The Descent of Alette by Alice Notley follows Alette's journey through the underground subway, which ends up being a completely different world. Alette's mission to overthrow the oppressive tyrant who controls this underworld symbolizes her desire to confront male hegemony. Through references to thesis, form, and historical context it is undeniable that the author is taking the reader on a journey through Alette's struggle against patriarchy. At several points in the poem Notley repeats the thesis of history. The poem reads: "the holy men", "the wise", "are frivolous" "and cruel". Here Notley openly addresses the brutality of patriarchy. (Notley 90) Alette is told that even powerful men and those labeled “saints” are cruel. Unless this immorality is stopped, there will be no truth in this world. Notley is trying to make the reader understand the need for gender equality. In society, women are considered inferior to men when it comes to strength and power. He is challenging this idea throughout Alette's journey to take down the tyrant. Alette is a heroine in this poem and portrays very different characteristics from how society has identified femininity. Feminism isn't a bad thing, it simply requires gender equality, and that's what Alette is chasing in this story. Another moment where Notley reiterates the main thesis is as the reader is introduced to the tyrant. (Notley 5) Alette is told: “you must deliver” “to the tyrant” “all your flowers” ​​“all your carnations” “or your hair cut” “give him your hair” “you must give him your tricks” “the your best lines” “takes anything-” The woman on the same subway car as Alette tells her this because she wants Alette to understand…… middle of paper……“A warmonger” “A ruler” From this the reader learns that there there has been a clear divide between men and women since the beginning of time. It's interesting that Alette hears this information from a headless woman. (Notley 91) The headless woman symbolizes women who are praised for their bodies, sexuality, or femininity, not for their brains or education. The headless woman says, "my body" "was still dancing then-" "but my head" "gave an audience" "to the conquests" "of the males" (Notley 91) In The Descent of Alette Alice Notley created an epic poem that opposes male hegemony. The tyrant symbolizes the corrupt patriarchy while Alette symbolizes a woman's abilities to overcome gender-specific personality traits imposed on them by society. Notley addresses the thesis continuously throughout the poem using form, symbolism, and historical context.