Epic poetry by women is less common historically due to cultural constraints, but there are notable examples across time. Here’s a concise list of epic poems or long narrative works by women that fit or stretch the epic genre:
Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Aurora Leigh (1856): A nine-book verse novel blending epic and personal narrative, it follows a woman poet’s quest for artistic and social identity. Often considered an epic for its scope and ambition.
H.D. (Hilda Doolittle), Helen in Egypt (1961): A modernist reimagining of the Trojan War through Helen’s perspective, this long poem blends myth, lyric, and epic elements to explore war and identity.
Muriel Rukeyser, The Book of the Dead (1938): A documentary-style long poem about the Hawk’s Nest Tunnel disaster, it combines epic scale with social critique, weaving workers’ voices and history.
Anne Carson, Autobiography of Red (1998): A verse novel reinterpreting the myth of Geryon, it’s epic in its emotional and mythic depth, though unconventional in form.
Theresa Hak Kyung Cha, Dictee (1982): A genre-defying work blending poetry, prose, and visuals, it’s an epic exploration of Korean diaspora, history, and female voice.
These works vary in their adherence to traditional epic conventions (like heroic quests or invocation of muses) but are epic in scale, ambition, or cultural impact. Women often faced barriers to writing in this male-dominated genre, so their contributions tend to subvert or expand its boundaries. If you want more details on any of these or additional examples, let me know!
Thanks for another great newsletter. It finally prompted me to get the squeeze app after meaning to for years. Two exercises in already feeling smug 😁
Fantastic post, Caroline! Crisp, delightful, factual and fun.
Glad you are on the mend. I had never heard of these apps. Sounds like a great self-care program.
Thank you. I’m still smiling.
Wish I could self smear here in Canada😕
Poetry? Shudda asked @grok…
Epic poetry by women is less common historically due to cultural constraints, but there are notable examples across time. Here’s a concise list of epic poems or long narrative works by women that fit or stretch the epic genre:
Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Aurora Leigh (1856): A nine-book verse novel blending epic and personal narrative, it follows a woman poet’s quest for artistic and social identity. Often considered an epic for its scope and ambition.
H.D. (Hilda Doolittle), Helen in Egypt (1961): A modernist reimagining of the Trojan War through Helen’s perspective, this long poem blends myth, lyric, and epic elements to explore war and identity.
Muriel Rukeyser, The Book of the Dead (1938): A documentary-style long poem about the Hawk’s Nest Tunnel disaster, it combines epic scale with social critique, weaving workers’ voices and history.
Anne Carson, Autobiography of Red (1998): A verse novel reinterpreting the myth of Geryon, it’s epic in its emotional and mythic depth, though unconventional in form.
Theresa Hak Kyung Cha, Dictee (1982): A genre-defying work blending poetry, prose, and visuals, it’s an epic exploration of Korean diaspora, history, and female voice.
These works vary in their adherence to traditional epic conventions (like heroic quests or invocation of muses) but are epic in scale, ambition, or cultural impact. Women often faced barriers to writing in this male-dominated genre, so their contributions tend to subvert or expand its boundaries. If you want more details on any of these or additional examples, let me know!
Grok
is this from grok or you? either way, good list, annoying tho it may be for me to acknowledge any good from an AI 😅