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http://www.stylist.co.uk/people/interviews-and-profiles/interview-carol-ann-duffy#image-rotator-1
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8022790.stm
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/jan/17/jeanette-winterson-on-carol-ann-duffys-the-worlds-wife
http://www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/poetry/poets/carol-ann-duffy
In the poems from Female Standing Nude, Duffy continues to give voice to outsiders, but is more open with her protagonists, focusing on characters who may be on the margins because of their jobs, social status or religion.
Take a look at the five poems from that collection now. Can you identify the protagonist in each, and what keeps them on the outside?
This collection of her poems is the first, and contains one of the most notorious, "Education for Leisure," which was removed from the UK's exam list in 2008 for "endorsing a culture of violence."
Find that poem in your packet. Can you identify what may have made it objectionable?
These poems look at iconic moments or people from a female's perspective. The characters come from fairy tales, Bible stories, legends, modern horrors, and ancient myths.
Look through your packet at these poems. How many of the names do you recognize? Who were they/what do you know about them?
Poetry:
Standing Female Nude, 1985
Selling Manhattan, 1987
Mean Time, 1993
The World's Wife, 1999
Feminine Gospels, 2002
Rapture, 2005
One can definitely see elements of her life in her writing, in terms of content, but also themes. Some of the concepts which are most prominent in these poems are gender/feminism, sexuality, identity, oppression, love and social inequality.
Skim through the poems. Do any of those jump out to you?
Dylan Thomas Award, 1989
Forward Prize, 1993
Whitbread Prize for Poetry, 1993
Poet Laureate, 2009
Plays:
Take My Husband, 1982
Cavern of Dreams, 1984
Little Women, Big Boys, 1986
"I like to use simple words, but in a complicated way."
Let's continue to look at language for a minute.
Select any three poems at random.
7 April 1852
Went to the Zoo.
I said to Him--
Something about that Chimpanzee over there reminds me of you.
from "The World's Wife" (1999): a collection of poems from the perspectives of the wives of various famous men
"A poem is a time capsule, a Tardis so much bigger on the inside than it seems on the outside."
Consider the last quote by Duffy, about the use of simple language.
Pick any one of the poems in the packet; is she being honest, in your opinion? Is she using simple words?
"Carol Ann Duffy has often spoken about poetry as an everyday event and not as a special occasion. She wants us to enjoy poetry, to have as much as we like, to be able to help ourselves to a good, fresh supply, to let poetry be as daily as talking – because poetry is talking. Words begin in the mouth before they hit the page. Speech is older than writing, and poetry is as old as speech. Poems are best spoken to get the full weight and taste of the words and the run of the lines. Difficult poems become easier when spoken."
Related to her desire to bring poetry to the people, so to speak, publishes in a variety of texts and media and about everyday topics as well...like David Beckham's torn tendons (https://www.theguardian.com/books/2010/mar/16/carol-ann-duffy-david-beckham) and problems with the Royal Mail.