Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Carolyn Kizer’s poem “Pro Femina: Three” presents a critical and introspective look at the role of women in literature, exploring the complexities and challenges faced by women writers. Through vivid imagery and candid reflection, Kizer delves into the struggles, stereotypes, and societal expectations that have shaped the literary landscape for women.

The poem begins with a direct acknowledgment of the poet’s position within the literary world: “I will speak about women of letters, for I’m in the racket.” This introduction sets the stage for an insider’s perspective, providing authenticity and authority to her observations. Kizer immediately addresses the irony of women’s literary successes, noting that they are often “Old maids to a woman,” while the “saddest conspicuous failures” are “The married spinsters / On loan to the husbands they treated like surrogate fathers.” This juxtaposition highlights the tension between personal life and professional achievement for women writers.

Kizer critiques the self-pity and romanticism that have plagued some women writers, describing them as “the sad sonneteers, toast-and-teasdales we loved at thirteen; / Middle-aged virgins seducing the puerile anthologists / Through lust-of-the-mind.” The mention of “barbiturate-drenched Camilles” who indulge in “emotional blackmail” paints a picture of a literary culture steeped in melodrama and self-destruction. Kizer’s tone here is both critical and empathetic, recognizing the societal pressures that have led to such behaviors while also calling for a move beyond them.

The poet reflects on the historical context of these women writers, noting how they “reacted from an earlier womanly modesty / When too many girls were scabs to their stricken sisterhood.” This historical perspective underscores the generational shifts in attitudes toward women’s roles and the enduring struggle for equality. Kizer criticizes those who have internalized and perpetuated their own inferiority, creating a cycle of self-oppression.

Kizer’s critique extends to the present, where she observes the ongoing challenges and contradictions faced by women in literature. She acknowledges the “sleek saboteuses” who cleverly subverted male dominance, but also points out the damaging behaviors of some women who “try to be ugly by aping the ways of men” and succeed in adopting negative traits. The poem’s exploration of these extremes—women trying to conform to male standards or rejecting femininity altogether—highlights the complexity of navigating a male-dominated literary world.

The poem transitions to a more hopeful and assertive tone as Kizer discusses the emergence of women from these limiting roles: “But we’re emerging from all that, more or less, / Except for some ladylike laggards and Quarterly priestesses.” She calls for a balanced approach, advocating for “disciplined industry” and self-respect without succumbing to guilt or self-pity. The poet emphasizes the importance of standing up against prejudice and maintaining personal and professional integrity.

Kizer’s advice to women writers includes rejecting the pressure to conform to traditional roles: “If we stand up and be hated, and swear not to sleep with editors; / If we regard ourselves formally, respecting our true limitations.” She encourages women to embrace their identities and talents without making “an unseemly show of trying to unfreeze our assets.” This call for authenticity and self-respect is a central theme of the poem.

The closing lines of the poem extend this call to balance personal and professional life: “And if mothers, believe in the luck of our children, / Whom we forbid to devour us, whom we shall not devour, / And the luck of our husbands and lovers, who keep free women.” Kizer emphasizes the importance of maintaining autonomy and mutual respect in relationships, rejecting the notion that women must sacrifice their aspirations for their families.

“Pro Femina: Three” by Carolyn Kizer is a powerful exploration of the complexities faced by women writers, blending critique with hope and empowerment. Through vivid imagery and candid reflection, Kizer calls for a balanced and authentic approach to navigating the literary world, advocating for self-respect, integrity, and the rejection of limiting societal expectations.