Exploring Themes of Love and Relationships in Poetry: Duffy & MacCaig Comparison

Higher Textual Analysis Final Question 10 marks Carol Ann Duffy & Norman MacCaig

Duffy: Themes Death Love Relationships Speaker/Persona Emotions Regret Loss Setting Isolation Honesty 1. How do the poems connect to these themes? 2. Main ideas portrayed 3. Quotations

Purpose of Question The 10 mark question at the end of the Textual Analysis paper requires you to compare the poem printed in the paper with another poem/s you have studied. The question will provide you with an area of commonality as a focus for this.

Answer Structure 2 marks for commonality Statement about first text which describes how it fits the question Statement about the other text(s) which describes how they fit the question OVERARCHING STATEMENT 2 marks for dealing with poem given 2x reference and comment 0 marks reference only/ 1 mark per reference and comment/ 2 marks for extensive comment 6 marks for dealing with other texts 6x reference and comment 0 marks reference only/ 1 mark per reference and comment/ 2 marks for extensive comment

Commonality In Anne Hathaway Duffy explores the theme of love through the character of Anne Hathaway discussing her passionate and intimate relationship with her husband Shakespeare. In Havisham Duffy explores the theme of love through Miss Havisham s heartbreak and the negative impact that has had on her life and sanity.

Exam Poem forests, castles, torchlight, clifftops, seas The use of the list of romantic settings clearly links to the theme of love. Through listing these settings Duffy suggests that Anne Hathaway s relationship was so powerful that it took her to different worlds and created an adventurous and exciting atmosphere. Through the large number of setting described it emphasise the importance of this relationship as it was not just a one off experience of excitement but instead something that she experienced over and over again. Also through this list Duffy clearly links this relationship to Shakespeare s plays illustrating that his marriage was the inspiration for his great romantic works of art. Therefore showing that this poem illustrates love through highlighting the strength of this marriage. Repeat x1

Exemplar 10 Mark Question Discuss how the poet uses striking words and imagery to explore a deeper theme in their poetry. Havisham is the poem in exam paper. Assisi is the poem in the exam paper. Step 1 2 marks awarded for commonality (what the poems have in common with the question) In Havisham Duffy explores the theme of loss through striking words and imagery. Duffy creates a picture of a woman who has never been able to overcome the loss of her husband-to- be and the potential life she could have led. = 1 mark In Assisi MacCaig explores the theme of hypocrisy through striking words and imagery. Throughout the poem he describes a deformed beggar sitting outside a magnificent church, being ignored by both tourists and priests. = 1 mark

Commonality Continued In the dramatic monologue Anne Hathaway Duffy captures the impact of the loss of her beloved husband, Shakespeare. Through imagery, comparing their physical relationship to poetic technique, she tries to capture and keep her memory of him. In Basking Shark MacCaig again uses description of an observation to reflect upon the importance of humanity and its place in the world. He encounters a basking shark which makes him think about how humanity and nature interact. Plus 1 more if using a third poem + overarching statement to draw all 3 poems together In all three poems, Duffy explores the theme of loss through her effective use of striking words and imagery. In all three poems, MacCaig describes his observation of people and places to explore wider themes. = 1 mark

Other Poem 6 marks for dealing with other texts 2x reference and comment 0 marks reference only/ 1 mark per reference and comment/ 2 marks for extensive comment Havisham Beloved sweetheart bastard Duffy uses an oxymoron here to demonstrate Havisham s extreme emotion at the loss of her husband-to-be. This illustrates the theme of love as even with the presence of extreme hatred towards him she cannot block out her romantic thoughts. She refers to him as her beloved sweetheart which suggests she still loves and cares for the man who left her at the alter. However, this is counteracted with bastard , a term which shows a hatred of the same man. This opposing word choice is effective in demonstrating what love and heartbreak has done to Havisham. = 1 mark Repeat x6

Other text/s 6 marks for dealing with other texts 6x reference and comment 0 marks reference only/ 1 mark per reference and comment/ 2 marks for extensive comment Havisham Beloved here MacCaig is comparing his thoughts on humanity to a spring. Just as a spring becomes muddied and unclear when it is disturbed, so MacCaig s previous thoughts on humanity s place in the world are turned upside down. However, he continues the comparison to say that when the spring settles , he has time to think about his experience, his thoughts become clear and he has a new outlook on humanity s place in the world. This is a clear example of how MacCaig has used imagery to convey his theme. = 1 mark (maybe 2) Repeat x6

Examples of 10 mark questions Duffy Valentine By referring to this and at least one other poem, discuss how effective Duffy is in challenging pre-conceived views. War Photographer Referring closely to this poem and to at least one other poem by Duffy, discuss how she explores the link between the past and the present. MacCaig Sounds of the Day By referring to this poem and at least one other by Norman MacCaig, discuss his use of contrast to explore theme in his work. Memorial by referring to this poem and to at least one other by Norman MacCaig, discuss his exploration of deeply emotional situation.