Phenomenal Woman Meaning

The meaning of the poem 'Phenomenal Woman' is that women are a powerful presence.
However, this power does not come from superficial beauty, but from the inner confidence
and strength of women which reflects itself externally. Maya Angelou uses the poem
'Phenomenal Woman' to point out that it is the inner beauty and grace of women that creates the
magnetism and presence we see on the outside.

Phenomenal Woman: Form

'Phenomenal Woman is a lyric poem written in five stanzas of varying lengths. Though it makes
use of rhymes occasionally, it is primarily written in free verse.

Womanhood and the power of women

In the poem 'Phenomenal Woman,' Maya Angelou presents womanhood as a powerful and
mysterious thing. It is not something that can be physically seen or fully understood
because women have an "inner mystery" 1 that is alluring to men and to others (Line 34).
This "mystery" is not something that can be defined or taken by others, lending women a unique
power in their identity. The poem stresses that a woman's inner power is reflected outwardly in the
way she moves, carries herself, smiles, and in a way that she radiates joy and confidence. Maya
Angelou makes it clear that femininity is not meek, but it is a strength. The poem sends the
message that the world needs a woman's care and presence, which is part of her dynamic power.

Societal expectations and superficiality

The poem is opened with the declaration that the speaker does not fit the beauty standards of
society. However, this does not deter her from being confident nor from being perceived as
beautiful. While society often turns to physical and superficial means to define a woman's beauty,
Angelou explains that this physical beauty is a manifestation of a woman's inner strength and
confidence.

Maya Angelou Quotes About Being a Woman

Angelou deeply believed in the strength and uniqueness of being a woman. She saw
womanhood as something to be embraced and celebrated despite life's difficulties. Maya
Angelou is famous for her inspiring quotes for women, and they can help readers understand her
perspective and the theme of womanhood in her poetry. Here are some quotes about womanhood
by Maya Angelou:

I am grateful to be a woman. I must have done something great in another life." 2

I would like to be known as an intelligent woman, a courageous woman, a loving woman, a woman
who teaches by being." 2
Each time a woman stands up for herself, without knowing it possibly, without claiming it,
she stands up for all women." 2
"Phenomenal Woman" is a poem by Maya Angelou that celebrates the power, resilience, and
beauty of women. Here's an overview of the poem:
1. **Confidence and Self-Assurance**: The poem begins with the speaker confidently asserting
her own worth and beauty. She declares, "Pretty women wonder where my secret lies,"
suggesting that her confidence and self-assurance set her apart from others.

2. **Inner Strength and Character**: Throughout the poem, the speaker emphasizes the
importance of inner strength and character over conventional beauty standards. She describes
herself as someone who doesn't conform to society's expectations of beauty, yet exudes a
magnetic charm and confidence.

3. **Physical Attributes**: While the speaker acknowledges her physical attributes, such as her
walk and her smile, she emphasizes that her beauty goes beyond external appearances. She
suggests that her allure comes from within, from her confidence, resilience, and self-assurance.

4. **Empowerment and Liberation**: The poem exudes a sense of empowerment and liberation,
as the speaker celebrates her own identity and refuses to be defined by others' perceptions or
expectations. She revels in her own uniqueness and encourages other women to do the same.

5. **Universal Appeal**: "Phenomenal Woman" resonates with readers of all genders and
backgrounds, as it speaks to the universal experience of finding strength and beauty within oneself.
The poem celebrates the resilience and power of women, affirming their worth and dignity in the
face of societal pressures and expectations.

Overall, "Phenomenal Woman" is a celebration of female strength, beauty, and resilience. Maya
Angelou's powerful and affirming words inspire readers to embrace their own uniqueness and
recognize the inherent worth and beauty within themselves.

Certainly! Let's break down Maya Angelou's poem "Phenomenal Woman" line by line:

"Pretty women wonder where my secret lies,"

Here, the speaker introduces herself as someone who defies conventional beauty standards.
Despite not fitting into society's narrow definition of beauty, she exudes confidence and allure that
others find intriguing.

"I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size,"

The speaker acknowledges that she does not conform to the typical standards of physical beauty,
which often prioritize a specific body type or appearance dictated by the fashion industry.

"But when I start to tell them,"

The speaker hints that she possesses a secret or quality that sets her apart from other women.

"They think I'm telling lies."

Others are skeptical or disbelieving when the speaker begins to share her secret or reveal her true
essence.

"I say, It's in the reach of my arms,"

The speaker suggests that her power and allure come from within, symbolized by the reach of her
arms, which metaphorically represents her inner strength and capability.

"The span of my hips,"

She celebrates her body and physicality, including her hips, which are often associated with
femininity and sensuality.

"The stride of my step,"

The speaker's confident and purposeful stride signifies her self-assurance and presence.

"The curl of my lips."

Her smile or expression exudes charm and confidence, adding to her magnetic appeal.

"I'm a woman
Phenomenally."

Here, the speaker asserts her identity as a woman with confidence and pride. She celebrates her
womanhood as something extraordinary and remarkable.

"Phenomenal woman,
That's me."

The speaker reaffirms her own worth and uniqueness, declaring herself to be a "phenomenal
woman." This repetition emphasizes her confidence and self-assurance.

"Now you understand

Just why my head's not bowed."

The speaker suggests that her self-assurance and inner strength are the reasons why she does
not bow her head in shame or insecurity. She stands tall and proud, unapologetically embracing
her own beauty and worth.

"I don't shout or jump about

Or have to talk real loud."

The speaker does not need to seek attention or validation through outward displays of behavior.
Her confidence and presence speak for themselves, without the need for excessive displays or
attention-seeking behavior.

"When you see me passing,

It ought to make you proud."

The speaker's mere presence and confidence should inspire pride in others, particularly women
who may see themselves reflected in her strength and resilience.

"I say,
It's in the click of my heels,"

The speaker continues to list the qualities that make her remarkable, including the sound of her
heels clicking as she walks, which symbolizes her confidence and assertiveness.

"The bend of my hair,"

She celebrates her natural beauty, including the way her hair falls or moves, without conforming to
societal standards of perfection.
"The palm of my hand,"

Even the way she gestures or moves her hands exudes confidence and grace, further
emphasizing her self-assurance and presence.

"The need for my care."

The speaker's caring nature and inner strength are also part of what makes her extraordinary. She
is not only confident and independent but also compassionate and nurturing.

"'Cause I'm a woman

Phenomenally."

Once again, the speaker asserts her identity as a "phenomenal woman," emphasizing her own
worth and uniqueness.

"Phenomenal woman,
That's me."

The poem concludes with the speaker reaffirming her own worth and identity, declaring herself to
be a "phenomenal woman" once more. This repetition serves to underscore her confidence and
self-assurance.

Through each line, Maya Angelou's "Phenomenal Woman" celebrates the strength, beauty, and
resilience of women who defy societal expectations and embrace their own uniqueness and worth.

The themes and title of Maya Angelou's poem "Phenomenal Woman" are interconnected and
contribute to the overall message and impact of the poem.

Themes:

1. **Female Empowerment**: The poem celebrates the power, strength, and resilience of women.
It emphasizes that true beauty and allure come from within, rooted in confidence, self-assurance,
and inner strength rather than conforming to external standards of beauty.

2. **Self-Confidence and Self-Love**: "Phenomenal Woman" underscores the importance of

self-confidence and self-love. The speaker exudes confidence in her own worth and beauty,
embracing her uniqueness and refusing to be defined by societal expectations or standards.

3. **Individuality and Authenticity**: The poem celebrates individuality and authenticity,

encouraging women to embrace their own identities and to be proud of who they are. It rejects the
notion of one-size-fits-all beauty standards and emphasizes the beauty and power of being true to
oneself.

4. **Resistance to Oppression**: Through the speaker's assertion of her own worth and identity,
"Phenomenal Woman" can also be seen as a form of resistance to societal norms and
expectations that seek to marginalize or diminish women. It challenges stereotypes and empowers
women to define themselves on their own terms.

5. **Unity and Solidarity**: While the poem focuses on the individual strength of the speaker, it
also carries a message of unity and solidarity among women. By celebrating her own power and
beauty, the speaker inspires pride and empowerment in others, fostering a sense of unity and
solidarity among women.
Title:

The title "Phenomenal Woman" encapsulates the central theme and message of the poem. It
celebrates the extraordinary qualities and inherent worth of women, emphasizing their power,
resilience, and beauty. By declaring herself a "phenomenal woman," the speaker asserts her own
identity and worth, while also affirming the identity and worth of women as a whole. The title
serves as a bold declaration of female empowerment and pride, setting the tone for the
celebratory and empowering message of the poem.

“Phenomenal Woman” Summary

The speaker refers to an elusive "secret" about herself that conventionally attractive women
struggle to understand. She explains that she doesn't look like the models glorified by the fashion
industry, and that when she stars to reveal her secret these other women don't believe her. The
speaker claims that her beauty is manifested in her wide hips, her confident gait, and her
smile. She's an extraordinary woman. When you think of an extraordinary woman, that's the
speaker.

Whenever the speaker calmly walks into a room, every single man present desperately competes
for her attention. These men are drawn to the speaker, buzzing around her like honey bees. This
is because her passion for life manifests in her physical appearance—in her flashing eyes, her
vibrant smile, the way her waist sways as she walks, and the happy lightness in her step. She
again declares that she's an extraordinary woman. When you think of an extraordinary woman,
that's the speaker.

Men have also asked themselves what it is about the speaker that makes her so attractive. But no
matter how hard they try to pin down the speaker's mysterious appeal, they can't come
close. Even when she tries to reveal her secret to these men, they just don't get it. The speaker
says that her beauty exists in the way she carries herself—in her confident posture; her bright,
sunny smile; the shape of her breasts; and her elegant style. She's an extraordinary woman.
When you think of an extraordinary woman, that's the speaker.

This, the speaker says, is why she insists on moving throughout the world confidently and
boldly. She doesn't have to overcompensate in any way or prove herself to anyone. In fact, when
other women see the speaker, they should be inspired to be more confident themselves. The
speaker's appeal exists in the way she struts in heels, in the way her hair falls, in the way she
holds out her hands, in the way others want her to care for them. She's an extraordinary woman.
When you think of an extraordinary woman, that's the speaker.

Beauty and Self-Acceptance

“Phenomenal Woman” challenges restrictive notions of feminine beauty. The speaker rejects
narrow societal beauty standards, and insists instead that real beauty comes from a place of self-
confidence and self-acceptance.
The speaker opens the poem by referencing the “secret” to her appeal. She explains that though
she is “not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size,” she still possesses a unique, mysterious
allure. She calls this “her inner mystery”—something that no one can precisely define or identify,
but that everyone can perceive on some level.
On the one hand, the speaker explicitly rejects narrow physical ideals of feminine beauty. For
instance, she says her beauty lies in things like “the reach of my arms / The span of my hips.”
She's not a tiny, wispy fashion model, but that doesn't mean she's not attractive.
Even more importantly, the speaker repeatedly insists that her beauty lies in the way she carries
herself—in her self-assured "stride," her bright smile, her grace, and her bold posture. All these
things make her a "phenomenal woman"—that is, an extraordinary, spectacular woman. The
speaker thus argues that true beauty stems from loving yourself, rather than trying to meet a
certain standard and then feeling bad about yourself when you can't.
Indeed, the speaker declares that such self-acceptance is exactly what makes her so irresistible.
Whenever she enters a room, she says men “swarm around" her like a "hive of honey bees,"
drawn to her passion for life and unconditional self-love. She describes the “fire in [her] eyes” and
the “joy in [her] feet” as being part of her allure, further supporting the idea that her attractiveness
comes from her refusal to feel let society fill her with any sort of shame about who she is or what
she looks like.
Whereas society may expect women to be meek, demure, and apologetic about their supposed
imperfections, the speaker refuses to belittle herself. As she says in the final stanza, “Now you
understand / Just why my head’s not bowed,” concluding that beauty is born out of radical self-
acceptance and the self-confidence that results from it.
What's more, she says that her example out to make her audience "proud." In other words, other
women should find inspiration in the speaker's confidence. Though the poem never addresses
race specifically, the fact that Angelou was a black woman writing when societal standards of
beauty were often inextricable from whiteness adds another powerful angle to this message.
Ultimately, the poem says that instead of conforming to the standards set by society, women
should reconnect with their own value and find validation from within. All women are capable of
being “phenomenal,” the poem implies, if they embrace who they are instead of trying to fit in with
arbitrary social standards. In fact, the poem suggests that accepting and loving yourself is, in itself,
an extraordinary act within a society that promotes insecurity and self-loathing in women. It is this
step towards unconditional self-love that makes a woman truly phenomenal.