Women Empowerment in Selected Contemporary Poems by Nikita Gill

Abstract

This study focuses on five selected contemporary poems by Nikita Gill to understand how women empowerment is presented in her poems and the significance of each poem. Riffaterre's semiotics theory is used in this research to comprehend the meanings of women empowerment embraced in the poems. This study employs qualitative methods. The data of this research show that women empowerment in these poems is conveyed through explicit diction and emotional emphasis on self-worth, choices, and life control of women. Each poem tells distinct significance: ‘Queens II’ addresses the dignity of women before men; ‘If All Girls’ focuses on self-love and women supporting women; ‘Wolf and Women’ highlights the power of women; ‘For Her’ expresses appreciation for women; and ‘Girls of the Wild’ discusses women against societal stigmas. This study shows that Gill empowers women through her five selected contemporary poems by depicting the struggles and strength of women in facing various adversity.