Angelou uses the imagery of the movement of parts of a women's body in order to turn female objectification on its head. Maya Angelou says that "my secret lies" 1 not in my "size," 1 but rather "in the reach of my arms, / The span of my hips, / The stride of my step, / The curl of my lips" 1 (Lines 6 ‐9). These literary devices also work to mimic the confidence and smooth nature of the woman's stride, which Maya Angelou goes on to describe in the next part of the poem. The end rhymes "lies" 1 and "size," 1 and the internal rhymes "cute" 1 and "suit," 1 create a songlike ring to the poem and help link words that connotate false ideals of beauty-it is a lie that beauty comes down to "size," 1 and that simply being "cute" 1 is a suitable definition for a woman. The alliteration of the "W" sounds and the consonance of the "T" sounds carry the poem along smoothly, satisfyingly, and consistently. I'm no t cute or buil t to sui t a fashion model's si ze" 1 "Pre tty women wonder where my secre t lie s. Taking a closer look at the opening lines, Maya Angelou conveys this self-assurance in the cool, confident tone of the poem, which is established from the outset by her use of alliteration, consonance, and both internal and end rhymes. Angelou does not associate womanhood with being sweet, cute, and docile, but with being powerful, strong, and confident. Maya Angelou's word choice of "pretty" 1 and "cute" 1 have the connotation of lukewarm, unsubstantial words used to describe women, which she does not believe does them justice. She separates herself from the "Pretty women," 1 indicating that she is not one of them and that conventionally attractive women may wonder where Angelou's appeal comes from if not from her idealized looks. Maya Angelou sets up the poem with these words to indicate that she is not society's typical ideal of beauty. I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size" 1 (Lines 1 ‐2). The first stanza of the poem begins, "Pretty women wonder where my secret lies. 'Phenomenal Woman' was later republished in 1995 in Maya Angelou's poetry book entitled, Phenomenal Woman: Four Poems Celebrating Women. Through the poem, Maya Angelou empowers women everywhere by telling them that their beauty lies in their confidence and that women contain unique strength, power, and magnetism. 2 - Angelou's poetry celebrates womanhood. Understanding the conventional white standards of beauty and racial prejudices in 20th century America adds additional meaning to Maya Angelou's declaration of her confidence in her beauty and power as a black woman.įig. 'Phenomenal Woman' is a poem written for all women, but particularly represents Angelou's experience as a black woman in the United States of America. In the book And Still I Rise, Maya Angelou addresses themes such as race and gender, which are characteristic of her poetry. The acclaimed poetry collection features 32 poems about overcoming difficulties and despair to rise above one's circumstances. The poem was originally published in Angelou's third poetry collection entitled, And Still I Rise (1978). 'Phenomenal Woman' is a poem by the poet, writer, and Civil Rights activist, Maya Angelou. Phenomenal Woman: Maya Angelou Poem Background Information Womanhood and the power of women, societal expectations of woman and superficiality Word choice/connotation, tone, alliteration, consonance, internal rhymes, end rhymes, imagery, repetition, hyperbole, metaphor, direct address 'Phenomenal Woman' Poem Information OverviewĪnd Still I Rise (1978), Phenomenal Woman: Four Poems Celebrating Women (1995) 1 - In the poem "Phenomenal Woman," Maya Angelous describes how a woman's smile and the way she carries herself reflects her inner beauty and confidence. Maya Angelou's poem is an anthem of female empowerment that explores the theme of womanhood not through the lens of popular beauty trends, but rather through the inner strength and power of women that reflects itself outwardly and is magnetically attractively.įig. What is it that makes a woman beautiful? What is it that makes a woman powerful? Is it her eyes, her smile, her confidence, her stride, or her mystery? In the poem 'Phenomenal Woman,' Maya Angelou (1928 ‐2014) articulates that all of these things lend to a woman's beautiful and powerful nature.
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