Carol Ann DuffyCarol Ann Duffy

Carol Ann Duffy Carol Ann Duffy Carol Ann DuffyCarol Ann Duffy (born (born December 23December 23, ,

19551955) is a ) is a BritishBritish poetpoet born in born in GlasgowGlasgow, , ScotlandScotland. She grew up in . She grew up in StaffordshireStaffordshire and graduated in and graduated in philosophyphilosophy from from Liverpool UniversityLiverpool University in 1977, before in 1977, before moving to moving to LondonLondon. She now lives in . She now lives in ManchesterManchester with her daughter Ella (born with her daughter Ella (born 1995). She used to live with her partner, 1995). She used to live with her partner, the poet the poet Jackie KayJackie Kay, but they split up in , but they split up in late 2004.late 2004.

Carol Ann DuffyCarol Ann Duffy Carol Ann DuffyCarol Ann Duffy (born (born December 23December 23, ,

19551955) is a ) is a BritishBritish poetpoet born in born in GlasgowGlasgow, , ScotlandScotland. She grew up in . She grew up in StaffordshireStaffordshire and graduated in and graduated in philosophyphilosophy from from Liverpool UniversityLiverpool University in 1977, before in 1977, before moving to moving to LondonLondon. She now lives in . She now lives in ManchesterManchester with her daughter Ella (born with her daughter Ella (born 1995). She used to live with her partner, 1995). She used to live with her partner, the poet the poet Jackie KayJackie Kay, but they split up in , but they split up in late 2004. late 2004.

Carol Ann Duffy Carol Ann Duffy WorksWorks In her first collection In her first collection Standing Female NudeStanding Female Nude

(1985) she often uses the voices of outsiders (1985) she often uses the voices of outsiders while while Selling ManhattanSelling Manhattan (1987) contains more (1987) contains more personal verse. Her later collections are personal verse. Her later collections are The The Other CountryOther Country (1990), (1990), Mean TimeMean Time (1993) and (1993) and The World's WifeThe World's Wife (1999). (1999).

The World's WifeThe World's Wife saw her retelling famous saw her retelling famous stories and fables - stories and fables - MidasMidas, , King KongKing Kong, , ElvisElvis, , Anne HathawayAnne Hathaway, , SalomeSalome - as wry and exuberant - as wry and exuberant ''feministfeminist' documents from the point of view of ' documents from the point of view of real or imagined women. Although real or imagined women. Although The World's The World's WifeWife is presented in this way, it is said to be her is presented in this way, it is said to be her most autobiographical collection of poems.most autobiographical collection of poems.

Carol Ann Duffy Carol Ann Duffy Her next collection Her next collection Feminine GospelsFeminine Gospels (2002) (2002)

continues this vein, showing an increased interest in continues this vein, showing an increased interest in long narrative poems, accessible in style and often long narrative poems, accessible in style and often surreal in their imagery.surreal in their imagery.

Her most recent publication Her most recent publication RaptureRapture (2005) is a series (2005) is a series of intimate poems charting the course of a love affair.of intimate poems charting the course of a love affair.

She is perhaps one of the few poets in the UK to She is perhaps one of the few poets in the UK to combine academic integrity with accessibility and combine academic integrity with accessibility and popularity. Many UK teenagers read her work, as they popularity. Many UK teenagers read her work, as they learn her poetry as part of their learn her poetry as part of their English LiteratureEnglish Literature exams.exams.

Her children's collections include Her children's collections include Meeting MidnightMeeting Midnight (1999) and (1999) and The Oldest Girl in the WorldThe Oldest Girl in the World (2000). (2000).

Carol Ann DuffyCarol Ann Duffy AwardsAwards Eric Gregory AwardEric Gregory Award 1984 1984 Scottish Arts CouncilScottish Arts Council Book Award (for Book Award (for Standing Female Standing Female

NudeNude and and The Other CountryThe Other Country, and again for , and again for Mean Mean TimeTime) )

Somerset Maugham AwardSomerset Maugham Award 1988 (for 1988 (for Selling Selling ManhattanManhattan) )

Dylan Thomas Award 1989 Dylan Thomas Award 1989 CholmondeleyCholmondeley Award Award 1992 1992 Whitbread AwardsWhitbread Awards 1993 (for 1993 (for Mean TimeMean Time) ) Forward PrizeForward Prize (for (for Mean TimeMean Time) ) T S Eliot PrizeT S Eliot Prize 2006 (for 2006 (for RaptureRapture) ) Forward PrizeForward Prize for Rapture for Rapture

Carol Ann DuffyCarol Ann Duffy Poet Laureate controversyPoet Laureate controversy Carol Ann Duffy was almost appointed the British Carol Ann Duffy was almost appointed the British

Poet LaureatePoet Laureate in 1999 (after the death of previous Laureate in 1999 (after the death of previous Laureate Ted HughesTed Hughes), but lost out on the position to ), but lost out on the position to Andrew MotionAndrew Motion. . According to the According to the Sunday TimesSunday Times [1][1] Downing StreetDowning Street sources sources stated unofficially that Prime Minister Tony Blair was stated unofficially that Prime Minister Tony Blair was 'worried about having a homosexual poet laureate because 'worried about having a homosexual poet laureate because of how it might play in middle England'. Duffy later claimed of how it might play in middle England'. Duffy later claimed that she would not have accepted the laureateship that she would not have accepted the laureateship anyway, saying in an interview with the anyway, saying in an interview with the GuardianGuardian newspaper that 'I will not write a poem for Edward and newspaper that 'I will not write a poem for Edward and Sophie. No self-respecting poet should have to.' She says Sophie. No self-respecting poet should have to.' She says she regards Andrew Motion as a friend and that the idea of she regards Andrew Motion as a friend and that the idea of a contest between her and him for the post was entirely a contest between her and him for the post was entirely invented by the newspapers. invented by the newspapers.

SalomeSalome

Look at the following Look at the following pictures.pictures.

What do you think they are What do you think they are about?about?

SalomeSalome

SalomeSalome

SalomeSalome

What did you think?

SalomeSalome

SalomeSalome

Read the following Read the following information about information about Salome?Salome?

Salome Salome

SalomeSalome SalomeSalome The real story behind this poem is found in the New The real story behind this poem is found in the New

Testament books of Matthew (Chapter 14.6-11) and Mark Testament books of Matthew (Chapter 14.6-11) and Mark (6.22-28), and took place about AD 30. The historical (6.22-28), and took place about AD 30. The historical Salome was a daughter of Herodias and Philip (he was Salome was a daughter of Herodias and Philip (he was one of the ruling family in Palestine). She danced before one of the ruling family in Palestine). She danced before the ruler, Herod Antipas (Philip's half-brother and her the ruler, Herod Antipas (Philip's half-brother and her uncle), who promised to grant any request she might uncle), who promised to grant any request she might make. John the Baptist had condemned Herodias because make. John the Baptist had condemned Herodias because of her affair (as would now call it) with Herod, who had of her affair (as would now call it) with Herod, who had put him in prison. Prompted by her mother, Salome asked put him in prison. Prompted by her mother, Salome asked for the head of John and at once he was executed. The for the head of John and at once he was executed. The name of Salome is not used in the gospels but is known name of Salome is not used in the gospels but is known from the Jewish historian Josephus. Oscar Wilde wrote a from the Jewish historian Josephus. Oscar Wilde wrote a play about Salome, in which she is presented as in love play about Salome, in which she is presented as in love with John the Baptist; the play ends with her being with John the Baptist; the play ends with her being executed on Herod's orders. executed on Herod's orders.

SalomeSalome

SalomeSalome

Either Carol Ann Duffy does not know the Either Carol Ann Duffy does not know the history well, or she deliberately takes history well, or she deliberately takes liberties. The head on the pillow is no part liberties. The head on the pillow is no part of the real story of Salome, but appears of the real story of Salome, but appears to have been stolen from the feature film, to have been stolen from the feature film, The Godfather, where a character wakes The Godfather, where a character wakes to find on the pillow beside him, the head to find on the pillow beside him, the head of his prize racehorse. (In the film, this is of his prize racehorse. (In the film, this is a threat, and it works - the horse owner a threat, and it works - the horse owner does what he had hitherto refused to do.) does what he had hitherto refused to do.)

SalomeSalome

SalomeSalome

Now Read the Poem!Now Read the Poem!

SalomeSalomeI'd done it before I'd done it before (and doubtless I'll do it again,(and doubtless I'll do it again,sooner or later) sooner or later) woke up with a head on the pillow woke up with a head on the pillow

beside me -whose? - beside me -whose? - what did it matter? what did it matter? Good- looking, of course, dark hair, Good- looking, of course, dark hair,

rather matted;rather matted;the reddish beard several shades the reddish beard several shades

lighter;lighter;with very deep lines around the eyes,with very deep lines around the eyes,from pain, I'd guess, maybe laughter; from pain, I'd guess, maybe laughter; and a beautiful crimson mouth that and a beautiful crimson mouth that

obviously knewobviously knewhow to flatter... how to flatter... which I kissed... which I kissed... Colder than pewter. Colder than pewter. Strange. What was his name? Peter?Strange. What was his name? Peter?  

  

SalomeSalomeSimon? Andrew? John? J knew I'd feel betterSimon? Andrew? John? J knew I'd feel betterfor tea, dry toast, no butter,for tea, dry toast, no butter,so rang for the maid. so rang for the maid. And, indeed, her innocent clatterAnd, indeed, her innocent clatterof cups and plates, of cups and plates, her clearing of clutter,her clearing of clutter,her regional patter, her regional patter, were just what needed - were just what needed - hungover and wrecked as J was from a night hungover and wrecked as J was from a night

on the batter.on the batter.  

SalomeSalomeNever again! Never again! I needed to clean up my act, I needed to clean up my act, get fitter, get fitter, cut out the booze and the fags and the sex. cut out the booze and the fags and the sex. Yes. And as for the latter, Yes. And as for the latter, it was time to turf out the blighter, it was time to turf out the blighter, the beater or biter, the beater or biter, who'd come like a lamb to the slaughter who'd come like a lamb to the slaughter to Salome's bed.to Salome's bed.  

SalomeSalome

In tile mirror, I saw my eyes glitter. In tile mirror, I saw my eyes glitter. I flung back the sticky red sheets, I flung back the sticky red sheets, and there, like I said -and ain't life a and there, like I said -and ain't life a

bitch - bitch - was his head on a platter. was his head on a platter.   

SalomeSalome Now that you have read the poem.Now that you have read the poem.Answer the following questions.Answer the following questions. The poem is written as a persona-this means The poem is written as a persona-this means

in the voice of a character.in the voice of a character.1.1. How do we know we are listening to the How do we know we are listening to the

voice of Salome? Find an example.voice of Salome? Find an example.2.2. What type of person is Salome? Find What type of person is Salome? Find

evidence to support your ideas.evidence to support your ideas.3.3. Find examples of modern colloquial Find examples of modern colloquial

language. What is the effect of this?language. What is the effect of this?4.4. The poem uses onomatopoeia-highlight The poem uses onomatopoeia-highlight

an example.an example.

SalomeSalome

SalomeSalome Salome:Salome: Is there anything about Salome that makes her a good role Is there anything about Salome that makes her a good role

model for women? model for women? What kind of world makes women become like Salome and What kind of world makes women become like Salome and

behave as she does? behave as she does? How far is this really a very modern kind of story? How far is this really a very modern kind of story? How does Salome's outlook compare with Miss How does Salome's outlook compare with Miss

Havisham's? Havisham's? Does the poet, in your view, agree with Salome's view that Does the poet, in your view, agree with Salome's view that

life is “a bitch”? Does Salome think this, or is she making life is “a bitch”? Does Salome think this, or is she making an ironic statement of sympathy for her latest victim? an ironic statement of sympathy for her latest victim?

Few women really kill their lovers. But perhaps some think Few women really kill their lovers. But perhaps some think of doing so at times. How far, in your view, does this poem of doing so at times. How far, in your view, does this poem give an honest account of a common fantasy? give an honest account of a common fantasy?

SalomeSalome

SalomeSalome

Using your knowledge and Using your knowledge and what you have learnt during what you have learnt during this lesson of the persona of this lesson of the persona of Salome create a character Salome create a character profile of her in your English profile of her in your English bookbook

SalomeSalome

Appearance Actions

Personality Who she was