Adrienne Rich is prescribed for the 2027 Leaving Cert English exam. Her poetry is political, personal, and unflinching. She writes about gender, power, language, and transformation. Rich evolved dramatically as a poet, moving from formal early work to a fierce, direct style that challenged everything from literary tradition to social structures. Examiners notice when students can track that evolution.
Prescribed Poems
Click any poem below for a full study guide with analysis, key quotes, themes, and exam strategy.
The Uncle Speaks in the Drawing Room