The phenomenal woman is written by one of the prominent writers Maya Angelou from her volume of poetry “And still I rise”, most of her poems she celebrates the body and the uniqueness that separates her from other women. The majority of her works also deal with both the racism and sexism which she experiences as an African American woman.
Throughout each stanza, the speaker exposes the attributes which she possesses which attract the opposite sex, even though she does not fit into society’s definition of the ideal beautiful woman. She includes the physical traits that make her stand out from her hips to her smile and as the poem progress, she highlights the inner mystery that makes her so attractive to the men around her. Each stanza ends with her describing the confidence and pride she has in herself which radiates from her. Her use of the word Phenomenal has a two-level meaning one is about the extraordinary and impressive and also it highlights the synonym with unbelievable.
Throughout each line, she breaks or rejects the narrow expectations of women and defines another perspective on what defines real beauty. Confidence and comfort are one’s skin color, which marks true beauty. It offers an empowering message for all women. The real beauty is not skin deep rather it reflects from our face, from our heart and that is our real beauty.