"Phenomenal Woman" is a poem written by Maya Angelou, an American poet, author, and civil rights activist. The poem is a celebration of femininity and the power of women. It is a tribute to all women, regardless of their appearance or social status, and encourages them to embrace their inner strength and beauty.
The poem begins with the speaker declaring that she is a "phenomenal woman," a woman who is confident, self-assured, and proud of her femininity. She describes how men are attracted to her, not because of her physical appearance, but because of the way she carries herself. She speaks of her "inner mystery," which she keeps hidden from the world, and her "inner glow," which radiates from within.
The speaker then goes on to describe the various ways in which she is "phenomenal," listing a number of positive attributes and qualities that she possesses. She is strong and self-sufficient, capable of handling any challenge that comes her way. She is intelligent and wise, with a deep understanding of the world and the people around her. She is compassionate and caring, always ready to lend a helping hand to those in need.
Despite these qualities, the speaker is aware that society often judges women based on their looks, and that many people may not see her true worth. However, she is not discouraged by this, and instead embraces her uniqueness and stands proud in her own skin. She knows that she is a "phenomenal woman," and that is all that matters.
In conclusion, "Phenomenal Woman" is a powerful and inspiring poem that celebrates the strength and beauty of women. It encourages women to embrace their femininity and to be proud of who they are, despite the judgments and expectations of society. It is a reminder that every woman has her own unique qualities and abilities, and that these are what make her truly phenomenal.
Phenomenal Woman (Maya Angelou poem) Study Guide
Men also find themselves falling for her quickly, despite the fact that they cannot identify what it is that makes her so alluring. When you see me passing, It ought to make you proud. The last four lines in each stanza are recurring, emphasizing her stand that she is a phenomenal woman. I am a woman, Phenomenally. The Feminine Mystique Twice in the poem the speaker references a certain secret and mysterious allure that draws the attention of women and men alike. She is not nervous about the way she looks.
This liking of hers by men makes her say that she is a phenomenal woman. They become weak in the knees and want to be at her service. This inner beauty is what makes her so invincible and confident, as it is unique and could never be replicated through dress or makeup. All she has to do is be herself: a phenomenal woman. Irony The entire poem makes references to the fact that the speaker is a phenomenal woman despite lacking stereotypically beautiful qualities.
Taken as a whole, the poem has a very similar, argumentative structure. Irony:The poem has a deep ironical voice. Their refusal says something important about the strong hold societal beliefs have on us as individuals. Sensual, in that the speaker also recognizes her appeal to men and knows the way they desire her. Her body is not of the conventional womanly shape that has been promoted and well established in the mind of the present day society. Surprised by her popularity, many women ask her the reason. The listener should be able to better understand her power as a woman and be proud of the speaker for attracting attention while remaining subtle and calm.
Summary and Analysis of Phenomenal Woman by Maya Angelou: 2022
Genre Confident, in that the speaker is certain of her worth and beauty as a phenomenal woman. The poet says that her inner mystery lies in the arch of her back, indicating her flexibility and adjustability. Whenever she would pass the pretty women, it will really make them feel proud of her because of the sound of her heels, the style of her hair, the palm of her hand and their desire to care for her a man desires to be caring for a woman. It is in the way she walks, the rhythm of the heels of her shoes clicking against the ground in a fashionable gait. It is in the ride of her breast; in the way her bosom tardily falls and rises, signifying her dignity and elegance. It is because of all these attributes that the poet possesses that men find her attractive.
The poem has been divided into four stanzas. I walk into a room Just as cool as you please, And to a man, The fellows stand or Fall down on their knees. Keywords —phenomenal woman analysis 1. Such is the pride and self-assurance the poet places on herself. As she did with respect to the pretty women, the speaker goes on to locate the source of her mystery not in the way her body looks, but in her unique way of embodying feminine sexuality. Phenomenal Woman Meaning The word Phenomenal means remarkable or exceptional, especially exceptionally good.
Though differing slightly in the number of lines, each stanza has a similar internal structure, broken loosely into three sections. She evokes her phenomenal qualities again and again. She does not need to talk aloud or to jump here n there to get attention. The length of her arms, her hip size, the way she walks, and the way she smiles are what men find attractive. Understatement "My inner mystery" metonymy - The inner mystery stands for the inner qualities that are invisible to the eye and make up the speaker's personality.
The pretty woman refers to the woman of fair skin probably the Whites. GradeSaver, 11 April 2022 Web. She won many awards for her work over a fifty year period. While the poem makes no direct references to race, one can assume that Angelou is describing herself and thus expressing her pride as a powerful and beautiful black woman. The poem argues the traditional outlooks and apprehensions of femininity, establishing at the same time that beauty is not only skin deep. Then I try to make the content fit. When you see me passing, It ought to make you proud When people see her passing, it ought to make them proud.
Thus phenomenal woman means an extraordinary or stunning woman. The poet says that men themselves have wondered what they see in her. Once again, she explains how her unique physical features and her mannerisms are the secret to her being such a phenomenal woman. The third section is identical for all four stanzas, each of which ends with the same quatrain. Although the poem has no apparent rhythm, the heavy use of repetition and assonance makes it sound rhythmic. The poet compares men around her like a hive of honey bees. Buy Study Guide And Cosmopolitan magazine.
She wants the readers to know that it would be a sheer delight to make her an acquaintance. She is sweet like honey, and she is also powerful like a queen bee commanding the attention of the other bees. She expects us to understand why she prides on herself, and why she is so self-confident. You can also take a look at this Video Playlist to Learn More about this poem in an audio-visual format! First one is men like bees flock after the poet who denounces all the beauty stereotypes and prefers to lead her life in her own way. Her way of stretching her arms, walking with long and decisive steps, stretched hips and curved lips i. Through the poem the poet presents herself as a woman who is not quite a coquettish belle, but is beautiful in her own way. She details her powerful sensuality and calm sense of confidence, illustrating through metaphor how these men are drawn to her immediately because of these traits.
Stanza 3 In the 3rd stanza, the poet says that the men, like the pretty women, too wonder what is so beautiful in her and make her charming which they cannot see. The poet again reasserts her phenomenal existence. GradeSaver, 11 April 2022 Web. She questions male power and finishes it off. The last four lines of the poem form the refrain that has previously occurred in the poem, but in these lines there is a small modification in the words. GradeSaver, 11 April 2022 Web.
