Nature

Nature symbolizes longevity. Throughout the poem, Angelou employs several natural elements such as daybreak, “the sun” (9), “the moon” (9), and “the tides” (10) to support the central theme of rising against any opposition. As certain as nature's cycles of the sun and moon, the speaker knows that she, too, will continue to rise beyond the efforts of her antagonist. These symbols not only work to define the speaker, but also history itself: like the tides, the sun, and the moon, history is defined by a constant ebb and flow, rising and falling that continues across time. The speaker situates herself as part of history and establishes that she will continue to rise each day like the natural world around her.

Wealth

Wealth symbolizes confidence. Angelou uses the symbols of an oil well, gold mines, and diamonds to highlight the figurative wealth the speaker enjoys through her strength. Furthermore...