Femininity In Maya Angelou's Phenomenal Woman

Throughout history, people have portrayed men and women differently often requiring of the former masculinity and of the latter femininity. Society often tries to assign specific traits for men and specific traits for women. The value of a women is different than a man’s value. This leaves society with the question, “What does it mean for a man to be masculine and a woman to be feminine?” Are these phrases established to help us identify genders? In society, it is intimated that men have to possess the masculinity gender and women have to possess the femininity gender. Typically as seen throughout society, men have to possess the masculinity gender. According to society, it is expected that men are to show wisdom in the line of sorrow and show

Maya writes, “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, I hive of honey bees.” Maya is writing about how she feels powerful when she walks into the room, but the men swarm her when the see her because of her beauty. The measure of her value is how the men swarm her when they see her. This woman,Maya, is showing that women can be just as powerful as men. However, in David Jacques-Louis’ “Oath of the Horatil,” a father is illustrated presenting his three sons with swords. The father shows his emotionless bravery as he presents the swords to his sons. His sons are preparing to take on the war and they appear to be ready. However, the women on the other hand are sitting off to the side helplessly crying. They are showing their weakness of emotion. The men are emotionless, nut the women are full of emotion. This event illustrated shows the women’s appeal to emotion. It is clear that the men and women have come to the consensus that the men are the action seekers and the women are the emotion