Final answer:
Adrienne Rich was a significant American poet and feminist whose influence extended across several movements including feminism, environmentalism, and lesbian rights. Her poems, notably 'A Change of World' and 'Diving into the Wreck', addressed critical issues of her time, while her life story, from her upbringing to her partnership with Michelle Cliff, reflected the themes of her works. Rich's poetry and advocacy remain impactful in literature and social discourse.
Step-by-step explanation:
Adrienne Rich: Poet and Feminist
Adrienne Rich was a prominent voice in American literature and feminism during the mid to late twentieth century. Her profound impact on poetry and activism is evident through her numerous poetic works, including her debut A Change of World published in 1951, and the critically acclaimed Diving into the Wreck in 1973. Rich's upbringing by a father who loved English verse, combined with early encouragement to write, greatly shaped her literary talents.
Rich's poetry evolved from delicate and restrained to radically political over time, often chronicling the struggles of womanhood and questioning societal norms. Her work in the 1960s began reflecting on the American society's expectation of women choosing between family and career, addressing sexism and environmental issues. In her later years, Rich used her voice to advocate for lesbian rights and conceptualized a world without gender divisions or male domination as seen in her National Book Award-winning collection Diving into the Wreck.
Rich's relationship with novelist Michelle Cliff and the inspiration from Romantic poet William Wordsworth are also notable aspects of her life and work. Her poetry, notably the famous piece Wordsworth, and her essays address various facets of her identity and convictions, including her experiences as a suppressed lesbian and her critiques of western civilization.