On Sonia Sanchez’s Naturalized Poetry

This thesis makes a study on the poetry of Sonia Sanchez (1934～), an female African American poet who won the1985American Book Award. The poetic features of her poetry are explored from the perspective of the naturalization of poetry. With the method of theoretical analysis and text reading, her philosophy of nature is abstracted, the artistic features under such philosophy are discussed and the philosophical and social inspirations are illustrated.The thesis consists of five sections, namely, the introduction, three chapters of argumentation and the conclusion.The introduction gives an outline of Sanchez’s literary achievement and her life experience. The research outcomes about Sanchez and her works home and abroad are sorted. This part also elaborates the values of the study and the research methods to be used. The first section of argumentation "Sanchez’s Philosophy of Nature" is dedicated to Sanchez’s view of nature. From her interviews and poems, it is found that in her mind, human individuals and human society are all part of nature. The being and living of human individuals follow the spirit of nature. The functioning of human society also embraces the spirit of harmony. Chapter two of the argumentation "Naturalized Poetry" defines naturalized poetry as a new poetic practice from aspects of its essence and standards. It then gives a detailed analysis of artistic features of Sanchez’s naturalized poetry from the perspectives of rhythmical and musical features, choice of subject matters as well as themes. The resonation between human life and poetic rhythm and music forms, the innovational employment of poetic forms, the introduction of black music and African American life as subject matters and the arrangement of themes like life, equality and harmony all well illustrate the spirit of nature. The third chapter of argumentation "Naturalized Poetry as a Way of Salvation" discusses the salvation functions of naturalized poetry toward African American individuals and society. For individuals, naturalized poetry saves them from the powerlessness and hopelessness under oppression to the natural state of living dignity, power and beauty. For African American society, naturalized poetry sets people free from the ethical dilemma resulted from social and historical factors so that they return to the right path. The conclusion part gives a brief statement of the main opinion of the study and explores the great influence and value of Sanchez’s literary innovation as well as the great implication on social and philosophical development.To conclude, Sanchez’s view of nature has its root in American society, especially the social reality of racism and sexism. Her naturalization of poetry not only demonstrates her efforts in literary experimentation, but also her humane care for African Americans’ fate and their return to nature. Naturalized poetry implies another path for the salvation of African Americans as well as American the country.