Poetry
Most of the changes we see were about expression. Women before the 1920s had no voice. During the 1920s we see all those years kept in silence screaming at society. Many women poets used poetry to express themselves. Women did not hold back or sugar coat anything when they wrote poems. This was their freedom, they had confidence and did not care what society thought about their art. Famous topics were love, education, and the new woman.
A poem by Edna St. Vincent Millay called "Oh, oh, you will be sorry for that word!" was about both the new woman and education. This poem shows Edna’s bold voice against society. The new woman was interested in education and this poem shows Edna’s love for education. She defends her interest and rebukes the comments of a man, against her becoming educated.
Oh, oh, you will be sorry for that word!
Give me back my book and take my kiss instead.
Was it my enemy or my friend I heard,
``What a big book for such a little head!"
Come, I will show you now my newest hat,
And you may watch me purse my mouth and prink!
Oh, I shall love you still, and all of that.
I never again shall tell you what I think.
I shall be sweet and crafty, soft and sly;
You will not catch me reading any more:
I shall be called a wife to pattern by;
And some day when you knock and push the door,
Some sane day, not too bright and not too stormy,
I shall be gone, and you may whistle for me.
Oh, oh, you will be sorry for that word!
Give me back my book and take my kiss instead.
Was it my enemy or my friend I heard,
``What a big book for such a little head!"
Come, I will show you now my newest hat,
And you may watch me purse my mouth and prink!
Oh, I shall love you still, and all of that.
I never again shall tell you what I think.
I shall be sweet and crafty, soft and sly;
You will not catch me reading any more:
I shall be called a wife to pattern by;
And some day when you knock and push the door,
Some sane day, not too bright and not too stormy,
I shall be gone, and you may whistle for me.
Another poem called "Picture in the Smoke" by Dorothy Parker illustrates the new woman’s approach on love. She talks about her many partners. This was huge to have multiple lovers. This is the middle ground that emerged during the 1920s between marriage and prostitution. Women were now having sex outside of wedlock. Dorothy also demonstrates the new bold attitude of women. She speaks her mind and knows what she wants. The poetry during the 1920s was a mirror of the transformation taken place in women.
Oh, gallant was the first love, and glittering and fine;
The second love was water, in a clear white cup;
The third love was his, and the fourth was mine;
And after that, I always get them all mixed up.
To read more poems by women in the1920s, follow the link below:
http://www.randomhouse.com/boldtype/1001/voice/
Oh, gallant was the first love, and glittering and fine;
The second love was water, in a clear white cup;
The third love was his, and the fourth was mine;
And after that, I always get them all mixed up.
To read more poems by women in the1920s, follow the link below:
http://www.randomhouse.com/boldtype/1001/voice/