Phenomenal Woman

“Phenomenal Woman,” was one of Angelou’s favorite poems. As critic Harold Bloom notes, the poem is hymn-like; its “self-confident speaker reveals her attributes as a phenomenal woman. Unlike the fashion magazines' beauties, she exults in being different” (Bloom, Harold. Maya Angelou. Broomall, Chelsea House Publishers, 2002). This self-assurance gives the speaker a strength that surprises those around her.

As the poem begins, the speaker notes that her physical attributes do not align with the standard of 1970’s beauty. She makes it plain that she is “not cute” (Line 2) or “a fashion model’s size” (Line 2), suggesting she is neither doll-like and unthreatening, nor physically tiny: She is in no way diminutive. The speaker acknowledges that her appearance is notably different from that of the “pretty women” (Line 1) who surround her. Because these women believe in received ideals of beauty, they cannot understand “where my secret lies” (Line 1). In other words, because she doesn’t meet the presumed standard, they cannot believe her sexual attractiveness is viable. She must be “telling lies” (Line 4). The speaker, however, is defiant. The rest of the poem details where the speaker’s appeal actually rests: She is a woman who moves with confidence, is welcoming and inclusive, and radiates passion.