There has always been a strong connection between the disabled, the depressed, criminals and the sexually differently oriented in literature. It would therefore be interesting to prove that the disability poem by Sheila Black, "What You Mourn", and the poem dealing with madness by Anne Sexton, "Her Kind", consult Confessionalism.
It will also be considered which stylistic devices are used to express parts of their purportedly real life. A comparison will try to establish whether differences between the two poems regarding Confessionalism exist and how they could be explained.
The term "disability" has only existed, since the definition of the "norm" has been established. This definition became popular in 1855, containing the idea of a perfect, godlike and ideal body, which fits the physical average. With the popularization of statistics in the 1830s, examinations of the human body increased, assuming that a body is only norma, if it does not fall victim to the extremes of a bell curve.
Since such a definition of the norm has arisen, the concept of the disabled body has been created. All extremes were perceived as disadvantages and rejected, and therefore, disabled people, alcoholics, depressed or homosexuals were considered abnormal. Since all of them showed in some way an abnormality, they were simply regarded as "the disease of the nation".
This was mainly the idea of the so called "eugenics", a theoretical concept which aims to reduce negative hereditary factors.
Therefore, for a very long time, disability was treated as a taboo subject. Although it was mentioned in novels, in the end, the disability would always be gotten rid of because it implied imperfection. This changed through the emergence of the so called Confessionalism.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
1.1 Confessionalism
2. A Comparison of Confessionalism in Poetry
2.1 in “What You Mourn” by Sheila Black
2.2 in “Her Kind” by Anne Sexton
3. Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
This paper explores the intersection of the confessional literary mode with contemporary disability poetry and the poetry of madness. It investigates how poets Sheila Black and Anne Sexton utilize the stylistic devices and autobiographical nature of Confessionalism to challenge societal taboos regarding the body, mental illness, and perceived "normalcy."
- The historical emergence and defining characteristics of the Confessionalism movement.
- The sociopolitical construction of disability and mental illness as taboos.
- A comparative analysis of Sheila Black's "What You Mourn" and Anne Sexton's "Her Kind."
- The use of the "autobiographical I" and narrative intimacy in modern poetry.
- The tension between traditional poetic form and the confessional need for raw, informal expression.
Excerpt from the Book
2.1 in “What You Mourn” by Sheila Black
The Poem “What You Mourn” by Sheila Black can be classified as a confessional poem because of several characteristics found in the interaction between content and form. The poem shows many parallels with Black’s life from youth to adulthood, which is marked by certain complications and troubles due to her disability. She lives with XHL, a disease which is known as X-linked hypophosphatemia. It is noticeable in her bowed legs and short stature.
Firstly, the topic of the poem which deals with disability and the body is still a sort of taboo and reflects a lot of intimacy, which is typical for Confessionalism. Another characteristic of Confessionalism is the first person-narrator using the personal pronoun I. The fact, that the I is used repetitiously, as in line 6-7: “I would arch back and wonder / about that body I had before I was changed”, is very conspicuous. It gives the impression of wanting to emphasize the personal relation Sheila Black has with this story, her own life story in fact. Nevertheless, it is important not to read the poem as the complete truth. In Beauty Is a Verb Sheila Black points out that she is attracted “to the unruly and confrontational elements of the confessional (…) that makes the audience continually question whether the speaker is to be trusted or not.”
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter provides the foundational context for the study, explaining the social construction of "normality" and the historical background of Confessionalism as a literary genre.
1.1 Confessionalism: This section defines the core elements of the movement, such as the use of the personal pronoun "I," the breaking of cultural taboos, and the strategic mixture of truth and fiction.
2. A Comparison of Confessionalism in Poetry: This chapter acts as the primary analytical section, evaluating the practical application of confessional techniques within the two selected poems.
2.1 in “What You Mourn” by Sheila Black: This analysis focuses on how Black addresses physical disability, social stigma, and the use of free verse to create intimacy and convey personal rage.
2.2 in “Her Kind” by Anne Sexton: This section examines Sexton’s treatment of mental illness, her use of metaphors for disability, and how she navigates formal rhyme schemes to confess personal experiences.
3. Conclusion: The chapter synthesizes the findings, noting that while the two poets differ in their approach to form and tone, both utilize Confessionalism as a necessary tool to address societal rejection and personal identity.
Keywords
Confessionalism, Disability Poetry, Poetry of Madness, Sheila Black, Anne Sexton, Autobiographical I, Social Normalcy, Taboo, Free Verse, Mental Illness, Physical Disability, Intimacy, Narrative, Literary Criticism, Gender Roles
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research paper?
The paper examines how the genre of Confessionalism is utilized in contemporary poetry to address themes of disability and mental illness.
What are the central thematic areas covered in the work?
The study covers the social construction of normality, the history of Confessional poetry, gender-related taboos, and the representation of the "body" in literature.
What is the main research question or goal?
The goal is to determine how Sheila Black and Anne Sexton employ confessional stylistic devices to express their personal realities and whether there are significant differences in their approaches to these themes.
Which scientific or analytical method is applied?
The author performs a comparative literary analysis, examining form, meter, rhyme, tone, and the "autobiographical I" within the context of specific poems.
What topics are discussed in the main body of the work?
The main body details the historical emergence of Confessionalism, followed by specific close readings of "What You Mourn" and "Her Kind" to evaluate their confessional nature.
Which keywords best describe this publication?
Key terms include Confessionalism, Disability Poetry, Social Normalcy, Autobiographical I, and Literary Taboos.
How does Sheila Black's use of form differ from the typical Confessional style?
Black diverges from traditional rules by almost completely abandoning rhyme and meter, which the author argues increases the sense of informal intimacy between the speaker and the reader.
What role does the "witch" metaphor play in Anne Sexton's poetry?
The metaphor of the "witch" represents the socially constructed "imperfect woman," allowing Sexton to articulate her defiance of societal expectations regarding the role of women and mothers.
Why is the "autobiographical I" considered crucial to these poems?
It creates a direct, intimate link between the poet and the reader, making the confession feel more authentic while simultaneously allowing the poet to blur the lines between objective truth and subjective fiction.
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- Sarah Antonia Gallegos García (Autor:in), 2014, Confessionalism in Disability Poetry and Poetry of Madness, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/499089
