Initial readings of ‘Tall’ ‘Modern literature explores the consequences of conflict and control on the individual.’ Compare the significance of conflict and control in the two texts you have studied. Initial readings of ‘Tall’ Discussing with your partner, which of the following statements do you agree with? Why/why not? Link to evidence and your own interpretation. Note statement + your supporting evidence. In ‘Tall’, Duffy presents how even the god-like figure the protagonist has developed into by the end of the poem is powerless in the face of both natural and man-made devastation (lack of control). In ‘Tall’, Duffy is exploring how an isolated outsider experiences conflict when she fails to fit into society’s norms. Here, Duffy portrays women’s distance from the global conflicts and disasters; although they are perceptive enough to foresee their occurrence, they are generally excluded and remote from such issues and unable to create change in the world, much to their distress. In this poem, Duffy presents the initial benevolence of the female protagonist, despite the conflict she faces in responses from others and through global trauma: she is merciful right to then end. I think that through the conceit of the protagonist growing increasingly taller and detached from human life, Duffy is trying to suggest that we cannot grow beyond or transcend the problems of our world: it is futile to try to ignore such conflict. In my opinion, Duffy uses the female protagonist and her emotive actions in ‘Tall’ to demonstrate that conflict affects women deeply, even though they may be powerless to stop it.

Conflict and control – AO2 ‘Modern literature explores the consequences of conflict and control on the individual.’ Compare the significance of conflict and control in the two texts you have studied. Conflict and control – AO2 Free verse but internal rhyme – lack of order, also frequently used to emphasise her actions: ‘somebody whooped. She stooped’; ‘bit it’/’lit it’; ‘under her chin, called/ for a gin’. Single word sentences/caesurae ‘Out.’; ‘On.’; ‘Further.’; ‘Grew.’ Blunt statements/tone; emphasises her isolation these pronounced, very separate sentences. Central conceit of a woman growing increasingly taller and therefore increasingly distant from her world. She seems to desire this tallness/distance at the beginning as it is presented as a ‘gift’, but it becomes painful and frustrating as she sees the problems in her world but is powerless to prevent them Semantic field of religion and devotion: ‘christening’, ‘as if praying’, ‘pilgrims - came with questions and worries’, ‘chanting’ (more on this in a moment) Comparative adjectives reflecting change (or lack of it): ‘Taller/ was colder, aloner, no wiser.’ (and, earlier ‘Further’. Interestingly, the way that ‘Taller’ is repeated in the poem leads some to conclude that this is Duffy's intended name for the protagonist, which implies a never-ending growth whereby the protagonist becomes evermore distant from her world) Portrait of the woman’s despair through animalistic and emotive verb ‘she looked back and howled’ (this links to the raucous and emotive responses of the woman in ‘Loud’ too).

Conflict and control – AO3 ‘Modern literature explores the consequences of conflict and control on the individual.’ Compare the significance of conflict and control in the two texts you have studied. Conflict and control – AO3 Significance of the specific reference to terrorism and the destruction of the twin towers. At the time, the World Trade centre twin towers were seen as powerful symbols of economic and military might. Their brutal destruction by terrorists reflects a wanton refusal to defer to wealth and power as a superior force. The natural disasters (‘dust storms’, ‘hurricanes’ and ‘floods’) referred to in the poem reflect how man’s actions are affecting our planet, often with devastating consequences. The noun ‘pilgrims’ who quickly arrive with their ‘questions and worries’ as they visit the extraordinarily tall protagonist creates religious or cult-like connotations to their fascination with her. This, combined with the use of the verb ‘chanting’ to describe the actions of the local people who follow the protagonist, perhaps reflects the fickle attitudes of modern society when it comes to faith and/or refers to the cult of the celebrity in our modern age.

‘Modern literature explores the consequences of conflict and control on the individual.’ Compare the significance of conflict and control in the two texts you have studied. Evaluate/summarise: What are the consequences of conflict and control on the individual in ‘Tall’? How have these two things had an impact on her? Discuss with your partner/agree your response. Write it up in a succinct paragraph, embedding quotations and some AO2 analysis. Remember, this is just one paragraph so you are highlighting 1-2 important ideas about the consequences/impact here.

Discussing with your partner, which of the following statements do you agree with? Why/why not? Link to evidence and your own interpretation. Note statement + your supporting evidence. In ‘Tall’, Duffy presents how even the god-like figure the protagonist has developed into by the end of the poem is powerless in the face of both natural and man-made devastation (lack of control). In ‘Tall’, Duffy is exploring how an isolated outsider experiences conflict when she fails to fit into society’s norms. Here, Duffy portrays women’s distance from the global conflicts and disasters; although they are perceptive enough to foresee their occurrence, they are generally excluded and remote from such issues and unable to create change in the world, much to their distress. In this poem, Duffy presents the initial benevolence of the female protagonist, despite the conflict she faces in responses from others and through global trauma: she is merciful right to then end. I think that through the conceit of the protagonist growing increasingly taller and detached from human life, Duffy is trying to suggest that we cannot grow beyond or transcend the problems of our world: it is futile to try to ignore such conflict. In my opinion, Duffy uses the female protagonist and her emotive actions in ‘Tall’ to demonstrate that conflict affects women deeply, even though they may be powerless to stop it. Discussing with your partner, which of the following statements do you agree with? Why/why not? Link to evidence and your own interpretation. Note statement + your supporting evidence. In ‘Tall’, Duffy presents how even the god-like figure the protagonist has developed into by the end of the poem is powerless in the face of both natural and man-made devastation (lack of control). In ‘Tall’, Duffy is exploring how an isolated outsider experiences conflict when she fails to fit into society’s norms. Here, Duffy portrays women’s distance from the global conflicts and disasters; although they are perceptive enough to foresee their occurrence, they are generally excluded and remote from such issues and unable to create change in the world, much to their distress. In this poem, Duffy presents the initial benevolence of the female protagonist, despite the conflict she faces in responses from others and through global trauma: she is merciful right to then end. I think that through the conceit of the protagonist growing increasingly taller and detached from human life, Duffy is trying to suggest that we cannot grow beyond or transcend the problems of our world: it is futile to try to ignore such conflict. In my opinion, Duffy uses the female protagonist and her emotive actions in ‘Tall’ to demonstrate that conflict affects women deeply, even though they may be powerless to stop it. Discussing with your partner, which of the following statements do you agree with? Why/why not? Link to evidence and your own interpretation. Note statement + your supporting evidence. In ‘Tall’, Duffy presents how even the god-like figure the protagonist has developed into by the end of the poem is powerless in the face of both natural and man-made devastation (lack of control). In ‘Tall’, Duffy is exploring how an isolated outsider experiences conflict when she fails to fit into society’s norms. Here, Duffy portrays women’s distance from the global conflicts and disasters; although they are perceptive enough to foresee their occurrence, they are generally excluded and remote from such issues and unable to create change in the world, much to their distress. In this poem, Duffy presents the initial benevolence of the female protagonist, despite the conflict she faces in responses from others and through global trauma: she is merciful right to then end. I think that through the conceit of the protagonist growing increasingly taller and detached from human life, Duffy is trying to suggest that we cannot grow beyond or transcend the problems of our world: it is futile to try to ignore such conflict. In my opinion, Duffy uses the female protagonist and her emotive actions in ‘Tall’ to demonstrate that conflict affects women deeply, even though they may be powerless to stop it.