Poems at the edge of differences [Elektronische Ressource] : mothering in new English poetry by women / Renate Papke

his study consists of two parts. The first part offers an overview of feminism’s the-Tory of differences. The second part deals with the textual analysis of poems about Renate Papke‘mothering’ by women from India, the Caribbean and Africa. Literary criticism has dealt with the representation of ‘mothering’ in prose texts. The exploration of lyrical texts has Poems at the Edge of Differencesnot yet come.Since the late 1970s, the acknowledgement of and the commitment to difference has been fundamental for feminist theory and activism. This investigation promotes a diffe- Mothering in rentiated, ‘locational’ feminism (Friedman). The comprehensive theoretical discussion of New English Poetry feminism’s different concepts of ‘gender’, ‘race’, ‘ethnicity’ and ‘mothering’ builds the foundation for the main part: the presentation and analysis of the poems. The issue of by Women‘mothering’ foregrounds the communicative aspect of women’s experience and wants to bridge the gap between theory and practice. This study, however, does not intend to specify ‘mothering’ as a universal and unique feminine characteristic. It underlines a metaphorical use and discusses the concepts of ‘nurturing’, ‘maternal practice’ and ‘social parenthood’. This metaphorical application supports a practice that could lead to solidarity among women and men in social and political fields.