A Summary and Analysis of Audre Lorde’s ‘Poetry Is Not a Luxury’ – Interesting Literature

By Dr Oliver Tearle (Loughborough University) ‘Poetry Is Not a Luxury’ is a 1977 essay by the American poet Audre Lorde (1934-92). In the essay, Lorde argues that poetry is a necessity for women, a…

By Dr Oliver Tearle (Loughborough University) ‘Poetry Is Not a Luxury’ is a 1977 essay by the American poet Audre Lorde (1934-92). In the essay, Lorde argues that poetry is a necessity for women, as it puts them in touch with old feelings and ways of knowing which they have long forgotten. Poetry also offers women a way to bring those feelings to light again and to share them with others. You can read ‘Poetry Is Not a Luxury’ here before proceeding to our summary and analysis of Lorde’s essay below. The essay takes around five minutes to read. ‘Poetry Is Not a Luxury’: summary Lorde begins by

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