Femininity in Goldstein & Duffy

• Dina Goldstein and Carol Ann Duffy explore how idealized femininity restricts women's pursuit of authentic purpose
• The entrenchment of gender ideals limits women to patriarchal roles, weakening their willpower and hope for autonomy

Dina Goldstein's "Fallen Princesses"

• "Fallen Princesses" is a 10-piece photography collection released in 2009
• It defies the traditional princess archetype
• It strikes at romanticized ideals about women's lives through social commentary photography

Carol Ann Duffy's "The World's Wife"

• "The World's Wife” is a poetic anthology published in 1999
• It retells historical and mythological narratives through dramatic monologues
• It aims to convey the detrimental influence of gender ideals across female history

"Thetis" Poem Analysis

• The poem "Thetis" reinterprets the sea goddess from Greek mythology
• It communicates women’s destructive hunt for perfection
• The female character narrates her transformation into the female epitome
• Her attempts ultimately lead to her subjugation

Internalization of Femininity

• Internalization of the ideal feminine is portrayed as the main obstacle to women’s freedom
• The poem opens In Media Res, creating tension with the statement “I shrank myself”
• The caesura in this opening line underscores the character's conscious submission to Peleus
• This foreshadows Thetis’ patriarchal fate as a product of adhering to societal norms
• The internal rhyme between “squeeze” and “fist” disrupts the euphonic tone
• It transforms the tone into one of discomfort and regret
• This mirrors Peleus’ growing oppression, echoing the disillusionment women face when conforming to female ideals

Thetis' Transformation and Its Symbolism

• Thetis morphs into a larger bird, striving to seize a sailing ship
• The ship symbolizes both freedom and Thetis’ unconditional devotion, amplifying the complexity of female nature
• The goddess yearns for autonomy yet still chooses to pursue the man who paradoxically enslaves her
• Thetis’ dilemma highlights the complicated existence of women, who are often tethered to ideals that undermine their independence

Commentary on Societal Ideals

• Sibilance in the third stanza embodies Thetis’ revamping into a snake
• The comparison of the snake with a “suitable shape” and “Size 8” alludes to the romanticization of the slim physique in females
• This depicts the character’s new strategy as a parallel to women’s toxic search for the perfect body
• The negative connotation of “Big Mistake” highlights the nature of gender expectations that engage women into a cycle of subordination

Thematic Progression in "Thetis"

• The thematic progression moves from winged to land animals, then sea creatures, rodents, and finally elemental entities
• This progression unveils Thetis’ desperate longing for authentic purpose and her descent into helplessness
• Readers realize the suffocating impact of gender norms

Penelope and Detachment

• In "Penelope," Odysseus’ wife finds herself caged by unwavering loyalty to her missing husband
• Imagery of “looked along the road” renders visible Penelope’s deep gaze into the horizon, mirroring her entrapment
• Asyndetic listing on “self-contained, absorbed, content,” and “not waiting” redefines the ideal feminine as independent and powerful
• The poem’s ending suggests Penelope’s detachment from romanticized standards, differing from Thetis’ tragic fate

Delilah and Loss of Control

• In “Delilah,” the Biblical character is enslaved by the female epitome of sexual fidelity and nurturing
• The use of profanity in the line “He fucked me again” builds up a blunt tone
• It hints at Delilah’s normalization of her caregiver role despite being progressively objectified
• Delilah’s “deliberate, passionate hands” cutting Samson’s locks presents a paradox
• Compliance with her patriarchal role is contradicted by her appliance of agency to reclaim control

Shared Fate of the Characters

• Delilah, Penelope, and Thetis do not escape the system
• They are manipulated by gendered ideals to sacrifice their authenticity for autonomy
• Their autonomy diminishes as they become entrapped under patriarchal control

"Princess Pea" and the Degradation of Identity

• "Princess Pea" reimagines Hans Christian Andersen’s folktale
• It depicts the princess atop her towering pile of mattresses in a desolate landfill
• This work examines the degradation of female identity stemming from pursuing gender exemplars

Critique of Fairytale Ideals

• Goldstein critiques the global issue by showcasing the grim reality of fairytale ideals
• Salience on the tower of mattresses alludes to the original folktale’s moral
• It unveils sensitivity as another glorified aspect of femininity
• The contrast between the pastel mattresses and the dull setting illustrates the prop as a symbol for fantasy
• The work envisions the assimilation of gender standards in a modern context

Artistic Choices and Their Implications

• An extreme wide shot minimizes the princess’ size
• It augments the tower’s verticality, portraying the character as unable to leave her fantasy
• The princess atop the mattresses implies women’s derealization
• It captures the existential contraints of romanticized femininity

Isolation and Disconnection

• The princess’ distant gaze from the camera elicits uncertainty
• It elucidates women’s emotional disconnection from reality via their overwhelming fixation on gender ideals
• Isolation is enhanced through the landfill’s large depth of field
• The harsh backdrop serves as a metaphor for the destruction of life

"Sleeping Beauty" and Eternal Youth

• In "Sleeping Beauty," the princess is visualized in a state of comma alongside the prince
• Goldstein’s exploration includes the salience of Aurora's youth in a nursing home.
• Aurora's languid posture suggests her choice to remain asleep and preserve her beauty
• The inclusion of medieval props in this contemporary space exposes the futility of seeking eternal youth
• The hanging clock underscores how clinging to youthful aspirations can hinder female evolution

"Jasmine" and Female Empowerment

• In “Jasmine,” the protagonist takes upon the role of a war soldier in a Middle Eastern battle
• The large depth of field underscores Jasmine as the only soldier in battle
• This alludes to the female fight for independence
• The repetition of the color purple features diverse traits of the female identity, including strength and power

Subversion of Ideal Womanhood

• Goldstein subverts the perfect womanhood
• It renders how deviating from it can foster a more authentic and confident sense of self

Conclusion: Impact and Agency

• Both Duffy and Goldstein address the global issue regarding idealized femininity
• "The World’s Wife" sensitizes readers to the female struggle to detach from romanticized paradigms
• "Fallen Princesses" exposes these societal norms as a real-life issue
• It is essential for women to reclaim their identities and assert their agency