English 3222
Introduction
to Literature II
Dr. Carmen González-Alfano
Poem Analysis of "Phenomenal Woman" by Maya Angelou
This poem by Maya Angelou is dedicated to all the women in the world. She is trying to communicate that beauty is much more than physical. And that every woman needs to appreciate herself for who she is in order to become a phenomenal women. At the beginning of the poem she makes the statement that her beauty does not conform to the face and the body of fashion model, the stereotype of beauty. All over the poem she describes the beauty on each part of her body: hips, lips, eyes, lips, knees, the way she stands, etc. Its a whole new concept on how to rate the beauty of a women.
For Maya, the respect of a man is a recognition of the beauty in a women. The standing man is the one that stands for his principles and respects the values of a women. The man on its knee is the one that bends his pride to be at the side of a real woman. A man that can see through the soul of woman and find beauty, even if the body and face of that woman is not perfect. Maya feels the good will of real men that can recognize beauty on its real form. And at the same time, she knows that each part of her body is an expression of her soul and beauty.
Later on the poem she talks of the men that wonder were the beauty resides, try to touch the beauty, but still cannot find it. This is the type of men that will only see the outside beauty of a women. And they will try to make a physical contact to find this beauty, but a real women will not allow this type of men inside her life. This is the meaning of the phrase "they try so much, but they cant touch". Finally she talks about her attitude on life: she does not bend her head, shout or talk loud. This means that she does not need to humiliate to a man or be disrespectful. She acts as a real woman, and in that respect her beauty resides.
The author creates a tone of confidence and humour in the poem. She uses simple language and a rhyme that produces a certain rhythm that its complementary to the message of the poem. The poem flows light, its message is direct and not complicated. The tone of the poem has some humor in it about the way men react when in her presence. Its her resource to convey her message.
The author also tells women to never let men disrespect them, she's saying "be confident, be yourself, if men don't like you then screw them". Its a lesson to woman to learn how to appreciate the beauty of all her body parts, and to embrace their values and feelings as part of their beauty. To see the world through the eyes of your soul. The purpose of Angelo in this poem is very clear, BE A PHENOMENAL WOMAN, no more no less.
For Maya, the respect of a man is a recognition of the beauty in a women. The standing man is the one that stands for his principles and respects the values of a women. The man on its knee is the one that bends his pride to be at the side of a real woman. A man that can see through the soul of woman and find beauty, even if the body and face of that woman is not perfect. Maya feels the good will of real men that can recognize beauty on its real form. And at the same time, she knows that each part of her body is an expression of her soul and beauty.
Later on the poem she talks of the men that wonder were the beauty resides, try to touch the beauty, but still cannot find it. This is the type of men that will only see the outside beauty of a women. And they will try to make a physical contact to find this beauty, but a real women will not allow this type of men inside her life. This is the meaning of the phrase "they try so much, but they cant touch". Finally she talks about her attitude on life: she does not bend her head, shout or talk loud. This means that she does not need to humiliate to a man or be disrespectful. She acts as a real woman, and in that respect her beauty resides.
The author creates a tone of confidence and humour in the poem. She uses simple language and a rhyme that produces a certain rhythm that its complementary to the message of the poem. The poem flows light, its message is direct and not complicated. The tone of the poem has some humor in it about the way men react when in her presence. Its her resource to convey her message.
The author also tells women to never let men disrespect them, she's saying "be confident, be yourself, if men don't like you then screw them". Its a lesson to woman to learn how to appreciate the beauty of all her body parts, and to embrace their values and feelings as part of their beauty. To see the world through the eyes of your soul. The purpose of Angelo in this poem is very clear, BE A PHENOMENAL WOMAN, no more no less.
