Phenomenal Woman Essays - 1223 Words

Maya Angelou is best known for addressing the world through the medium of her own life. Her works are a reflection of the social issues that were prevalent in the second half of the 20th century. â€Å"Phenomenal Woman† by Maya Angelou celebrates femininity and highlights the traits necessary for a woman to become ‘phenomenal.’ She believes that it is not the outer beauty of a person but the inner one which makes each woman phenomenal. She criticizes the biased societal expression that expects women to starve themselves in order to be considered ‘pretty.’ Stanza 1: â€Å"Phenomenal Woman† begins with a stark comment saying that she is neither cute nor has a great figure to suit a model’s size. She tells that ‘pretty women’ often wonders where the†¦show more content†¦In fact, her influence lies in her grace, in her femininity. She says she is a supreme woman, â€Å"Phenomenally/ Phenomenal woman/ That’s me.† Stanza 4:In the last stanza, she asks her readers that they must have understood by then her power and influence on others and why her head is never bowed that is she walks confidently with her head always held high. She says that she need not have to jump or talk loudly to grab attention when she walks by. She influences all by passing quietly yet full of expression in every gesture she makes. She declares that her power lies in the sound of her heels, the curve in her hair, the palm of her hand. Finally, she restates the fact the she is a ‘phenomenal woman.’ Analysis: Form and Structure:The poem, â€Å"Phenomenal Woman† is structured into four stanzas and the number of lines in each stanza varies from one another. The poem is written in free verse which allows the poet to compose long and short sentences without any interruption. The language used by the poet is lucid and colloquial in nature. The language so used highlights the distinctive qualities of a ‘phenomenal woman.’ Though the language is simple but it has energetic and fluent phrases to signify the inner strength of a woman which makes her ‘phenomenal.’ Few such examples from the poem are listed below, *the fire in my eyes*the stride of my step*the swing in my waste*the joy in my feet*theShow MoreRelatedEmancipation of a Woman in Phenomenal Woman by Maya Angelou549 Words   |  3 PagesAny girl could say she is a woman. It takes a strong woman to be a phenomenal woman. A phenomenal woman does not rely on others for financial, mental and social needs. A woman like this takes pride in her-self and doesn’t let anyone put her down. Throughout the times a woman strives for her independence to become her own individual in life. Phenomenal Woman, written by Maya Angelou, is a poem which is an anthem for all women’s strength in their own womanhood. (Angelou 1) The poem speaks out toRead MorePhenomenal Woman by Maya Angelou674 Words   |  3 PagesThe title of the poem is ‘Phenomenal Woman’. Phenomenal is not a word which is often used to describe a woman. One would hear a woman described as beautiful or pretty but the word phenomenal is telling us that this is no ordinary woman, she is special and outstanding. The poem starts off with the words ‘pretty woman’ which makes us realise that this phenomenal woman would not be regarded as pretty in the eyes of society. The poet then describes the woman who is normally appreciated by society: ‘ImRead MorePhenomenal Woman By Maya Angelou1591 Words   |  7 Pagescan one identify a phenomenal woman? Can one say it is measured by the good deeds she has done or maybe even her personality? Maya Angelou gave a deep reasoning of wh y and how she is a phenomenal woman. This poem, Phenomenal Women, has uplifted many woman all across the globe and inspired the youth to know there worth. 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TheRead MoreAnalysis Of The Poem Phenomenal Woman By Maya Angelou2030 Words   |  9 PagesSummary of Phenomenal Woman by Maya Angelou Stanza 1: â€Å"Phenomenal Woman† begins with a attack on stereotypes. She proudly declares that she neither has a hourglass figure, nor a cute face. Her success without essential feminine traits surprises pretty women and they often want to know the secret of her success. She describes her secret saying that it comes from her confidence, the way she stretches her arms, the way she walks, the rhythm of her hips and also the way she smiles. Her entire body isRead MoreAnalysis Of The Poem Phenomenal Woman By Maya Angelou1353 Words   |  6 PagesIn the poem â€Å"Phenomenal Woman† written by Maya Angelou, the poem is strong, it is about womanhood, the strength not the weakness that describes Maya Angelou. Although Maya Angelou is describing herself, she is in fact describing all women and is therefore a poem of feminism and the feminist perspective. The structure of this poem is loosely arranged into four stanzas. The idea of this poem is that physical beauty is not wh at makes a woman phenomenal but the way she has confidence in herself and herRead MoreAnalysis Of The Poem Phenomenal Woman By Maya Angelou925 Words   |  4 PagesMaya Angelou, writer of, â€Å"Phenomenal Woman† illustrates that woman are as strong, determined, and beautiful just the way they are. We were built to fulfill the same roles as men and be able to achieve in anything what we set our minds to. We as woman should never let any man or significant other define us for who we are and the roles we play as young woman in the US. With this intention, women are born into the world and are taught to grow up to become a young, wise, and vibrant figure. Angelou’sRead MoreHear Her Roar: the Feminist Strengths in Phenomenal Woman and Still I Rise1018 Words   |  5 PagesHear Her Roar: The Feminist Strengths in Phenomenal Woman and Still I Rise Trista James English Composition 1102 Professor Cameron Indian River State College April 10, 2013 Maya Angelou Maya Angelou Abstract Growing up during times of common race and gender discrimination, Maya Angelou has proven to people she is a strong African American woman who would not allow inequality of any kind bring her down. This paper