Still Here

Still Here

By Langston Hughes

I been scarred and battered.
My hope’s the wind done scattered.
Snow has frizzed me,
Sun has baked me.

Looks like between ’em they’ve done
Tried to make me

Stop laughing, stop loving, stop living
But I don’t care!
I’m still here!

Summary of Still Here

• The Essence of Resilience: “Still Here,” written by the celebrated African American poet Langston Hughes, is a powerful testament to the enduring spirit of perseverance. This concise poem speaks to the experience of facing adversity and refusing to be diminished by it. It celebrates strength in the face of hardship, a declaration of survival against the odds.
• A Voice of Unyielding Hope: The poem unfolds as a personal proclamation from a speaker who has endured significant challenges. From the very beginning we understand that this individual has been marked by life’s difficulties – “scarred and battered.” The imagery of harsh weather – snow and sun – acts as a metaphor for the forces attempting to break the speaker’s spirit. Despite these trials, the speaker resolutely affirms their continued existence – “I’m still here!” – embodying a spirit of defiance and unwavering hope.
• Beyond the Personal: A Wider Resonance: While deeply personal, “Still Here” transcends individual experience. It is often interpreted as a representation of the resilience of the African American community throughout history, facing systemic oppression and discrimination yet continuing to thrive. The poem’s universality lies in its ability to resonate with anyone who has faced adversity and found the strength to persevere.

Analysis of Literary Devices Used in “Still Here”

Langston Hughes masterfully employs a variety of literary devices in “Still Here” to enrich its meaning and impact. These devices are integral to the poem’s effectiveness in conveying its central theme of resilience.

1. Imagery: Hughes uses vivid imagery throughout the poem to paint a picture of the speaker’s experiences. Phrases such as “scarred and battered” and “hope’s the wind done scattered” create a strong visual and emotional impact, allowing the reader to feel the weight of the speaker’s struggles. Consider the line, “Snow has frizzed me, Sun has baked me.” This is not just about weather; it is about being subjected to harsh and unforgiving conditions.
2. Metaphor: The poem functions largely through an extended metaphor. The harsh weather – snow and sun – does not represent literal conditions but rather the forces that attempt to diminish the speaker’s spirit. The act of “scattering” hopes is a metaphor for the loss of dreams and aspirations.
3. Personification: Hughes subtly imbues inanimate objects with human qualities. In the line “Sun has baked me,” the sun is personified as an active agent inflicting hardship. This personification heightens the sense of the speaker being actively targeted by forces beyond their control.
4. Alliteration and Consonance: Though subtle, the use of alliteration and consonance adds to the poem’s musicality and emphasizes certain phrases. Notice the repetition of the ‘s’ sound in “Snow has frizzed me” or the ‘b’ sound in “battered,” “baked.” These sounds create a subtle rhythm and draw attention to key words.
5. Enjambment: The use of enjambment, where a line breaks without punctuation and continues onto the next, creates a sense of momentum and breathlessness. For example, the transition from “Looks like between ’em they’ve done” to “Tried to make me” mimics the relentless nature of the challenges the speaker faces.
6. Symbolism: The poem is rich in symbolic meaning. “Snow” and “sun” symbolize the various hardships and challenges life throws at us. The phrase “stop laughing, stop loving, stop living” represents the attempt to extinguish the speaker’s very essence.

Analysis of Poetic Devices Used in Still Here

Beyond literary devices, the poem’s poetic structure also contributes to its impact. Hughes’ choices regarding form and technique enhance the poem’s emotional resonance.

1. Free Verse: “Still Here” is written in free verse, meaning it does not adhere to a strict rhyme scheme or metrical pattern. This freedom allows Hughes to mimic the natural rhythms of speech and create a more conversational, intimate tone. The lack of formal constraints mirrors the speaker’s defiant spirit.
2. Short Stanzas: The poem is composed of short, concise stanzas. This structure emphasizes the poem’s directness and urgency. Each stanza feels like a concentrated burst of emotion.
3. Direct Address/Voice: The poem is written in the first person (“I”), creating a sense of immediacy and personal connection. The speaker’s voice is strong, resolute, and unapologetic.
4. Repetition: The repetition of “stop laughing, stop loving, stop living” emphasizes the intensity of the forces trying to break the speaker. It underscores what is at stake – the speaker’s joy, affection, and very existence. The final line, “I’m still here!” is a powerful assertion of defiance.
5. Tone: The tone of the poem shifts from vulnerability and acknowledgment of hardship to defiant resilience. Initially, the speaker acknowledges being “scarred and battered,” but the tone quickly transforms with the emphatic declaration, “I don’t care! I’m still here!”

Quotes to be Used

These lines from “Still Here” are powerful and resonant, making them useful in discussions about resilience, perseverance, and the human spirit.

“I been scarred and battered.
My hope’s the wind done scattered.
Snow has frizzed me,
Sun has baked me.”

This excerpt effectively conveys the depth of the speaker’s suffering and the challenges they have overcome.

“Stop laughing, stop loving, stop living.
But I don’t care!
I’m still here!”

These lines encapsulate the poem’s central message of unwavering resilience and defiant hope. They are a powerful testament to the human spirit’s ability to endure and thrive in the face of adversity.

“Still Here” is more than just a poem; it is a declaration of strength, a celebration of survival, and a testament to the enduring power of the human spirit. Its simple yet profound message continues to resonate with readers today, reminding us that even in the face of immense hardship, we have the capacity to persevere and say, “I’m still here!”