Juliana Catania, Gianna Adragna, Chloe Partridge and Alyssa Minasian

Abstract:

Diane DiPrima enters into a predominantly male environment through her engagement with Beat poetry. This environment has very noticeable barriers and reservations towards women. DiPrima has to not only establish herself as a writer and a woman within the counterculture movement, but also recognize the oppression of women that is often perpetuated by the very men within this counterculture movement. DiPrima is also going against many societal norms and expectations by pursuing a career as a writer, specifically as a Beat poet. This project is designed to highlight DiPrima’s portrayal of the dynamic and fluid nature of femininity, along with the contradicting social restrictions placed on women in the 1950’s and 60’s. This project is intended to acknowledge the underrepresentation of women during this time period and the metaphorical glass ceiling DiPrima is all too familiar with.