1. Part 4: Literature--A Critical Study

2. 3 main learning outcomes: 1. Explore literary works in detail 2. Analyse elements such as theme and the ethical or moral values of literary texts 3. Understand and make appropriate use of literary terms

3.  Oral presentation  Spider web discussion  Grade 12--Individual oral commentary /Grade 11--Written response OR an individual oral commentary

4.  Born 1955 in Glasgow, Scotland  Family moved to Stafford, NW England when Duffy was 6.  Traditional, working-class, Catholic family  Went to Catholic primary school and finished education at Stafford High School for Girls  Graduated Liverpool University  Published first poetry collection in 1985 “Standing Female Nude”.  Poet Laureate in 2009

5.  1960s—1990s  Economic boom in Britain “You’ve never had it so good”  De-colonisation--massive increase in immigration of non-Europeans from former colonies.  Racism became part of British life  Britain no longer important world power  Period of boom followed by depression in the 70s

6.  1960s--’swinging sixties’  Labour Party came to power 1964.  Sexual revolution--introduction of contraceptive pill, male homosexuality became legal, ‘free love’.  Peace movement--campaign for nuclear disarmament

7.  From 1944, schools divided into grammar schools (academic) and secondary modern (vocational)  Comprehensive schools replaced both.  Meant to sweep away class divisions

8.  Margaret Thatcher (Conservative) was Prime Minister from 1979-1990.  Anti-feminist  Encouraged self-interest  Drastically reduced spending on welfare and NHS  Determined to reduce power of unions  Gap between rich and poor widened dramatically  Politically divisive

9.  Began to challenge limitations on women  Comprehensive schools offered path to university and higher education  Sexual revolution gave women control of own fertility  1960s and 70s saw new strength in Feminist movement.  Challenge to patriarchal structure and attitudes of society

10.  Examines established anti-female prejudices in literature and history.  Preoccupied with language and prejudice embedded in linguistic usage  Poems look at areas where women continue to be unequal and exploited--violence against women, especially rape and murder.  The Poetry of Carol Ann Duffy. Deddington, U.K.: Philip Allan Updates, 2005.