September 22, 2016
Choose one of the poems that we have studied in your reader, and analyze the title. How does this title relate to the rest of the poem, and how does it create meaning?
“Phenomenal Woman” by Maya Angelou is about standards of women and what she thinks about them in relation to herself and other women. The title of the poem has to do with the message she is trying to convey through the piece, that every woman is phenomenal no matter what they look like. I think one of the reasons why this is the title of the poem is because it is repeated and stressed so much throughout the work while it also has so much meaning behind it. Throughout the poem and the different stanzas, she makes references to how phenomenal any type of woman can be, not only the ones that fit into society’s beauty standards. Then at the end of each stanza, she says “I am a woman Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, That’s me.” I feel that her saying this at the end of every stanza really puts power into it. It really makes you think and really gets you emotional about what she’s trying to say and puts a lot of meaning into what she is saying. I overall think this is a wonderful and inspirational poem and the title really fits the poem and the message.
I would completely agree that a title of a piece of poetry usually reflects the message the author is trying to convey. Great reflection!
ReplyDeleteI wonder why no one has posted comments on your post...you are the discussion leader for this week.
ReplyDeleteThe title and context of the poem do strongly coincide and suggest that confidence in yourself and believing that you are "Phenomenal" are very important when it comes to your image, self-confidence, and relationships. I would also agree that she doesn't really care what she looks like, because she knows she's already phenomenal and doesn't need societal standards to feel pretty.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree that she is making it more powerful by ending the stanza with that quote each time. It really is showing how she feels. I also I agree with you and Nathan about how she doesn't really care about how others view her.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with what you said about the meaning of the title and why she would have chose it. What I have been wondering about in this poem is since she is repeating something so many times is she trying too convince herself that she is phenomenal or does she already believe it? I have seen articles that say repeating something to yourself or writing things down many times is a way of convincing yourself of something.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what you said in this post. The title has a lot to do with what the writer is saying and helps convey the overall message.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with your thoughts and your statement. I believe that the author was trying to change the meaning of the poem with this title, otherrwise, this poem wouldn't mean the same thing.
ReplyDeletei agree with you completely, her message that all women are beautiful is very powerful and emotional.
ReplyDeleteI thought your interpretation of the title was spot on. As long as you're being true to yourself you are phenomenal. Like we were talking about in class, you just need to be confident in your self and that's the most beautiful thing anyone can have. As long as you're not too confident.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI think you did a great job on analyzing this poem.
DeleteI couldn't agree more, your interpretation of the poem was spot on They way in which she reiterates the phrase 'phenomenal woman' really has a strong effect on the poem. She saying that now matter what other people think about her she is phenomal all because she is herself.
ReplyDelete*phenomenal
ReplyDeletei completely agree with Destiny. You were spot on with everything. Your wording was good, they way you related the title was good, your opinion of the poem was good. Just everything was great.
ReplyDeleteThere is definitely more depth to this title than the others, but I've noticed that many of these poems have basic titles that convey an object or theme within. Which is also likely why we were instructed to make a title after finishing the poem.
ReplyDelete