“Homage to My Hips” by Lucille Clifton: A Critical Analysis

Introduction: “Homage to My Hips” by Lucille Clifton

“Homage to My Hips” by Lucille Clifton, first published in 1980 in the collection Two-Headed Woman, is a celebration of the female body, particularly the hips, which are often seen as a symbol of sexuality and fertility. Clifton’s poem challenges traditional notions of beauty and desirability by embracing the natural curves and contours of the female form. The poem is characterized by its simple yet powerful language, its use of free verse, and its confident, assertive tone. “Homage to My Hips” is a feminist anthem that encourages women to love and accept their bodies, regardless of societal expectations.

Text: “Homage to My Hips” by Lucille Clifton

Annotations: “Homage to My Hips” by Lucille Clifton

Line	Annotation
these hips are big hips	Introduces the subject of the poem, the speaker’s hips, and establishes their size and presence.
they need space to	Emphasizes the hips’ need for freedom and movement.
move around in.	Reinforces the idea of the hips as active and dynamic.
they don’t fit into little	Begins to challenge societal constraints and expectations of the female body.
petty places. these hips	Further emphasizes the hips’ refusal to be confined or limited.
are free hips.	Declares the hips’ autonomy and liberation.
they don’t like to be held back.	Asserts the hips’ resistance to control or restriction.
these hips have never been enslaved,	Connects the hips’ freedom to a history of resistance and liberation.
they go where they want to go	Celebrates the hips’ agency and ability to move freely.
they do what they want to do.	Reaffirms the hips’ autonomy and power.
these hips are mighty hips.	Elevates the hips to a position of strength and power.
these hips are magic hips.	Attributed a supernatural quality to the hips, suggesting their transformative and alluring potential.
i have known them	Introduces the speaker’s personal experience and knowledge of the hips’ power.
to put a spell on a man and	Associates the hips with feminine allure and the ability to captivate and control.
spin him like a top!	Exaggerates the hips’ power and ability to manipulate and control.

Literary And Poetic Devices: “Homage to My Hips” by Lucille Clifton

Device	Example	Explanation	Function
Anaphora	“they don’t”	Repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses.	Adds emphasis and reinforces the message of freedom and independence.
Assonance	“these hips”	Repetition of vowel sounds within words (“e” in “these” and “hips”).	Creates internal rhyme and contributes to the musical quality of the poem.
Hyperbole	“these hips are magic hips”	Exaggerated statement for effect.	Emphasizes the extraordinary nature of the hips, highlighting their power and uniqueness.
Imagery	“spin him like a top”	Descriptive language that creates visual representation.	Helps the reader visualize the power and effect of the hips.
Metaphor	“hips are magic”	Comparison between hips and magic without using “like” or “as.”	Conveys the extraordinary power and allure of the hips.
Personification	“hips have never been enslaved”	Attributing human qualities to non-human entities.	Emphasizes the freedom and independence of the hips as if they possess their own will.
Repetition	“these hips”	Repeating words or phrases for emphasis.	Reinforces the importance and centrality of the hips in the poem.
Symbolism	“hips”	Use of symbols to signify ideas and qualities.	Represents freedom, power, and feminine strength.
Tone	Confident and assertive	The attitude of the poet towards the subject.	Conveys self-assurance and pride in the description of the hips.
Colloquialism	“they go where they want to go”	Use of informal language or slang.	Creates a conversational tone, making the poem more relatable and authentic.
Parallelism	“they go where they want to go / they do what they want to do”	Similar structure in a pair or series of related words, phrases, or clauses.	Enhances rhythm and balance, emphasizing the autonomy of the hips.
Irony	“hips have never been enslaved”	A contrast between expectation and reality.	Highlights the strength and resilience of the hips despite historical oppression.
Enjambment	“they need space to / move around in”	The continuation of a sentence without a pause beyond the end of a line.	Creates a sense of movement and fluidity, reflecting the freedom of the hips.
Internal Rhyme	“known them / to put a spell on a man”	Rhyme within a line of poetry.	Adds musicality and enhances the flow of the poem.
Juxtaposition	“free hips” vs. “enslaved”	Placing two concepts, characters, ideas, or places near or next to each other for contrast.	Highlights the contrast between freedom and oppression.
Simile	“spin him like a top”	Comparison using “like” or “as.”	Emphasizes the controlling power of the hips over men.
Hyperbaton	“i have known them to put a spell on a man”	An inversion of the normal order of words.	Creates emphasis and draws attention to the action of the hips.
Consonance	“spell on a man and spin him like a top”	Repetition of consonant sounds within words.	Enhances the musicality and rhythm of the poem.
Apostrophe	Direct address to the hips	Speaking directly to an absent or imaginary person or a personified abstraction.	Engages the reader and creates a sense of intimacy and immediacy.

Themes: “Homage to My Hips” by Lucille Clifton

1. Body Positivity and Self-Acceptance: Clifton challenges conventional beauty standards by celebrating her “big hips.” She rejects the idea that women’s bodies should conform to narrow ideals, instead embracing her natural curves and the space they occupy. This theme is evident in lines like “they need space to move around in” and “they don’t fit into little petty places.” The poem encourages women to love and accept their bodies, regardless of societal pressures to conform.
2. Female Empowerment and Liberation: The poem is a powerful declaration of female autonomy and agency. Clifton’s hips are not passive objects but active subjects, “free hips” that “go where they want to go” and “do what they want to do.” This theme is reinforced by the line “these hips have never been enslaved,” suggesting a history of resistance and a refusal to be controlled. The poem empowers women to embrace their desires and express their sexuality freely.
3. The Power of Female Sexuality: Clifton’s hips are not just symbols of freedom but also of seduction and power. She describes them as “magic hips” that can “put a spell on a man and spin him like a top!” This highlights the allure and influence of female sexuality, challenging the idea that women are passive objects of male desire. The poem celebrates the power of women to attract and captivate, inverting traditional gender roles.
4. Reclaiming Black Female Identity: While not explicitly stated, the poem can be read as a celebration of Black female identity and beauty. By embracing her “big hips,” Clifton challenges the Eurocentric beauty standards that have historically marginalized and objectified Black women’s bodies. The poem can be seen as a reclamation of Black female sexuality and a celebration of its unique power and beauty. This theme is suggested by the poem’s confident tone and the speaker’s refusal to conform to external expectations.

Literary Theories and “Homage to My Hips” by Lucille Clifton

Literary Theory	Application to “Homage to My Hips”	References from the Poem	Commentary and Critique
Feminist Theory	The poem embodies feminist ideals by celebrating female autonomy, challenging societal expectations, and reclaiming the female body as a source of power and beauty. It rejects patriarchal norms that seek to control and confine women’s bodies and sexuality.	“these hips are free hips…they go where they want to go…they do what they want to do.”	While empowering, the focus on the hips as a source of power may inadvertently reinforce the idea that women’s value is tied to their physical attributes and sexuality.
Black Feminist Theory	The poem can be interpreted as a celebration of Black female identity and beauty, challenging Eurocentric beauty standards and reclaiming Black female sexuality. It speaks to the unique experiences of Black women and their historical struggle for self-determination.	Implicitly through the speaker’s confident tone and refusal to conform to external expectations, as well as the celebration of “big hips,” a feature often associated with Black women’s bodies.	The poem empowers Black women but does not explicitly address the complexities of race and gender intersectionality, potentially limiting its full impact within the framework of Black feminist thought.
Reader-Response Theory	The poem invites diverse interpretations based on individual readers’ experiences and perspectives. Readers may connect with the themes of body positivity, female empowerment, or Black female identity in different ways, depending on their personal backgrounds and beliefs.	Open-ended lines like “these hips are magic hips” allow for multiple readings and interpretations based on individual experiences and cultural contexts.	While acknowledging reader agency, the theory neglects the author’s intended meaning and the socio-historical context in which the poem was written, potentially leading to misinterpretations.

Critical Questions about “Homage to My Hips” by Lucille Clifton

• How does Clifton’s use of language and imagery contribute to the poem’s overall message of empowerment and self-acceptance?
• The poem’s simple yet powerful language, combined with vivid imagery like “big hips,” “free hips,” and “magic hips,” creates a sense of pride and confidence. Clifton’s repetition of “these hips” reinforces the central focus on the body and its inherent power. The use of active verbs like “move,” “go,” and “do” further emphasizes the hips’ agency and autonomy. This linguistic and stylistic choice enhances the poem’s message of self-love and body positivity.
• In what ways does the poem challenge or subvert traditional notions of female beauty and desirability?
• By celebrating her “big hips,” Clifton directly challenges the societal ideal of a slim, petite female figure. She rejects the notion that women’s bodies should be confined or controlled, instead embracing the natural curves and contours of her own body. The poem’s assertive tone and the declaration that her hips are “free” and “mighty” further subvert traditional expectations of female passivity and deference.
• How does the poem’s historical context, particularly the Civil Rights Movement and the rise of feminism, inform its themes of liberation and empowerment?
• Written during a time of social and political upheaval, the poem resonates with the broader struggles for freedom and equality. The line “these hips have never been enslaved” can be interpreted as a reference to the history of slavery and the ongoing fight for racial justice. The poem’s celebration of female autonomy and sexuality aligns with the feminist movement’s push for women’s liberation.
• To what extent can the poem be read as a celebration of Black female identity and beauty?
• While not explicitly stated, the poem’s embrace of “big hips” can be seen as a challenge to Eurocentric beauty standards that have historically marginalized and objectified Black women’s bodies. The poem’s confident tone and the speaker’s refusal to conform to external expectations can be interpreted as a celebration of Black female self-love and a reclamation of Black female sexuality as powerful and beautiful. However, the poem’s lack of explicit reference to race leaves room for diverse interpretations and discussions about its implications for Black female identity.

Topics, Questions, and Thesis Statements about “Homage to My Hips” by Lucille Clifton

Topic	Question	Thesis Statement
Empowerment and Body Positivity	How does “Homage to My Hips” celebrate body positivity and empowerment?	In “Homage to My Hips,” Lucille Clifton celebrates body positivity and empowerment by portraying hips as symbols of strength and independence.
Feminine Identity and Freedom	What role do the hips play in expressing feminine identity and freedom in the poem?	The poem “Homage to My Hips” by Lucille Clifton uses the metaphor of hips to explore themes of feminine identity and freedom, highlighting the autonomy and power of women’s bodies.
Resistance to Oppression	How does Clifton’s poem address the theme of resistance to oppression?	“Homage to My Hips” by Lucille Clifton addresses the theme of resistance to oppression through the depiction of the hips as free, unbound, and resilient against historical and societal constraints.
Use of Literary Devices	What literary devices does Lucille Clifton employ to convey her message in “Homage to My Hips”?	In “Homage to My Hips,” Lucille Clifton employs various literary devices, including metaphor, personification, and repetition, to convey a powerful message of self-acceptance and liberation.

Literary Works Similar to “Homage to My Hips” by Lucille Clifton

1. “Phenomenal Woman” by Maya Angelou: This poem celebrates the unique strength and allure of women, emphasizing self-confidence and inner beauty.
2. “Still I Rise” by Maya Angelou: In this powerful poem, Angelou addresses themes of resilience and defiance in the face of oppression and adversity.
3. “Ain’t I a Woman?” by Sojourner Truth: This famous speech highlights the intersection of race and gender, asserting the strength and rights of Black women.
4. “Wild Geese” by Mary Oliver: Oliver’s poem encourages self-acceptance and embracing one’s place in the natural world, echoing themes of freedom and self-realization.
5. “You Bring Out the Mexican in Me” by Sandra Cisneros: This poem explores cultural identity and passion, celebrating the richness of heritage and personal strength.

Suggested Readings: “Homage to My Hips” by Lucille Clifton

Representative Quotations of “Homage to My Hips” by Lucille Clifton

Quotation	Context	Theoretical Perspective
“these hips are big hips”	This opening line immediately establishes the poem’s focus on the speaker’s body and challenges societal norms surrounding body image.	Feminist Theory: This challenges the patriarchal standards of beauty and celebrates the natural female form.
“they need space to move around in”	This line emphasizes the hips’ agency and resistance to confinement, both physically and metaphorically.	Reader-Response Theory: Readers may interpret this as a call for personal freedom and autonomy in their own lives.
“they don’t fit into little petty places”	This further reinforces the rejection of societal constraints and expectations placed on women’s bodies.	Black Feminist Theory: This line can be interpreted as a rejection of Eurocentric beauty standards that often marginalize Black women.
“these hips have never been enslaved”	This line connects the poem to a broader history of oppression and resistance, suggesting that the speaker’s body is a site of liberation.	Critical Race Theory: This line highlights the historical context of slavery and its ongoing impact on Black women’s self-perception.
“i have known them to put a spell on a man”	This line asserts the power and allure of the speaker’s body, suggesting that it can captivate and control.	Gender Studies: This line can be read as a reclamation of female sexuality and a challenge to traditional gender roles.