Hilda Doolittle, aka H.D, was an imagist poet. She was also known for using mythology to explore the female identity. H.D, in a way, puts herself in her poems. She uses images and myths as a mask for her identity. She uses classic Geek mythology characters that supported and connected with her own life experiences. She uses strong female characters in her poems, such as Artemis, Athena and Aphrodite. She unifies mythology and imagist techniques to create modern poetry. Throughout her work, she became increasingly interested in psychoanalysis and feminism. She was particularly fascinated with Freud. H.D encompasses all the component of modernism: the examination of women, the examination of homosexuality and examination of the self through psychoanalysis. H.D uses Greek mythology to reconstruct the female identity and give a voice to silenced women. …show more content…
Eurydice’s speech represents the pain women are suffering because men control them. The beginning of the poem Eurydice is expressing anger and confusion; “so for your arrogance/ and your ruthlessness/ I am swept back/ where dead lichens drip/ dead cinders upon moss of ash” (Eurydice 6-10). Eurydice expresses extreme anger towards Orpheus; because of him she is swept back into the horrible place. Then by the end she declares her independence manifesting her suffering and becoming stronger; “At least I have the flowers of myself, / ad my thoughts, no god / can take that” (Eurydice 125-127). She is looking at the bright side of things and discovering all that she still has. This poem directly relates to how H.D challenges patriarchal privilege and that women are strong enough to not let oppression defeat them. This poem parallels with her personal struggles. Her life was filled with tragedy. Eurydice is a woman who suffers from personal misfortune, just as she does. Eurydice declaration for independence reflects H.D’s declaration of her own life. Eurydice serves as a mask for