Class
Article
College
College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Department
English Department
Faculty Mentor
Paul Crumbley
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Abstract
Lesbian. Woman. Feminist. These are just a few of the labels that others tried to impose on May Swenson throughout her life. However, Swenson revolted against the bonds that others tried to place on her. She did not want to be secured to labels, conform to groups, or be shackled to restrictive societies. Rather, she found her solace in her own soul, and her peace through her individual perspective. Swenson lived her life according to her standards, her beliefs, her doctrine, her conscience, and through her poetry she encouraged others to do the same. One of Swenson’s most anthologized poems, 'The Centaur,'' provides evidence of this claim, as does her poem 'That One'. Essays by Sue Russell, Ann Stafford, Paul Crumbley, and a candid interview with Karla Hammond reaffirm this declaration. Through these various sources we will discover how Swenson's blatant disregard for labels allowed her to live more freely in her lifetime, and how her writing has given others the courage to follow suit for generations since. Presentation Time: Thursday, 2-3 p.m.Zoom link: https://usu-edu.zoom.us/j/82911860600?pwd=ZTJlOHlCbmpnQXJodGk1N3Yrb2Qwdz09
Location
Logan, UT
Start Date
4-11-2021 12:00 AM
Included in
May Swenson: The Rise of the Reluctant Feminist
Logan, UT
Lesbian. Woman. Feminist. These are just a few of the labels that others tried to impose on May Swenson throughout her life. However, Swenson revolted against the bonds that others tried to place on her. She did not want to be secured to labels, conform to groups, or be shackled to restrictive societies. Rather, she found her solace in her own soul, and her peace through her individual perspective. Swenson lived her life according to her standards, her beliefs, her doctrine, her conscience, and through her poetry she encouraged others to do the same. One of Swenson’s most anthologized poems, 'The Centaur,'' provides evidence of this claim, as does her poem 'That One'. Essays by Sue Russell, Ann Stafford, Paul Crumbley, and a candid interview with Karla Hammond reaffirm this declaration. Through these various sources we will discover how Swenson's blatant disregard for labels allowed her to live more freely in her lifetime, and how her writing has given others the courage to follow suit for generations since. Presentation Time: Thursday, 2-3 p.m.Zoom link: https://usu-edu.zoom.us/j/82911860600?pwd=ZTJlOHlCbmpnQXJodGk1N3Yrb2Qwdz09