The Effect of Performance on Gender and Identity in Contemporary Poetry

Abstract

This thesis aims to analyze what effect performance has had on contemporary poetry. This is based on the assumption that performance poetries like slam poetry, have not only changed poetry but also allowed poets to use performance to explore identity, authenticity and gender in new ways. It studies this by using the theories of Judith Butler on gender and subversion of identity, as well as looking at how the role of different performance arts has affected the performance aspect of slam. This does not only affect the genre of poetry, but also the role of the critical assessment of poetry. This is caused by the fact that critical assessment does not include the performance aspect of poetry as an element which can influence the textual poem. These specific fields will be investigated by analyzing Patricia Smith’s poem “Skinhead”. In short, this thesis tries to analyze how poets use the opening of the genre to explore identity, gender and authenticity in poetry, and how the performance affects contemporary poetry in the US today.