The quote by Zora Neale Hurston encapsulates the essence of the passage of time and the way it shapes ones life.
It beautifully captures the concept that different periods of ones life bring about varying experiences and insights.
Some years are marked by uncertainty and introspection, characterized by the asking of profound questions, while others are marked by clarity and resolution, providing the answers that one seeks.
This profound observation resonates with one as one reflects on the journey of ones life, finding solace in the understanding that even in the midst of uncertainty, answers will ultimately reveal themselves.
Zora Neale Hurston’s poignant words invite one to embrace the changing nature of ones experiences and to find wisdom in both the questions and the answers that accompany each passing year.
Book Blink
‘Their Eyes Were Watching God’ is a compelling novel by Zora Neale Hurston that intricately weaves a narrative around the protagonist, Janie Crawford, as she embarks on a profound journey to discover her own voice and assert her independence.
The book is a captivating novel that follows the journey of Janie Crawford as she searches for love and self-discovery in the vivid backdrop of 1930s rural Florida. It explores themes of race, gender, and identity in a beautifully poetic and thought-provoking way.
The story artfully navigates through Janie’s experiences in marriage and her relentless pursuit of self-fulfilment amidst the complex web of societal expectations and racial dynamics.
Hurston’s masterful storytelling delves into profound themes of love, identity, and the relentless quest for autonomy, providing readers with a rich and evocative portrayal of African American life during a transformative period in history.
The novel’s enduring relevance lies in its exploration of the human experience, offering poignant insights into the intricacies of personal growth and the resilience of the human spirit.
Through its poignant narrative and rich tapestry of characters: Janie Crawford, Pheoby Watson, Nanny, Logan Killicks, Jody Starks and Tea Cake the book weaves a telling tale.
‘Their Eyes Were Watching God’ stands as a timeless testament to the enduring strength and resilience of the human soul.
Poem
Still I Rise by Maya Angelou
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.
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,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I’ll rise.
Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops,
Weakened by my soulful cries?
Does my haughtiness offend you?
Don’t you take it awful hard
’Cause I laugh like I’ve got gold mines
Diggin’ in my own backyard.
You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I’ll rise.
Does my sexiness upset you?
Does it come as a surprise
That I dance like I’ve got diamonds
At the meeting of my thighs?
Out of the huts of history’s shame
I rise
Up from a past that’s rooted in pain
I rise
I’m a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.
Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that’s wondrously clear
I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise
I rise
I rise.
Thoughts about the Poem
Maya Angelou’s poem “Still I Rise” is a profound testament to the enduring power of resilience, strength, and empowerment.
Through her masterful use of language and imagery, Angelou captures the essence of the human spirit’s ability to prevail over adversity and oppression.
The poem encapsulates the unwavering determination to rise above challenges, symbolizing the triumph of the human soul in the face of daunting circ*mstances.
The references to ancestors and their enduring legacy evoke a profound sense of connection to history and heritage.
By invoking the struggles of the past and celebrating the resilience of those who came before, Angelou magnifies the strength derived from one’s own roots.
This powerful portrayal of heritage serves as an anchor for the speaker, empowering and emboldening the resolve to stand resilient in the face of adversity.
The repetition of the phrase “I rise” serves as a resounding affirmation of strength and endurance, amplifying the central theme of unwavering resilience.
This steadfast declaration echoes throughout the poem, reinforcing the inner resolve to persevere and emerge stronger from life’s trials and tribulations.
Angelou’s adept use of vivid imagery skilfully juxtaposes darkness and light, serving as a poignant metaphor for the journey from struggle to triumph.
The contrast depicted in the poem symbolizes the transformative power of resilience, illuminating the path from hardship to resilience and eventual victory.
The poem’s defiant tone resonates with unwavering confidence and unyielding determination.
Through this confident and triumphant voice, Angelou creates a vivid sense of empowerment, instilling the reader with hope and resilience in the face of adversity.
The poem stands as a testament to the indomitable nature of the human spirit, serving as an inspiring beacon for one navigating ones own challenges.
“Still I Rise” by Maya Angelou transcends the limitations of a mere poem, emerging as a powerful anthem that uplifts and celebrates the inexhaustible strength of the human soul in the face of trials.
Angelou’s expressive use of language and evocative imagery captures the very essence of resilience and determination, leaving an enduring imprint on one.
Her words reverberate through time, offering guidance and solace to one grappling with ones own adversities.
The enduring impact of this literary masterpiece lies in its extraordinary ability to kindle hope and courage within ones heart, illuminating the unwavering spirit that resides therein.
Painting
© Daniela Schweinsberg, Courage, 2023
Thoughts about the Painting
The painting “Courage” by Daniela Schweinsberg is a captivating piece that exudes vibrancy and depth.
Through the combination of multiple coloured layers, including vibrant pinks, reds, oranges, dark blues, and purples, the artist has created a visual symphony that dances across a light background.
These contrasting hues are expertly intertwined, giving rise to a composition that is both expressive and evocative.
The artwork itself is a testament to the artist’s skill in utilizing splatters and gestural brushstrokes to form abstract, lucid shapes and patterns.
The interplay of space and mass within the painting lends it a sense of depth and movement, while simultaneously infusing it with a dramatic structural intensity that captures the viewer’s attention.
One cannot help but be drawn into the world that Schweinsberg has crafted, as the work engages one on multiple levels.
It provokes thought and beckons one to explore the infinite possibilities of composition, form, colour, shape, and pattern.
In doing so, it inspires expansive pathways to the imagination, inviting one to embark on a journey of artistic discovery.
Furthermore, the title “Courage” holds a deeper significance for the artist, as it draws inspiration from a quote by Winston Churchill – “Success is not final, failure is not fatal, it is the courage to continue that counts.”
This narrative within the work not only reflects the artist’s perspective on the quote but also serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of perseverance and resilience.
It encapsulates Schweinsberg’s belief in the significance of pressing forward, even in the face of challenges, and serves as a powerful affirmation of strength and determination.
In essence, “Courage” is more than just a painting of abstract mark making—it is a visual narrative that encapsulates the artist’s perspective on life and the human experience.
Through its compelling imaginative composition and profound thematic underpinnings, it stands as a testament to the enduring power of artistic expression and the limitless impact of resilience and courage.
View more Book Quotations
Poem Attribution © Maya Angelou, Still I Rise
Source Attribution https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/46446/still-i-rise
View more Spotlight Poetry
Painting Attribution © Daniela Schweinsberg, Courage, 2023
Source Attribution https://dfcdths9j2gip.cloudfront.net/art/Painting-COURAGE/736657/10495565/view
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