This semester we will be looking closely at how poetry, literature, and drama can be tools to challenge oppression. In order to engage in conversation this semester, we’re going to begin with a reflection on the purpose of poetry.

In class we read the brief essay entitled “Poetry Is Not a Luxury” by poet laureate Audre Lorde, which provides us with a theoretical framework for reading and understanding poetry.

With her discussion in mind, answer the following questions with thoughtful responses. Don’t worry about having the “right answer.” We’re just “birthing ideas.” You don’t need to read “A Woman Speaks.”

1. What do you think the purpose of poetry is?
2. How do you feel about poetry? I didn’t become a fan of poetry until I read protest poetry. We’ll talk more about what I mean by that, but I thought that poetry was indeed a luxury, something that was for privileged people who have the luxury of time. Protest poetry changed my mind because I saw that it had a purpose to challenge oppression.
3. What do you think Lorde means when she says that poetry is not a luxury? How do you think poetry helps us to tap into “hidden sources of our power”?
4. What did you think of her statement that poetry creates “lasting action”? What type of action do you think poetry can create?

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