Phenomenal Woman

Montina Peoples

English 102

Heidi Bradley

Phenomenal Woman

The poem “Phenomenal Woman” written by Dr. Maya Angelou in 1978. Phenomenal Woman was a poem that was written in the book titled “And Still I Rise” in 1978. Dr. Maya Angelou was born April 4, 1928 in St. Louis, Missouri. Although born Marguerite Johnson she was given the nickname Maya from her brother. Growing up in a time when being a woman, black, and educated was an issue. Dr. Angelou went on to do many things; she’s a mother, teacher, poet, author and many more. The poem “Phenomenal Woman” by Dr. Maya Angelou the speaker understands that even though she is not a supermodel, she is beautiful and confident in herself. She wants the audience to know that even though you’re not on the cover of a magazine that you are still beautiful. “Pretty women wonder where my secret lies/ I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion models size” (Poem Hunter.com). The speaker is proud of who she is as a person and wants everyone to know.

Maya Angelou’s writings are based mostly on life and struggles of African America women and how they are treated and viewed by society. In her poem “Phenomenal Women” Angelou encourages women to embrace their beauty inside and out. Most women have the potential to do whatever they choose. She tells women that they are unique species. Although you have outer beauty your personality means so much more. Your looks do not determine your worth. Angelou states that “Now you understand/ [j]ust why my heads not bowed,” (Poem Hunter.com) this tells one not to be ashamed of who you are. Your beauty stands for itself. It makes “[t]he fellows stand or/ [f]all down on their knees” (Poem Hunter.com). Here we see that yes the beauty within you does do things to make others take notice. The speaker also measures her own beauty traits by explaining how “the stride of my steps” an achievement that was truly possible and one that both she and men tend to love. She tries to depict...