Feminist Voices in Verse: Reclaiming the Poetic Tradition

Abstract

This paper explores feminist poetry as a powerful literary tradition that reclaims women's voices, challenges patriarchal structures, and redefines poetic expression. Across historical periods, feminist poets have used verse to articulate themes of identity, autonomy, resistance, and empowerment, giving voice to women’s experiences that were historically marginalized or silenced. Beginning with early figures like “Elizabeth Barrett Browning and Emily Dickinson, poetry became a medium for questioning societal roles and expressing personal struggles. The confessional poetry of Sylvia Plath and Anne Sexton brought women’s trauma, mental health, and domestic realities to the forefront, exposing the intersections between the personal and political. With the rise of second-wave feminism, poets like Adrienne Rich and Maya Angelou embraced poetry as a tool for political resistance and collective empowerment, addressing gender, race, and sexuality through bold, innovative forms. Contemporary poets like Carol Ann Duffy, Warsan Shire, and Rupi Kaur have expanded feminist poetry into the digital age, creating accessible and intersectional spaces for diverse voices. Key themes such as the female body, domesticity, trauma, and resilience recur throughout feminist poetry, often conveyed through subversion of traditional forms, confessional narratives, and symbolic imagery. The paper argues that feminist poetry is not just a literary movement but an act of resistance, reclaiming narrative spaces and amplifying women’s lived realities. By examining the evolution of feminist poetry across eras, this study highlights its role in reshaping the poetic canon and fostering social change. Feminist poets have transformed poetry into a platform for liberation, identity reclamation, and cultural critique, ensuring that women’s voices remain central to the ongoing dialogue on equality and justice.