Steven GonzagowskiLIT 200December 15, 2019LIT 200 Final ProjectTitle of chosen passage:“And Still I Rise” By Maya AngelouInterpreting LiteratureI have chosen the psychoanalytic theory for this piece of literature. Psychoanalytic theorycomes from the studies of Sigmund Freud. (Ryan, pg. 113) Essentially, this theory believes thateverything that we do especially creatively is influenced by our unconscious mind. When apsychoanalytic theorist approaches a piece of literature they try to comprehend the author’s andreader’s desires. Authors bring their desires, fears, and hopes to their writing but we as reader’sbring our preferences, desires, and opinions as well. We are encouraged to free associate whenwe read literature and interpret these associations. As I look at Maya Angelou’s poem “And StillI Rise” I find myself asking myself if I am guilty of the stereotype she speaks about in the line:“Does my sassiness upset you?” (ln. 5) Have I stereotyped black women as sassy? Or was thisline Ms. Angelou’s deep seated frustration coming through? But then I continue reading and I amreminded of the times in my life where I was mute and refused to share an injustice done to mebecause I was afraid of the repercussions? Psychoanalytic theory encourages readers to connect
