Literary Analysis: Phenomenal Woman

Samiksha Thapa

Diamond (170310)

John Remarek Phenomenal Woman - by Maya Angelou

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.

I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size

But when I start to tell them,

They think I’m telling lies.

I say,

It’s in the reach of my arms,

The span of my hips,

The stride of my step,

The curl of my lips

I’m a woman

Phenomenally

Phenomenal woman,

That’s me. (1)

I walk into a room

Just as cool as you please,

And to a man,

The fellows stand or

Fall down on their knees.

Then they swarm around me,

A hive of honey bees

I say,

It’s the fire in my eyes,

And the flash of my teeth,

The swing in my waist,

And the joy in my feet

I’m a woman

Phenomenally

Phenomenal woman,

That’s me. (2)

Men themselves have wondered

What they see in me.

They try so much

But they can’t touch

My inner mystery

When I try to show them,

They say they still can’t see.

I say,

It’s in the arch of my back,

The sun of my smile,

The ride of my breasts,

The grace of my style

I’m a woman

Phenomenally

Phenomenal woman,

That’s me. (3)

Now you understand

Just why my head’s not bowed

I don’t shout or jump about

Or have to talk real loud.

When you see me passing,

It ought to make you proud.

I say,

It’s in the click of my heels,

The bend of my hair,

The palm of my hand,

The need for my care.

’Cause I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That’s me. (4)

Literary Analysis Essay on “Phenomenal Woman”

What is the inner mystery of the character’s beauty in