Fractured Self and Survival: Psycho-Feminist Perspectives on Memory and Duality in Postmodern Women’s Poetry

Abstract

Psycho-feminist theory influences postmodern women’s poetry and analyzes how gender and psyche interact. It shows how female identity is created, challenged, and expressed through language. This article uses Julia Kristeva’s (b. 1941-) psycho-feminist ideas to analyze Rita Dove’s, Audre Lorde’s, and Anne Waldman’s poems. It also investigates how poets show fractured identity, autonomy, and survival within oppression and cultural trauma. Within this background, this study explores how each poet deals with gender, desire, and self-doubt. Dove’s poetry show how personal goals can conflict with family or cultural expectations. They reveal a complicated memory that both disorganize and arrange identity. Lorde’s poems encourage self-love and strength. Her poetry challenge personal and external doubts to regain autonomy. Waldman fights patriarchy with her performance style. She exaggerates motivation, vulnerability, and creativity to rebuild self-esteem. Postmodern women poets use fragmented identity, memory, and duality as strategies for challenging oppression. The hypothesis suggests that each poet addresses these themes within different settings.