THE COMPLETE POETRY RESOURCE
CONTENTS
UNSEEN POEMS
“PHENOMENAL WOMAN”
FOREWORD
Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
— MAYA ANGELOU (1928 –)
1
I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size
But when I start to tell them,
INTRODUCTION
TO POETRY
They think I’m telling lies.
I say,
5
It’s in the reach of my arms,
The span of my hips,
THE
RENAISSANCE
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I’m a woman
10
Phenomenally.
THE
ROMANTICS
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.
I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
15
THE
VICTORIANS
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
MODERNISM
A hive of honey bees.
20
I say,
It’s the fire in my eyes,
POSTMODERNISM
And the flash of my teeth,
the swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
25
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
SOUTH
AFRICAN
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.
Men themselves have wondered
30
UNSEEN
POETRY
what they see in me.
They try so much
But they can’t touch
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
198
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them,
35
They say they still can’t see.
P H OTO C O P Y I N G O F T H I S R E S O U R C E I S I N C O N T R AV E N T I O N O F T H E C O P Y R I G H T A C T ( N O. 9 8 1 9 7 8 )
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I say,
CONTENTS
It’s in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
40
The ride of my breasts,
FOREWORD
The grace of my style.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
INTRODUCTION
TO POETRY
45
That’s me.
Now you understand
just why my head’s not bowed.
I don’t shout or jump about
THE
RENAISSANCE
Or have to talk real loud.
50
When you see me passing,
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
THE
ROMANTICS
It’s in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
55
the palm of my hand,
the need for my care.
THE
VICTORIANS
‘Cause I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
60
(3)
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SOUTH
AFRICAN
Describe, in your own words, the intentions of the poet.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
1.
UNSEEN
POETRY
QUESTIONS
POSTMODERNISM
MODERNISM
That’s me.
© THE ENGLISH EXPERIENCE 2013
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THE COMPLETE POETRY RESOURCE
CONTENTS
FOREWORD
INTRODUCTION
TO POETRY
THE
RENAISSANCE
THE
ROMANTICS
THE
VICTORIANS
MODERNISM
POSTMODERNISM
2.
Describe the rhyme scheme and comment on how it serves to emphasise the main themes of the poem. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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3.
How would you describe the rhythm of this poem?
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4.
What is the effect of the repetition of the words ‘I say’ in each stanza? _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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5.
Explain how Angelou makes use of the image of a feminine body in such a way that subverts the reader’s
expectations. (2)
(1)
(3)
(2)
SOUTH
AFRICAN
UNSEEN
POETRY
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
200
P H OTO C O P Y I N G O F T H I S R E S O U R C E I S I N C O N T R AV E N T I O N O F T H E C O P Y R I G H T A C T ( N O. 9 8 1 9 7 8 )
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P R E S C R I B E D P O E M S A N D L E A R N I N G M AT E R I A L S F O R G R A D E 1 2
Consider the following image, and use it as a means of discussing Angelou’s engagement with body issues and
(4)
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[15]
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
UNSEEN
POETRY
THE
VICTORIANS
MODERNISM
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POSTMODERNISM
SOUTH
AFRICAN
© Andre Adams (Dreamstime)
THE
ROMANTICS
THE
RENAISSANCE
INTRODUCTION
TO POETRY
FOREWORD
contemporary ideas of beauty. CONTENTS
6.
© THE ENGLISH EXPERIENCE 2013
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