The stanzas are homogenous in structure. Each has four or five rhyming lines, then the line "I say," then a few lines of rhyming imagery describing the speaker physically, then a refrain:
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.
This overall structure of rhythm, rhyme, and refrain makes the poem resemble an upbeat song. Along with the imagery of the speaker's body and physical attributes, this song-like structure creates a sense of a woman singing or dancing, which adds to the poem's sex appeal and sense of sensual beauty.
The first stanza says that "pretty women" question what it is that makes the speaker attractive, since she is not "cute" or "a fashion model's size." This shows that the speaker is confident and strong, which adds to her attractiveness.
Her confidence and strength is added to in the first stanza with the words Angelou chose to physically describe the speaker: the word "reach" in "reach of my arms" indicates that this is a strong woman who strives towards her goals. We imagine her with her arms outstretched confidently. The word "stride" in "stride of my step" makes readers picture a woman with a purposeful walk.
The second stanza describes what happens when the speaker enters a room full of men. She compares them to "a hive of honeybees." This metaphor creates an image of a single woman, a queen bee, surrounded by a large group of noisy men all wanting to be close to her and please her. Like a phenomenal woman, a honey bee produces something sweet but can also sting. The second stanza also has some physical description that adds to the development of this strong woman: "fire" in "fire in my eyes" paints the speaker as a woman who can burn you with a look. "Flash" in "flash of my teeth" shows that she is not afraid to open her mouth, to speak her mind or to share her emotions through laughter.
In the third stanza, the speaker is again answering questions, echoing the first stanza. In the first stanza, the questions were from pretty women who didn't understand why the speaker is considered phenomenal. In the third stanza, in contrast, the questions are from men, questioning themselves and why they find her so attractive. Also in contrast, the third stanza presents the quiet mystery of the speaker. Words like "arch," "smile," and "grace" create an image of a woman with silent poise. She attracts others to her because she is proud and enigmatic.
In the fourth and final stanza, the speaker compares herself to women who have to make a spectacle of themselves to be considered attractive. The image of an obnoxious woman jumping around and talking loudly is a contrast to the picture of a quiet, mysterious woman who stands erect and proud in the previous stanza. In this description, the onomatopoeic "click of my heels" reminds the reader of every formidable woman in their lives, when the only sound is the click of her heels as she approaches down a silent hall: the teacher, the school principal, the boss. However, Angelou also finally reveals that what makes this proud, confident, enigmatic, strong woman so attractive is that she cares for others: "the palm of my hand" creates an image of the phenomenal woman reaching out to the reader, and "The need for my care" shows that men and women alike are not just struck by her physical beauty or confidence, but also by her loving, caring nature. The most phenomenal woman in your life is someone who cares for you deeply, your mother.
Each stanza closes with the refrain, and the four stanzas build up the explanation of what a phenomenal woman actually is: a strong, confident woman. A mysterious woman. Not a loud, boisterous, self-absorbed woman, but a calm, caring woman. These qualities make her desirable and phenomenal.
No comments:
Post a Comment