Synopsis - The Feminine Gospels - Beautiful
Carol ann Duffy exposes the history of the patriarchy through her poem beautiful whilst creating a focal point on woman throughout history isolated by the Male Gaze. Beautiful includes the tales of Helen of troy, Cleopatra, Marlyn Monroe and Princes Diana and how each one of there lives came to an end. Carol Ann Duffy, does not mention the names of the individuals emphasising their censorship throughout history. Beautiful exposes how woman are only valuable, for what they can give rather than for what did they do or who they are.
'' History's stinking breath in her face''
Analysis
Beautiful by Carol Ann Duffy, uses Allusions throughout to emphasize her ideology. One of the main themes of beautiful is the exploration of women throughout history which is also prevalent throughout the feminine gospels. Duffy does not mention the names of the woman she talks about however she allows the reader to think themselves of who she is regarding. This leaves a significant effect on the reader as it allows us to reflect that women throughout history are normally nameless, when we think of important historical figures we normally can only think of men. This is due to the history books erasing the talents of women in an act of narcissism and loyalty to the patriarchy.
It is also important to include another theme of beautiful which is the woman's body. Marilyn Monroe was portrayed as a sex symbol to the whole of the world. Duffy argues that the female body is used as a point of manipulation as society sexualizes these bodies for their own gain. The extent to which Marylin Monroe was exploited is seen as when she died her body was used by men to have sex with. This illustrates the value of a women's body rather than her achievements as an actor and model. Duffy emphasizes this with the line ' her strong resemblance to herself, the dark roots of her pubic hair'. The idea of pubic hairs shows the natural Monroe and how she was only herself when she died ' zipped in a body bag'. This line in my opinion is the most powerful within the whole book, as it displays how women are so trapped by the patriarchy and isolated by the male gaze that only in death are they authentic.
Beautiful also includes a modern princess of Princess Diana, ' act like a fucking princess'. Duffy exposes the toxicity of the crown and the way Woman restrict themselves to fit into royalty. Princess Diana was constantly taking part in charity work and doing interviews speaking her truth something which Tradition frowned on upon. Throughout the book, every woman is brought to their end due to their exploitation. Helen of Troy was murdered, her beauty being of such value a war broke out because of it. Cleopatra killed herself, hurt by life, being only valuable for her body and status. Marilyn Monroe, although not certain killed herself due to a drug overdose as she was constantly harassed, stalked and abused by men even till after her death. The British Media and the royal family plunged Princess Diana into a negative state rumored to have been the cause for her crash.
Carol Ann Duffy exposes the vitality of the patriarchy, whilst also shining the light on the exploitation of the female body.
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