Feminism in Poetry Essay

All women have a place. That is barefoot, pregnant, and chained to the stove. Ideas like this are what started the feminist movement. Women desired to be judged by their worth as a person rather than their physical appearance or biologic factors. Women sought out social, economic, and political equality. Many women cherished to do their part to support the cause. Some of the most notable influences of the feminist movement were poets such as Sylvia Plath, Lucille Clifton and Anne sacristan. Through their poetrys, the truth was exposed. This encouraged women everywhere to demand justness and equality.Although there are many feminist themes poets can write near, Sylvia Plath writes of male domination. In her poetry, totally men appear to be the opposing force that keeps women from support a happy life. For example, in her poem Daddy, Plath exploits her father as being a fascist Nazi. Much like the Nazi, a fascist is know for being controlling with the power to oppress societies . Plath felt like a Jew amongst her Nazi father (40). However, towards the end of the poem, the representation of Plaths father and husband (or all men) go from Nazis to Vampires (72).It is clear that in this change of metaphor that Plath went from living the terrors of a male dominant society to living with the undead terrors of her memories. In the same way, Plaths poem Lady Lazarus conveys the message of male dominance. For example, the speaker states that I am your opus, I am your valuable it seems the muliebrity in the poem feels as if she is a self-command to men. However, in the final stanza she informs Herr God, Herr Lucifer to beware because Out of the ash I will rise and I eat men like air (79-84). The woman rises from the ashes like a phoenix, stronger and with a new sense of empowerment.It is as if men mean nothing and hold no more significance in her life. Plath uses these tendinous poems to make a clear position in the feminist movement against the social inequaliti es that women faced in their everyday lives. Next, the feminist movement was partially about being proud of being a woman. Lucille Clifton, a strong, blunt woman presents such feminist themes. Clifton asserts her feminist ideas in the form of a womans body. In her poem Homage to My Hips, a persons first impression competency be of a woman proud of her full figure. However, hips in this poem are a symbol of the strength and life that women possess.Therefore, when she says hips, she is speaking for all the women. For instance, Clifton points out that These hips are big hips they need space to move around in. They dont fit into petty places. These are free hips. (1-6). Undoubtedly, Clifton believes that women should have the same opportunities as men. If they are limited by their actions, there is no populate for them to thrive. In the same way, Clifton illustrates her feminist views through the womans body in her poem Wishes for Sons. The poem layed toward men, talks specifically about the biological factors of a woman.Clifton wishes men to experience menstruation, the cramps, hot flashes, and the blood clots. Clifton wishes them one week early and wearing a white skirt (5-6). Indeed, she wants men to experience the embarrassments and fears a woman faces. Equally important, she wishes for men to experience the arrogance of gynecologists, not unlike themselves (18). Truly, Cliftons brusqueness brings a sense of truth. In this poem, Clifton asks the age old question, wherefore are males considered the stronger ones? Women are strong and can endure great pain that a man would collapse under.Lucille Clifton is one of the most powerful feminist poets, because she is direct and not afraid to speak her mind. Through her poetry, she empowers women to stand up and be strong. Finally, Anne sexton is known more for her confessional poetry. However, her support of the feminist movement is evident passim her poems. In her poem Little Girl, My String Bean, My Lovely Wo man, Sexton praises and gives her advice to her daughter. Before the feminist movement, having a daughter was not celebrated. This poem is evidence that Sexton stepped out of the social norm and took one step closer to liberation of all women.Sexton writes of old wives speaking of womanhood. I remember that I comprehend nothing myself. I was alone. I waited like a target. (35-38) Again, this is referring to how no one ever talked about the challenges of womanhood. By making aware of these challenges, Sexton stood alone and took the criticisms of society. Furthermore, Sexton tells her daughter that her bones are lovely (52). Like many girls that are coming of age, they view themselves through the eyes of society or men. Sexton wanted to tell her before they enter (50).In the final stanza, Sexton tells her daughter that if she is sure of yourself she will strike fire, that new thing (95-98). To summarize, if her daughter stays accepted to herself as a woman, she will succeed in her new life. Because Sexton ties her intimate life in with her poetry, it makes the message of feminism even more meaningful. In conclusion, there are the many sides to feminism. Plath exposed a more daring approach. She wrote of the role of women in a male dominated society and the constant contend of woman versus man. On the other hand, Clifton has a more passive but straightforward approach.She spoke of matters that women then were too embarrassed to speak of. This is why she might have felt she had to be the voice for all women. Her bold poetry made her one of the most popular poets of the feminist movement. Lastly, because she was a confessional poet, Sextons intertwined her feminist views with her personal life. This method made her feminist message more meaningful and passionate. Many women, along with these popular poets set out to change the run of history. They strived for equality and fought hard to obtain it. It would be in vain if women today did not take advantage of t he rights that they struggled to achieve.