Female Subjugation and Body Politics in Song’s “Girl Powdering Her Neck” and Marvell’s “To His Coy Mistress”

Uttam Poudel

Published in Literary Oracle — Vol.8, Issue I, May 2024

Keywords: Body Politics, Beauty Standards, Female Subjugation, Objectification, Patriarchy

Abstract:

This paper examines female subjugation within the framework of body politics as depicted in Song’s “Girl Powdering Her Neck” and Marvell’s “To His Coy Mistress”. Body politics specifically examines how societal norms and power dynamics shape perceptions and treatment of women’s bodies. Drawing upon Susan Bordo’s concept of “body politics” and Julie Rodgers and Fredrickson Roberts’ “objectification theory,” this study reveals that women are not only oppressed by societal beauty standards but also trapped within a vicious cycle of self-scrutiny, where they prioritize external appearance over their inner value. In Song’s poem, the protagonist becomes a victim of body politics, where her worth is reduced to mere physical appearance putting her intellect and agency aside. Similarly, in Marvell’s poem, the male speaker objectifies his beloved undermining her agency. This paper exposes the deceitful nature of patriarchal ideology, which drives women to conform to societal beauty standards at the cost of their individuality and self-esteem. By highlighting the plight of female subjects in these poems, this study advocates for resistance against oppressive body politics. It also urges women to reclaim their autonomy and value disregarding the superficial beauty standards imposed by patriarchy.

https://doi-ds.org/doilink/06.2024-56544423/LiteraryOracle/2024/V8/I1/A19