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FEMININE GOSPELS - Coggle Diagram

- - - - This is interchanging and all the poems work well together as a whole. The three part structure does not separate poems, as they all interconnectedly work to create a beautifully rounded exploration of female identity, but it instead works to group significant themes, leading to a more poignant message.
      - The Long Queen to Loud- would be the first section for me. Explores a universal, widespread experience for all women, throughout all time and in all locations. The use of anonymity in this section shows how Duffy applies the content of these poems to experiences that all women have faced. Although it could be argued that the inclusion of famous historical figures in The Long Queen and Beautiful makes this section less personal and applicable, it is interesting that Duffy shed's a light on the experiences of 'famous' women. This, in my opinion, is Duffy taking a completely inclusive approach, setting aside her perhaps Marxist views for the cause of complete intersectional feminism, including all women. Most importantly, regardless of their content, all poems track back to and bring to light the influence of societies views upon women, showing the universalizability of Duffy's 'first section'
      - History to Anon focuses on women's voices and their ability to have influence in the same way that men have, historically and in the present. Duffy's draws upon historical context, as well as biblical influences. This encompasses the idea of where the idea of female oppression, mistreatment and misogyny has come from- highlighting the profuse impact of Christianity specifically but also organized religion in general. Although this section draws on the past, it is incredibly relevant even today, with women being denied autonomy and the right to use their voices universally, and with this being ignored as alarming and regressive. With women in Iran being denied their right to education, bodily autonomy and freedom, women in many US states being denied their human right to abortion, and women in the Western world being grouped into horrendous misogynistic generalisations by men; afraid of the power women are beginning to posses; this section of the anthology speaks specifically to the present world in the 2020's as well as drawing on History. This highlights the same essence of the collection that the first section does but in a different way- Duffy applies the collection to all women, at all times, in all locations, especially focusing on the importance of not repeating the past, but being educated on it so that progress can continue.
      - The Laughter of Stafford Girls High marks a change in tone- mimicking the influence of second wave feminism.
      - Laughter of SGH to Death and the Moon is more anecdotal and elegiac. Duffy draws on her own experiences with female identity, motherhood, and her relationships with other men and women. This not only is important to Duffy- paving her own story into the story of all women is a poignant and powerful action, but it also highlights the individual experiences of all women. Duffy has encompassed all women universally within the first two sections, and then writes her own story into this, and integrally shows that all women have their own too, and most importantly, deserve to do the same as her. This creates a proactive and hopeful tone to the anthology, as it encourages all women to reflect on the relationships they have with female identity, other women, encouraging them to become educated on the intersectional feminist movement, and also encourages male readers to reflect on their own education about and treatment of women.
    - - -It could definitely be argued that the anthology is set out in a two part structure in order to mimic the Old Testament and the New Testament. This structure would bring about a much more hopeful tone to the collection. Since the New Testament signifies New beginnings, contains considerably more progressive, positive and inclusive messages, mimicking this structure could be Duffy presenting the idea of hopeful change and progression for women and the feminist movement universally.