The Performance and Interrogation of 'Generic Lives' and Gendered Selves in the Confessional Poetry of John Berryman and Anne Sexton

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• 1 Introduction
• 2 Theoretical Main Part
• 2.1 Gender Theory
• 2.2 Confessional Poetry
• 2.3 The Poet and the Woman-Poet
• 2.4 On America's Society, Gender Roles and Poetry in the 1950s and 60s
• 2.5 Biographies
• 2.5.1 John Berryman
• 2.5.2 Anne Sexton
• 3 Analytical Main Part
• 3.1 Gendered Selves in the poetry of John Berryman
• 3.2 Gendered Selves in the poetry of Anne Sexton
• 3.3 Summary
• 4 Conclusion
• 5 Works Cited

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This thesis examines the interrogation and performance of 'generic lives' and gendered selves in the poetry of John Berryman and Anne Sexton. The central aim is to explore the influence of social norms on the lyrical 'I's' thinking and actions, specifically concerning the presence of gender conventions in poems featuring female personas. To achieve this, the study will investigate the relationship between social restrictions and the isolated situation of the poem.

• Gender theory and the construction of femininity as "the other" in the works of Simone de Beauvoir and Judith Butler.
• The genre of confessional poetry and its significance in the context of the 1950s and 60s.
• The impact of societal and political events on gender roles and the representation of gender in poetry during this period.
• The biographical experiences of John Berryman and Anne Sexton and their influence on their respective poetic expressions of gendered selves.
• The analysis of gender-specific themes such as identity, guilt/accusation, love, empathy, empowerment/oppression, and isolation in the poetry of both poets.

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• Introduction: This chapter introduces the topic of gender and gender roles within American society, highlighting the relevance of the topic both historically and in the contemporary context. It discusses the changing definitions of gender and the evolution of gender roles, particularly in the 1950s and 60s. The chapter also introduces the focus of the thesis: examining the poetry of John Berryman and Anne Sexton in relation to gendered selves and 'generic lives.'
• Theoretical Main Part: This section provides a theoretical framework for the study. It explores the concept of gender theory, focusing on the works of Simone de Beauvoir and Judith Butler. The chapter also discusses the genre of confessional poetry, highlighting its importance in the 1950s and 60s, along with the concepts of the (man-)poet and the woman-poet.
• Analytical Main Part: This section focuses on the analysis of John Berryman and Anne Sexton's poetry. It examines their work in relation to gender-specific aspects of identity, guilt/accusation, love, empathy, empowerment/oppression, and isolation.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

This thesis explores the intersection of gender, identity, and poetry, focusing on the confessional poetry of John Berryman and Anne Sexton in the 1950s and 60s. Key terms and concepts include gender theory, confessional poetry, "generic lives," gendered selves, social norms, the 'lyrical I', societal restrictions, female personas, identity, guilt/accusation, love, empathy, empowerment/oppression, and isolation.