I have chosen as a text to read for my midterm: “Poetry is Not a Luxury” (1985) by Audre Lorde.
Here is what this text means to me: I am somewhat distanced from the text given that I do not write poetry and do not otherwise have any means of creative expression that could perhaps be likened to poetry or used in the way that Lorde suggests that poetry be used. However, I still find myself able to connect with or attach to the overall feminist tone of the piece and the rejection of the societal and cultural dominance of the European male in society.
The intended audience I am imagining for my close-reading essay is: Other women interested in the discussion on feminism and the intersection of race and gender. They would make a good audience simply due to the fact that Lorde’s writing itself seems to cater to such an audience. My close-reading could be important to them as it would examine Lorde’s thoughts on the topic, and studying how she expresses such thoughts could reveal further or deeper meaning. I would hope that my close-reading and interpretation of the writing would at least draw attention to various valuable elements of Lorde’s writing and complement the audience’s process of grasping Lorde’s arguments and their complexity.
The 2-3 formally/generically similar texts I have discovered through research are:
“The Uses of the Erotic” by Audre Lorde
Lorde, A. (1984). The Uses of the Erotic. In Sister Outsider: Essays and Speeches by Audre Lorde. The Crossing Press.
In this essay, Lorde examines the concept of the erotic, an internal force or power which is repressed in women by Western society. She suggests that rather than allow their true strength to be repressed, women should embrace and allow themselves be empowered through the erotic.
“Scratching the Surface: Some Notes on Barriers to Women and Loving” by Audre Lorde
Lorde, A. (1984). Scratching the Surface: Some Notes on Barriers to Women and Loving. In Sister Outsider: Essays and Speeches by Audre Lorde. The Crossing Press.
In this essay, Lorde discusses gender roles and feminism within the context of the oppression of black people in society. In particular, she addresses female relationships and how internal conflict within the black community regarding feminine relations and goals is unproductive, if not detrimental to overall progress against the oppression that aggravates or is the source of this internal conflict to begin with. She addresses the intersection of racism and sexism by arguing that working against oppression in both realms requires a cooperative effort against the true, external oppressors to simultaneously advance the interests of racial and gender groups together rather than misdirecting and wasting energy on infighting, sabotaging the advancement of both of the two overlapping areas.
Some of the generic conventions of these texts are:
Lorde’s writing seems to include discussion that focuses on simply expressing concepts, feelings, and perspectives. Lorde often seems to convey feelings and discuss ideas in a more abstract sense rather than focusing too much on discussing particular matters in a too physical or specific, literal context or manner. She speaks to the heart.
Lorde heavily utilizes metaphor and powerful language which express her ideas dramatically and in a more abstract way which allows for room in interpretation and also expresses not just empty statements or arguments by Lorde, but creates feeling and tone in the writing; it leaves an emotional impression.
Lorde’s writing deeply connects with or focuses on her intended audience in how the entirety of her writing creates or refers to a sense of “we”, a sense of connection and community with her audience. It feels very much that she is speaking directly to her discourse community, reaching out to them, drawing them close, and calling them to action. Her writing doesn’t seem to waste time catering to any other general audience which can only be outside observers.
I intend to talk about my object in relation to: intersectionality in the experience and advancement of identity within marginalized groups.
I think that my object intersects/overlaps with class in these ways: intersectionality, identity, social relations.
I am struggling with/ cannot seem to figure out/ do not know how to approach what amount of text to examine (ex: one paragraph vs. entire passage). I would like more clarification on how to discuss generic conventions and discourse communities and what role they play in writing. I need support with making sure I am addressing what the midterm essay is looking for.