Sexuality and gender have no place in the modern world, but while reading the work of Diane Seuss and Emily Dickinson, it is clear sexuality and gender are a part of every aspect of life, similar to a universal truth that has no chance of changing any time soon. Poetry has the ability to tell a story through multiple verses, lines, or stanzas. This paper will focus on the works of Seuss and Dickinson, while discussing the formal elements of both poems.
The first poem described is “Still Life with Self-Portrait” by Diane Seuss discusses the painting by Cornelius Norbertus Gijsbrechts. The painting was completed during the renaissance period, which leads Seuss to wonder if Cornelius was a bad man or not, because she felt all men were bad at that time. This does not seem like a difficult viewpoint to get to, based on history and the treatment of women. She even considers if women were bad also, because throughout history women have been depicted as evil starting as far back as the biblical story of Adam and Eve.
The evolution of what is considered bad continues to evolve, even though in the modern world it seems the characteristics of men or being a male have been translated as good. At the same time, when these same characteristics are applied to women, they no longer have the same positive connotation, because it goes against the social norms associated with women or being a female. Seuss stated “Men have existed within the confines of my own badness. I'm bad enough to admit. I liked it when men existed within my badness rather than the other way around”. The real issue is who decides what is bad, or not. This is the true issue related to gender and sexuality, because it is a social construct built from the beliefs of a society, which can be affiliated with religious beliefs, or simple social norms. Women in the modern world are more comfortable living within the realm of bad, because it is easier to accept being bad, rather than trying to change to fit into a preconceived idea of what is good.
Seuss describes the painting by Cornelius Norbertus Gijsbrechts, describing the details of the painting including the list of items located on the painted shelf including a tobacco jar, a pipe, brushes, and two pegs. This simple list of items resonates with the idea of what it means to be male, because in many societies it is socially unacceptable for any people to smoke, while others find it acceptable to men only. Seuss goes further by describing the self-portrait of Cornelius Norbertus Gijsbrechts, which she believes his facial expression can mean he is annoyed, while at the same time, he could be lost in deep thought. What is interesting, is the idea many men may look like they are either in deep though or annoyed, just by the expression on their faces, because women have a larger range of emotions which would show up in different expressions on their faces.
This brings up the idea of how different men and women really are. Seuss also discusses a comment made by an ex-lover who stated “You don't know anything about me,". This is so hurtful toward women, because they prefer to talk and share personal experiences, regardless if the person they are speaking with is a man or a woman. This comes down to the differences between the way men and women communicate. Men prefer to solve problems, while women prefer to talk for the sake of someone listening to them.
This poem was written in lines without any rhyming to be noticed. Seuss uses the punctuation in her poem to get her readers to stress certain lines or read with more intensity. She asks questions throughout the poem as if she is checking on her own perceptions and viewpoints on gender. Seuss uses stanzas to separate her individual thoughts which all come back to the variances between the genders.
The second poem is “I Measure Every Grief I Meet” by Emily Dickinson, which was originally written in 1851. This poem clearly depicts the battle faced by Dickinson throughout her life, not only as a poet and a writer, but as a woman in general. “I measure every Grief I meet with narrow, probing, eyes – I wonder if It weighs like Mine – Or has an Easier size”. This embodies the disappointment she felt from those who did not understand why she did not fit into the description of the woman from her time period.
This poem is set up in short non-rhyming stanzas, which raise a question in a manner, Dickinson was questioning the status quo of women in her time. It is simple to hear the pain in her words, as if she does not understand why she is the only one to feel the way she does. She raises the question, “I wonder if when Years have piled – some thousands – on the harm – that hurt them early – such a lapse, could give them any Balm”. It can be interpreted she is asking is the modern women will still be dealing with the same issues, and wonders if the time passing will be enough to correct the social wrongs associated with gender and sexuality in her time.
“There’s Grief of Want – and grief of Cold –A sort they call “Despair” – There’s Banishment from native Eyes –In sight of Native Air”. The use of punctuation and capitalization make it clear the words she is stressing or she wants to resonate with her readers long after they have finished the poem. The grief she is discussing not only her own, but the grief of those around her, who do not agree with the choices she made during her life. At the same time, this stanza also makes it clear why she ended up living the majority of her life unknown, yet in solitude, because those who knew her were never afraid to speak their concerns about her life.
Poetry has been type casted as a female genre, but in the past, even poetry was meant to be a male trade. It is tough to know for sure if the dispute with female writers was associated with them learning, or feeling free enough to share their thoughts, beliefs, and values, which can only be found within their deepest desires. Even William Shakespeare made it clear women were not permitted to write or act in any of his plays, but it did not stop him from taking the time to depict a woman in the most natural way he felt possible.
In conclusion, both Seuss and Dickinson discuss the same truth through their poetry, which is the differences between genders, which have not changed throughout history. It is sad to realize, there are still parts of the world where women are still considered second class citizens, and even in wealthy countries like the United States, women are still treated unfairly still dealing with old stereotypes and gender roles that have been in place since men were first labeled as the warriors or hunters, while the women were the gatherers and the care givers to children and elderly.
Both poets make it clear there are gender roles within societies, but these roles should be fluid to tailor to the individual, instead of forcing people into roles they are not comfortable filling or want to fill but it is taboo. J.R Moore described the pain he felt Dickinson was depicting in her worked as a great pain that can be compared to holding onto one’s breath until the body forces you to exhale. This is interesting, because the poetic writing allows the reader to feel the pain of the poet, regardless of the time that has passed since the poem was written. Poetry can help break down the gender roles and their expectations related to sexuality. Poets make it clear the pain is universal regardless of who they are, or the gender or sex they belong to.
Works Cited
Dickinson, E. Poets.org. 1851. 5 May 2016. <https://www.poets.org/poetsorg/poem/i-measure-every-grief-i-meet-561>.
Moore, J. R. "Emily Dickinson." Sewanee Review 117.4 (2009): 555.
Seuss, D. "Still Life with Self-Portrait." Iowa Review 45.3 (2015/2016): 165-166, 205.
