In the poem Still I rise, it means that her enemy her oppressors may abuse her with their words but she won’t give up anyway. Shooting words mean to use language for wrong purpose.

The whole body and mind of a woman becomes an extended symbol in the poem. Her arms are a symbol for her path to her dreams. Her lips become symbol of the words and expression. Dancing feet become symbol of joy.

The message of phenomenal woman is to celebrates one’s own individual standard. It is to break out from the model of life created by the other gender or any oppressive society for a woman. The celebration of one’s inner strength and qualities instead of superficial ones is the primary message.

Feminism is the belief that women must enjoy the same rights and freedom as men. In this poem, Phenomenal Women, Maya Angelou establishes her own standard of beauty, power and social position. She begins describing her own sexuality and discredits the fashion model standard in the very beginning as it is an establishment of male world.

The speaker here is full of confidence and her spirit is resilient to everything which weakens a woman. The poet has an organic pride. It is totally in disregard of male world and doesn’t seek its validity at all. The poem reconstructs the whole image of a female and that is what feminism aims at.

Feminity- the celebration of one’s womanliness is the major occupation of the poet in this poem.

Power of a woman – The poet here describes her own autobiographical triumphs and power of attraction. She shows how she can subjugate anything including patriarchy under the allure of her personality.
Individualism- The poem’s major concern is the inclusive individualism. The poet is extremely individualistic. She doesn’t belong to any herd.

Breaking stereotypes- The poem breaks stereotypical perception of Black people especially black women.