Sappho's Feminist Influence

A detailed Summary of Sappho's Feminist Influence

It is when Sappho reconstructed the intimate relationship between man and woman by placing the female figure in more powerful position that she displayed what appeared to be a slight form of feminism. The infamous femme fatale Helen of Troy is used to exemplify the strength of woman's capability.

the flower of the world's manhood-

Warped to his will, forgetting (Sappho 41).

Helen had the will to choose among the finest of men. She chose one whose strength surpassed many. Despite his intensity she was able to "warp his will" and purport the destruction of an entire nation. She indeed is a far cry from the subservient woman who exists only as an object of desire for the male element. An abundance of feminism, the belief in the social, political, and economic equality of the sexes, shines through in the poetry of both Gwendolyn Brooks and Bernadette Mayer who seem to carry on the subtle tradition of feminism in the lyricism of Sappho in a much larger way. They do battle with the traditional love sonnet, which places the woman in a role opposite to the one favored by Sappho.

Brooks, Gwendolyn. Selected Poems. New York: Harper & Row Publishers, 1944.

Mayer then proceeds to release her mind in her newfound creation of the sonnet in a rather tumultuous way. Her rebellious nature, as well as her habit of avoiding euphemism, has sparked a multitude of opinions. For example, critic Peter Baker says, "The revelation of these sonnets...is the way that the emotional setting is filtered through a language that is both tough and accurate, the language that people actually speak and, in speaking, use to create the quotidian realities" (Baker 171). Like Brooks, Mayer is introducing the public to an emotional woman doused with reality. In the appropriately titled poem Sonnet, she exudes angry fervor as she chooses to rid herself of a love partner out of frustration.

In her poem the rites for Cousin Vit, Brooks introduces the reader to a woman "whose name signifies life" and the rites that are meant to enfold her permanently. Interestingly, the poem begins mid-action, an act which serves a purpose. Brooks is not concerned here with why women are voiceless creatures, which would lead her to start at the very beginning in order to define its origins. Rather, it seems that the poet is more aptly concerned with the end of the ridiculous ongoing treatment of women in the traditional love sonnet.

And wear the brave stockings of night-black lace

And I'd like to be a bad woman, too.

But I say it's fine. Honest, I do.

Brooks, Gwendolyn. "a song in the front yard." The American Tradition in Literature.

Mayer does command a certain attention similar to the one craved by Brooks's heroic character in a song in the front yard. However, she does not stop with daydreaming about being a "bad" woman. Mayer herself exemplifies Brooks' woman who eagerly broke free from the traditional love sonnet. She carries on the legacy of Brooks by taking the heroism in Brooks's sonnets and acting them out in her own.

Brooks included in her collection many other poems to exhibit the celebration of feminism. One in particular discusses a woman's right to shape her own destiny, even despite the fact that she may choose a dreadful path. In the poem a song in the front yard, readers meet a restless young woman who is enticed by the rougher side of life. She seems discontent with the lifestyle in which she is admired, like a rose, for her outward appearance. Brooks begins the passage with:

Although feminism is not so old a tradition, the revelation of the unfaltering woman in poetry is not. Despite Sappho's efforts to disclaim the idea of a subservient woman, the traditional love sonnet was born and endured. Both Brooks and Mayer chose to follow in the footsteps of Sappho. In resembling fashions, they made use of the traditional sonnet it

Some common words found in the essay are:
Vit Brooks, Brooks Mayer, Honest I'd, Hubbard Brooks, Heidegger Kierkegaard, Helen Troy, Peter Baker, , Bernadette Mayer, Despite Sappho's, traditional love, love sonnet, traditional love sonnet, traditional sonnet, front yard, female voice, song front, song front yard, woman traditional love, sonnet mayer, garter belts, cousin vit, brooks mayer,

Approximate Word count = 1875
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English