READER'S RESPONSE THEORY

Phenomenal Woman - Maya Angelou

(Poem)

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.

I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size   

But when I start to tell them,

They think I’m telling lies.

I say,

It’s in the reach of my arms,

The span of my hips,   

The stride of my step,   

The curl of my lips.   

I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,   

That’s me.

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,

A hive of honey bees.   

I say,

It’s the fire in my eyes,   

And the flash of my teeth,   

The swing in my waist,   

And the joy in my feet.   

I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That’s me.

Men themselves have wondered   

What they see in me.

They try so much

But they can’t touch

My inner mystery.

When I try to show them,   

They say they still can’t see.   

I say,

It’s in the arch of my back,   

The sun of my smile,

The ride of my breasts,

The grace of my style.

I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That’s me.

Now you understand

Just why my head’s not bowed.   

I don’t shout or jump about

Or have to talk real loud.   

When you see me passing,

It ought to make you proud.

I say,

It’s in the click of my heels,   

The bend of my hair,   

the palm of my hand,   

The need for my care.   

’Cause I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That’s me.

Analysis:

As what Reader's Response explains, this theory focuses on the reader's reaction to a text. It also recognizes the reader as an active agent who imparts "real existence" to the work and completes its meaning through interpretation. The poem is all about a woman who is phenomenal and is envied by other woman. Even though she explains and tell the truth, the people just don't seem to believe her and continue to curse her that she's doing something wrong. She's very proud of what she have and is very happy and contented with it. 

After reading the poem, a reader could easily say that it was kind of amazing and astonishing. Because you could feel what the author is trying to convey to you through the delivery of her text. You could also smoothly perceived the message of the poem especially if your with the same condition as her. The reader may or may not agree with it but is admitted that inside of them they could feel that there is a commerce with the author's piece.