


In the case of “Lady Lazarus,” Plath could be illustrating the female artist’s struggle for autonomy in a male-dominated world. Many of Plath’s poems describe her lifelong struggles with depression, but can also be analyzed through a feminist lens. In it, she references two near-death experiences from her youth-one a swimming accident, the other an attempted suicide. “Lady Lazarus” was written by Sylvia Plath in the fall of 1962. You can read the full poem here, or enjoy the video below, featuring tennis champion Serena Williams reciting Angelou’s famous poem.

You may write me down in history With your bitter, twisted lies, You may trod me in the very dirt But still, like dust, I’ll rise.ĭoes my sassiness upset you? Why are you beset with gloom? ’Cause I walk like I’ve got oil wells Pumping in my living room. It champions womanhood, sexuality, and rising above oppression, as we can see in this excerpt: “Still I Rise” was written by the iconic Maya Angelou in 1978. These 14 poems offer reflections on the female experience and the strength of women. The feminist movements have been no exception, with talents such as Maya Angelou and Sylvia Plath using their pens to offer deep reflections and pose thought-provoking questions to their readers. This might be why it has been a favorite of social activists looking to speak out and inspire change. Poetry is perhaps one of the most personal forms of art, as it allows writers the ultimate freedom to express their creativity.
