N6Textual Analysis Final Question

Worth 10 marks   Up to 2 marks can be achieved for identifying elements of commonality as identified in the question, i.e. use of contrast to highlight main concerns of this and other poems by Duffy. A further 2 marks can be achieved for reference to the extract given. 6 additional marks can be awarded for discussion of similar references to at least one other poem by the poet.

In practice this means:   Identification of commonality (2) (eg: theme, characterisation, use of imagery, setting, or any other key element…) from the extract: 2 x relevant reference to technique/idea/feature 2 x appropriate comment (2) (maximum of 2 marks only for discussion of extract)

from at least one other text:   as before (x3) for up to 6 marks OR more detailed comment x2 for up to 6 marks Thus, the final 6 marks can be gained by a combination of 3, 2 and 1 marks depending on the level of depth/detail/insight. The aim would be to encourage quality of comment, rather than quantity of references.

Exemplar Questions: Discuss how Duffy uses symbolism in this poem and at least one other of her poems to develop theme. 10 Love is an important theme in “Havisham”. By referring closely to this poem and at least one other discuss what Duffy has to say on this subject and how she explores it. 10 Referring closely to this poem and to at least one other poem by Duffy, discuss how she explores the link between love and relationships. 10 In many of Duffy’s poems, the personality of the speaker is central to the poem’s message. With reference to this poem and another poem or poems by Duffy, discuss how Duffy uses this feature to explore theme. 10

In many of her poems, Duffy explores the depth and complexity of love In many of her poems, Duffy explores the depth and complexity of love. With reference to this poem and one other by Duffy, discuss the importance of this theme in her work. 10 With close textual reference show how the ideas and / or language in this poem are similar or different to another poem or poems by Carol Ann Duffy that you have read. 10 Discuss how Carol Ann Duffy uses contrast in this poem and at least one other to highlight the poems’ main concerns. 10 With close reference to other poems by this author, show how the ideas and/or language of Duffy’s poems are easily identifiable. 10

Exemplar Response In many of her poems, Duffy explores the depth and complexity of love. With reference to ‘Valentine’ and one other by Duffy, discuss the importance of this theme in her work. 10   ‘Valentine’ focuses on the speaker’s unusual perspective of love to prove to her lover that as she has put more thought into the onion she offers as a gift, rather than clichéd Valentine’s Day gifts, their love will endure. By metaphorically comparing the onion to ‘a moon wrapped in brown paper’, she conveys real romantic gifts do not need to be embellished or concealed within expensive wrapping. She has put so much thought and care into offering something unique which represents love more honestly than ‘a cute card or a kissogram’ Symbolically, ‘ the onion ‘promises light’ for a more positive and hopeful relationship ‘due to the honesty shared by the speaker who focuses on both the joy and pain love can bring.

Continued… Alternatively, ‘Havisham’ only focuses on the misery forsaken love can cause as the speaker explains how being jilted on her wedding day completely corrupted her view of love making her resentful and embittered. ‘Not a day since then/I haven’t wished him dead’ utilises unusual sentence construction to show the speaker’s chaotic state of mind and thus conveys her distress as she can’t even verbalise her thoughts in a logical manner due to the disturbing intensity of wishing her former lover dead. ‘I stabbed at a wedding-cake’ conveys that love has been completely corrupted and has become hate as the word choice of ‘stabbed’ conveys the violence and hatred she now feels towards love and marriage. In the last line ‘Don’t think it’s only the heart that b-b-b-breaks, ’ the final word is broken up not only to imitate the sound of the speaker finally breaking down in anguish, but to emphasise the extent of her mental and emotional disintegration. The final statement implies a fractured mind and a broken spirit due to the love she has lost which has completely destroyed her emotionally, and mentally.