her for she is the hope of slavery. So, she will rise.  She has the spirit of black women, despite racism and disappointments. She expresses her belief that her black people will overcome all the hardships.

While in the poem “When I think of death”, Angelou felt afraid thinking the moment that something or someone is no longer alive and that everything won’t last. 

She believes that she can accept her death rather than the death of others. She couldn’t dare to imagine if her relatives and friends will be gone. 

If so, she would keep on refusing to accept that something is true or real and getting mad often. But they would live in her heart, mind, and memories.

Critical Analysis of "The Wedding Dance" by Amador Daguio

"The Wedding Dance" by Amador Daguio is a short story about a husband and wife, Awiyao and Lumnay, who had been married for seven years. However, they were not blessed with a child which is a must in their tribe’s custom. A man should have a child with his wife, if they don’t then a man can remarry again to another woman who can possibly give him a child. In spite of their love for each other, they couldn’t change their fate under their tribe. 

Awiyao marries again to Madulimay in order to have a son. At his second marriage celebration, Awiyao goes to check and invite Lumnay to join the other women to the wedding dance. 

Lumnay was in fact at his wedding, but her purpose was to confront the tribe about their tribe’s tradition of having to marry another partner just to have a child isn’t right at all. However, she loses courage and just left.

Awiyao and Lumnay most likely to belong to the Igorot people who inhabit the mountain areas of Luzon. The Igorot people maintained many of their traditional cultural practices through the late 19th century. Even today, dance and gangsa music form an important part of their celebrations. In “The Wedding Dance”, Amador Daguio depicted the culture of his ancestors, he was actually born in the Ilocos province of the Philippines, to explore Filipino traditions along with the universal themes of love, suffering, and societal expectations, which adds desire to the readers, especially to the Filipino, to read the story since it establish a pure Filipino element.

The mood of the story is actually sad and intense especially to the part wherein both characters express their feelings to each other, which made the readers think that Awiyao might change his decision. The point of view used in this short story is the Omniscient Limited - the author tells the story in the third person and readers only know what the character knows and what the author wanted to tell. There is extensive use of the literary device Symbolism such as the darkness, the house’s four walls, the smoldering embers, and the beads. The darkness symbolizes how the two lead characters feel and the mood of the story. It was presented in the introductory phase which gives a hint that the story expressed gloom. Meanwhile, the house’s walls symbolize the former couple’s imprisonment, knowing that they couldn’t escape from their tradition. It’s already part of them. The smoldering embers that become glowing coals mean that they still have feelings toward each other. And lastly, the beads symbolize their great love for each other, that they were tied in a moment of time.

The theme “True love is boundless” is applicable in this story. Love has no boundaries- even in law or in the minds of the people. If love truly existed to both hearts then it will stay there forever. No one could take that away from them even if they are away from each other. 

Love has no boundaries- it’s immeasurable, it can either be shown through holding on or giving up because both ways have a story to tell and it's valid. There is no fixed definition of what we call “true love”. What matters the most is that you have loved and showed it in a way that you think is right.

 

 

The Promise

I hear the chiming of the bells as I stood from afar. The church is getting near and I couldn't contain my emotions. Nervousness is eating me and I want to back out, to run and hide but I know I couldn't. This event is inevitable.

Yes, I know that we had grown with each other. You and I? We had a promise and I will be fulfilling it today. No matter what the circumstances are I will be in church and see you walk down the aisle even if it means that at the end of the day, I will go home and find someone who will cheer me up after I get broken with you.

But please let me travel down memory lane and recall the day we promised each other.

 

It was one of those many beautiful days of us together when the sky looks serene and peaceful, the sun feels gentle on our skin, and the breeze making our hair (especially yours) wave.  We always have a picnic when the roses are in full bloom. It was always your favorite time of the year. At that moment, I was certain. I loved you and I knew that you loved me too. It was a day a promise was made, it was a day full of love.

 

Then things changed, and now- here I am. Everything is a blur as I stand, waiting for you I felt like a warrior battling with my own emotions. My heart somersaults as the massive door of the church opened and revealed you.

  

Stunning with your genuine smile and glamorous gown that shimmers against the faint light from the windows. I stood there, awed at your unique beauty which seems to glow on that very day. My heart is going out of my chest as my eyes were glued to your figure. My vision only focused on you and everything else is a blur to me. It felt like winter as tears rolled down my cheeks when you are nearing me. With eyes closed, I counted from one to ten and wished for you to reconsider your decisions. Though I knew then that you will never stop for me, your walk will never be for me and your journey will never be with me but still, it hurts like my fresh wounds are seasoned with salt.

 

All I felt was pure bitterness and pain as I watched you continued to walk, pass by me towards the altar, to the man you have been dreaming. Like a boat, I am lost in the middle of a dark ocean. In bits and pieces, my heart lay broken but I couldn't do anything. You had already chosen, and I was merely an option.

How did we not reach this mile? How did I lose you? How did I let you slipped from my hands? These are the questions that flooded my mind as I witness you now exchanging vows. I cannot take it.

The pain is too much for a guy like me to handle.

And like a coward child, I ran.

I ran in hopes that I will be able to get you out of my system. I ran, in hopes that I can just easily shake you from me and move on right there and then. But I cannot.  And like a child, I cried.

I cried in hopes that it will somehow ease the pain.

            Yes, I intend for you to be my bride but you wanted a different groom, not me. I loved you but life did not work the way I wanted it to. Yes, I loved you all those years and I knew you loved me too, but I also knew that you only cared for me as a friend. We promised to be at each other's wedding no matter what.

 Being at your wedding killed me but at least I kept my promise, I fulfilled it though I left early still I was there. At this point in time let me say this parting message for you, my love. May the man would love you, my Melody, please be happy and as I set you free, I am also setting myself free.

Just remember that in my heart are the memories and there you will always be.