Nikki Giovanni
Yolande Cornelia "Nikki" Giovanni Jr. is an American poet, writer, commentator, activist, and educator. One of the world's most well-known African-American poets, her work includes poetry anthologies, poetry recordings, and nonfiction essays, and covers topics ranging from race and …
What is the meaning of the poem Ego-Tripping?
The title “Ego-Tripping,” suggests many things: an actual ego trip or celebration of pride, “tripping” as in acting crazy or having your mind blown, and an ego so large that the author is tripping over it. Nikki Giovanni’s first trip to Africa was in 1972, the year of the publication of this poem.
How does Giovanni feel about herself in the poem Ego Tripping?
Giovanni stresses throughout this poem that she is powerful, and any goal is possible to attain. In the first stanza of “Ego Tripping,” Giovanni takes credit for the great wonders of the world, such as the sphinx and pyramids, and compares herself to a star that shines a divine light.
What is the meter of Ego Tripping?
Free verse is most often associated with modern poetry, as it is with Giovanni's poem. There is no pattern of rhyme or meter to “Ego-Tripping,” and instead, the irregular line breaks give the poem more of a sing-song rhythm that is best appreciated by reading it aloud.
How do you use Ego Trip in a sentence?
Use Bold and Italics only to distinguish between different singers in the same verse. The title “Ego-Tripping,” suggests many things: an actual ego trip or celebration of pride, “tripping” as in acting crazy or having your mind blown, and an ego so large that the author is tripping over it.
What is the message of the poem Ego Tripping?
Giovanni's poem, “Ego-Tripping,” is a call to power and equality through pride. It is an anthem for black women, with its effort to inspire pride in women's lives. These are women whose lives are filled with accomplishments that need to be acknowledged.
What is the tone of the poem Ego Tripping?
The speakers attitude is very egotistical and prideful which was revealed by the title. The speaker talks of herself in a divine almost perfect sense and leaves no room for the opinion of anyone else. she shows an attitude of an almost disturbing self love that cannot be shaken.
When was the poem Ego Tripping written?
“Ego Tripping” was written by Yolande Cornelia “Nikki” Giovanni, Jr. who was born in Knoxville, Tennessee on June 7, 1943. G9iovanni is a writer, poet, activist, and educator whose work was influenced during the Black Power Movements and the Civil Rights Movement. The poem was released in 2002.
What is the effect of hyperbole in the poem Ego Tripping?
In example, in “Ego Tripping” she wrote, “My nose giving oil to the arab world”. In addition, she also she wrote “I got hot and sent an ice age to Europe”. This is the poetic technique of hyperbole where she uses exaggeration to highlight her liberated self where she can do all things, and there's no border.
What is the effect of hyperbole in this poem?
Hyperbole is the use of over-exaggeration to create emphasis or humor. It's not intended to be taken literally. Rather, it's supposed to drive a point home and make the reader understand just how much the writer felt in that moment.
What does the speaker mean when she says I am so perfect so divine so ethereal so surreal I Cannot be comprehended except by my permission?
“I am so perfect so divine so ethereal so surreal I cannot be comprehended except by my permission”, this statement uttered by Nikki Giovanni shows her self-confidence and pride she has within her.
Who wrote Ego Tripping?
Nikki GiovanniBorn in 1943, Nikki Giovanni is the author of numerous collections of poetry and was the first recipient of the Rosa Parks Woman of Courage Award.
What is an Enjambment in poetry?
Enjambment, from the French meaning “a striding over,” is a poetic term for the continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line of poetry to the next. An enjambed line typically lacks punctuation at its line break, so the reader is carried smoothly and swiftly—without interruption—to the next line of the poem.
Is Nikki Giovanni still alive?
Yolande Cornelia "Nikki" Giovanni Jr. (born June 7, 1943) is an American poet, writer, commentator, activist, and educator....Nikki GiovanniPeriod1968–presentWebsiteOfficial website4 more rows
What literary device is used in Ego Tripping?
The speaker employs hyperbole to detract from the supposed negative qualities of her race and gender, and the rhythm of the poem enables the speaker to express her excitement and pride in her race to her readers and listeners.
Is Nikki Giovanni still alive?
Yolande Cornelia "Nikki" Giovanni Jr. (born June 7, 1943) is an American poet, writer, commentator, activist, and educator....Nikki GiovanniPeriod1968–presentWebsiteOfficial website4 more rows
What is an Enjambment in poetry?
Enjambment, from the French meaning “a striding over,” is a poetic term for the continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line of poetry to the next. An enjambed line typically lacks punctuation at its line break, so the reader is carried smoothly and swiftly—without interruption—to the next line of the poem.
Ego-Tripping (there may be a reason)
The title “Ego-Tripping,” suggests many things: an actual ego trip or celebration of pride, “tripping” as in acting crazy or having your mind blown, and an ego so large that… Read More
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The title “Ego-Tripping,” suggests many things: an actual ego trip or celebration of pride, “tripping” as in acting crazy or having your mind blown, and an ego so large that the author is tripping over it.
What is the meaning of the poem "Ego-Tripping"?
In the poem “Ego-Tripping” by Nikki Giovanni, she normalizes her worth by continuing to royalist herself as a black woman who is essential to mankind. Giovanni creates a vision throughout the poem, which leaves a thought in mind of how woman should look at themselves with much confidence as Giovanni does.
What is a go trip?
Furthermore, go trip is something that is undertaken in order to draw attention to a person’s own image or appraisal to him or herself. This is done strictly to satisfy one’s…show more content…
How does Alice Walker use Virginia Woolf's ideas?
Walker uses Woolf’s ideas as a feminist scaffold upon which she builds up blackness. Alice Walker quotes and adapts Virginia Woolf’s writing to reframe it for black women. She inserts and changes words to reshape Woolf’s writing to reach black feminists and to tell the painful narrative of black women’s history. It is clear that Alice Walker has respect for Virginia Woolf, and while she does not tear Woolf down in her essay, she also does not sing Woolf’s praises.
What is the book of poems called that Giovanni is free to do what she pleases?
Ego Tripping (there may be a reason why) was published with a bundle of poetry which is entitled My House, the book of poems had a common underlying idea that Giovanni is free to do what she pleases and live by her own set of rules (Masterpieces of American Literature Ed. Steven G. Read More.
What is the significance of Morrison's novel?
This novel contains a number of autobiographical elements. Morrison has been a major writer in creating a literary language for African ,especially in resorting to fragmentary narration. All of works also show the influence of European music, fashion, traditions and customs on African nations .
When was Giovanni's poem released?
The poem was released in 2002. Her work provided a strong, militant yet African-American feel that was manifested through her writing. Giovanni work includes variety of topics ranging from race and social issues to children literature.
How does it feel to be colored me?
She portrays individuals as diverse colored packs, all of which are filled with the illogical bits of things that make up life.
What is the meaning of the poem "Ego-Tripping"?
In the poem “Ego-Tripping” by Nikki Giovanni, she normalizes her worth by continuing to royalist herself as a black woman who is essential to mankind. Giovanni creates a vision throughout the poem, which leaves a thought in mind of how woman should look at themselves with much confidence as Giovanni does. “Ego Tripping” was written by Yolande Cornelia “Nikki” Giovanni, Jr. who was born in Knoxville, Tennessee on June 7, 1943. G9iovanni is a writer, poet, activist, and educator whose work was influenced during the Black Power Movements and the Civil Rights Movement. The poem was released in 2002.
What are the cultural influences of Natasha Trethewey?
Biracial and silenced: The Cultural Influences of Natasha Trethewey’s Childhood within her Poetry Natasha Trethewey, undoubtedly one of the most well-known southern modern contemporary poets often expresses her feelings of poetry, stating, “I think there is a poem out there for everyone, to be an entrance into the poetry and a relationship with it” (LeGro). Trethewey began writing as a child, and uses poetry to convey an untold story from her culture. Trethewey was born on April 26, 1966 in Gulfport, Mississippi. Her parents, Gwendolyn Ann Turnbough and Eric Trethewey, were both prestigious workers in the community as a biracial couple. Trethewey’s childhood during the twentieth century was unlike any childhood during the twenty-first century.
What does Giovanni emphasize in the poem?
Giovanni stresses throughout this poem that she is powerful, and any goal is possible to attain. In the first stanza of “Ego Tripping,” Giovanni takes credit for the great wonders of the world, such as the sphinx and pyramids, and compares herself to a star that shines a divine light. She then compares herself to Nefertiti and Allah in ...
What is the third stanza of Giovanni's story?
The third stanza solidifies her powers, detailing tasks made easy to her with superior speed, strength and power. Giovanni then moves on to great leaders of Rome and Greece and relates that she surpasses them because unlike them, she is not defeated.
Introduction
- The poem “Ego-Tripping,” written by Nikki Giovanni, was first published in 1972 in a collection of poetry titled My House. Best known under this shortened title, the poem's full title is actually “Ego-Tripping (there may be a reason why).” The poem is also included in a children's book of poetry, …
Author Biography
- Born Yolanda Cornelia Giovanni on June 7, 1943, Nikki Giovanni grew up in Lincoln Heights, a predominately black suburb of Cincinnati, Ohio. Growing up, she frequently visited Knoxville, Tennessee, the city of her birth and the home of her grandparents. When she was fourteen, she moved back to Knoxville to live with her maternal grandparents. Giovanni enrolled at Fisk Univer…
Media Adaptations
- A recording of Nikki Giovanni reading her poem “Ego-Tripping” is posted on her website: http://nikki-giovanni.com/egotrippingqt.shtml.
- Although she did not publish the poem until the following year, Giovanni reads “Ego-Tripping” on a 1971 recording titled Truth Is on Its Way. This is her first recording, and it was re-released on...
- A recording of Nikki Giovanni reading her poem “Ego-Tripping” is posted on her website: http://nikki-giovanni.com/egotrippingqt.shtml.
- Although she did not publish the poem until the following year, Giovanni reads “Ego-Tripping” on a 1971 recording titled Truth Is on Its Way. This is her first recording, and it was re-released on...
- Giovanni reads “Ego-Tripping” on In Philadelphia, a recording released in 1997 by Collectables that is still available on compact disk.
- Giovanni also reads “Ego-Tripping” on a short video titled Spirit to Spirit: Nikki Giovanni, released in 1987. This film was directed and produced by Mirra Bank and is distributed by Direct Cinema...
Themes
- Ethnic and Cultural Roots
Much of the setting of “Ego-Tripping” is in Africa. By making the speaker a strong and powerful goddess, Giovanni counters the oppression that so many blacks have had to endure in the United States. The first line, “I was born in the Congo,” establishes that the speaker is proud of her origi… - Egoism/Pride
The full title of this poem, “Ego-Tripping (there may be a reason why),” suggests that one theme is egotism and pride. But as the subheading suggests, there may be a reason why the poet feels so compelled to boast. The poet uses this poem to celebrate a black heritage that is meant to coun…
Topics For Further Study
- Take the first line of Giovanni's poem and use it as the first line of your own poem, changing the last word to reflect your own birthplace. Write a poem of at least twenty lines by continuing this...
- Giovanni's speaker identifies herself as a female of infinite power. She is a goddess in the Greek tradition. Research the role of Greek gods and goddesses in early Greek life and write …
- Take the first line of Giovanni's poem and use it as the first line of your own poem, changing the last word to reflect your own birthplace. Write a poem of at least twenty lines by continuing this...
- Giovanni's speaker identifies herself as a female of infinite power. She is a goddess in the Greek tradition. Research the role of Greek gods and goddesses in early Greek life and write an essay in...
- Giovanni's poem was composed early in the 1970s. Research the economic and social status of African Americansin the 1960s and 1970s. Prepare an oral report in which you discuss the experiences of b...
- Select a poem by any nineteenth-century female author and compare it to Giovanni's poem. I…
Style
- Figurative Language
Giovanni employs figurative language to create images that are not necessarily intended to be taken literally. Figurative language allows the poet and the reader to use their imaginations to see the world differently, often through the use of simile or metaphor. In figurative language, the poe… - Free Verse
Free verse is verse with no discernable structure, rhyme scheme, or meter, and it allows the poet to fit the poetic line to the content of the poem. The poet is not restricted by the need to shape the poemto a particular meter but can instead create complex rhythm and syntax. Free verse is not t…
Historical Context
- The Civil Rights Movement
After the Civil War ended, Reconstruction was suppose to guarantee African Americans equal rights. In some cases, this appeared to be happening, but the reality of Reconstruction was quite different. In many communities, legislation was passed that was designed to circumvent the int…
Compare & Contrast
- 1970s: Social activist and Baptist minister, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., was an influential leader in the civil rights movement in the United States. He was assassinated in April 1968, but his lega...
- 1970s: Shirley Chisholm is the first African-American woman to be elected to the U.S. Congress. She is a candidate for the U.S. Presidency as a Democrat in 1972 and wins 151 (s…
- 1970s: Social activist and Baptist minister, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., was an influential leader in the civil rights movement in the United States. He was assassinated in April 1968, but his lega...
- 1970s: Shirley Chisholm is the first African-American woman to be elected to the U.S. Congress. She is a candidate for the U.S. Presidency as a Democrat in 1972 and wins 151 (some sources say 152)...
- 1970s: The Black Aesthetic Movement is in full swing, bringing about a period of great literary and artistic development for African Americans. The movement is an effort to create a populist art th...
- 1970s: Huey Newton and Bobby Seale, along with Leroy Eldridge Cleaver, are among some o…
Critical Overview
- As has been the case with most poetry, Giovanni's collections were rarely reviewed by book critics, especially her earlier books. There are other ways, however, to evaluate the impact that her work has on her readers. In 1968, Giovanni self published her first two books of poetry, Black Feeling, Black Talk and Black Judgement. The second book sold 6,000 copies within the first six months…