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Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences
May Swenson: The Rise Of The Reluctant Feminist, Emily Gould
May Swenson: The Rise Of The Reluctant Feminist, Emily Gould
Student Research Symposium
Lesbian. Woman. Feminist. These are just a few of the labels that others tried to impose on May Swenson throughout her life. However, Swenson revolted against the bonds that others tried to place on her. She did not want to be secured to labels, conform to groups, or be shackled to restrictive societies. Rather, she found her solace in her own soul, and her peace through her individual perspective. Swenson lived her life according to her standards, her beliefs, her doctrine, her conscience, and through her poetry she encouraged others to do the same. One of Swenson’s most anthologized poems, …
What We Owe To Nature, Mikayla Flanary
What We Owe To Nature, Mikayla Flanary
Student Research Symposium
For my presentation, I will be discussing the aspect of nature in May Swenson's poems, particularly through Swenson's approach to nature, why she uses this approach, and why it is important for you and I. Through the study of selected Swenson poems, I have found that Swenson focuses on the use of ecocriticism, flat ontology, and environmental humility to deconstruct the popular romantic view of nature, and create a more relatable and understandable view that nature is us and we are nature. Through the speakers of her poems, Swenson shows us that we are not apart from the natural world …
Queer Spirituality: Exploring The Poetry Of May Swenson, Sabrina Madsen
Queer Spirituality: Exploring The Poetry Of May Swenson, Sabrina Madsen
Student Research Symposium
My research is focused on how May Swenson displays her personal and spiritual beliefs through the use of nature-based and gender-queer poetry. I focus on four of Swenson's poems: 'The Centaur,' 'Women,' 'Let Us Prepare,' and 'Mornings Innocent,' describing how each poem contributes to her argument that true spirituality is found in free personal expression and the rejection of traditional societal, religious, and gender norms.
Finding Spirituality In May Swenson's Poetry, Hannah Mayers
Finding Spirituality In May Swenson's Poetry, Hannah Mayers
Student Research Symposium
May Swenson was raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Logan, Utah. She eventually made the decision to to leave this church and find religion in her own poetry. Swenson explores many different religious questions in her poetry while staying secularly religious. She stays open to many different types of spirituality while relying heavily on the church she was raised in. Presentation Time: Thursday, 1-2 p.m. Zoom link: https://usu-edu.zoom.us/j/83585410381?pwd=KzdEOVc1WEhjVC9ZalpXNXVPdCtqQT09
May Swenson: Viewing Art As A Form Of Religion, Keenan Bryner
May Swenson: Viewing Art As A Form Of Religion, Keenan Bryner
Student Research Symposium
May Swenson, famous 20th Century poet and playwright, distanced herself from her LDS upbringing as her love of art and poetry grew. When reading her profound words within her poems, it is obvious that the teachings from her previous faith had not entirely left her. Swenson, with her positive outlook on life, developed her own form of religion through artistic creation. Presentation Time: Thursday, 12-1 p.m. Zoom link: https://usu-edu.zoom.us/j/83544115581?pwd=dllPNVdPZlVaNWljTWpEbGI3QXR3dz09
Humanity's Place: As Told By May Swenson, Jacob Perry
Humanity's Place: As Told By May Swenson, Jacob Perry
Student Research Symposium
May Swenson's poetry describes the relationship between humanity and the environment in which it lives. Swenson then uses this dynamic to advocate for environmental responsibility. Presentation Time: Thursday, 1-2 p.m.Zoom link: https://usu-edu.zoom.us/j/83585410381?pwd=KzdEOVc1WEhjVC9ZalpXNXVPdCtqQT09
May Swenson: The Rise Of The Reluctant Feminist, Emily Gould
May Swenson: The Rise Of The Reluctant Feminist, Emily Gould
Student Research Symposium
Lesbian. Woman. Feminist. These are just a few of the labels that others tried to impose on May Swenson throughout her life. However, Swenson revolted against the bonds that others tried to place on her. She did not want to be secured to labels, conform to groups, or be shackled to restrictive societies. Rather, she found her solace in her own soul, and her peace through her individual perspective. Swenson lived her life according to her standards, her beliefs, her doctrine, her conscience, and through her poetry she encouraged others to do the same. One of Swenson’s most anthologized poems, …
May Swenson And Using Poetry In The Form Of Self Discovery, Isabelle Quigley
May Swenson And Using Poetry In The Form Of Self Discovery, Isabelle Quigley
Student Research Symposium
“How did May Swenson use poetry to help discover who she wanted to be, and how she stayed true to herself?” May Swenson’s poetry represents a lot about who she was as a person, and the different views she carried. Studying Swenson and her life, we see she explored who she was after growing up in a Mormon family and widely Mormon society. Swenson didn’t stick to the religious standards she was taught as a young girl, but they helped her explore who she was and wanted to be. She wrote poetry continuously throughout her life, and many of her …
May Swenson And The Lds Religion: A Friendly Memory, Janae Ollerton
May Swenson And The Lds Religion: A Friendly Memory, Janae Ollerton
Student Research Symposium
May Swenson was an accomplished poet who was born to parents who were devout members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As a young adult, she decided religion wasn't for her; however, some of her works show that her departure wasn't totally clean-cut. Through an examination of her life, her works, and other secondary sources, May Swenson will be revealed as not necessarily an LDS poet, but one who should be important to currently active members. Swenson may have left the religious institution, but she kept some of its doctrine close to her heart. Presentation Time: Wednesday, …
To Love In The Swenson Way, Tegan Durfee
To Love In The Swenson Way, Tegan Durfee
Student Research Symposium
Poet and lesbian poet May Swenson should be revered as a pioneer lesbian poet in the literary world and as someone who has paved the way for future LGBTQ+ artists who find representation through her work. Swenson's work evolved and became more explicitly homosexual through the years as time evolved and this presentation presents the evolution and why this makes her a pioneer in the community. Presentation Time: Wednesday, 12-1 p.m. Zoom link: https://usu-edu.zoom.us/j/83570709111?pwd=dGpYQzZvT3dqdHdGNjMzaVZ3QnFLUT09
The Presence Of Spirituality In May Swenson's Poetry, Karcin Harris
The Presence Of Spirituality In May Swenson's Poetry, Karcin Harris
Student Research Symposium
May Swenson was raised in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and because of that influence on her childhood the religion became a part of her identity and work. After leaving home, Swenson began to explore ways of life contrary to Latter-day Saint beliefs. She stopped attending church, took up smoking, had relationships, and tried new things. However, even after she stopped actively participating in the church, Swenson still had an interest in spirituality and religion, and wrote about those topics in her poems. Many of her poems feature thought-provoking descriptions of higher beings, man’s relationship to the …