Synopses & Reviews
If the post of Poet Laureate was allocated on the basis of popularity, Carol Ann Duffy would have been the first woman to hold this prestigious post. Like Philip Larkin in his day, Duffy is both a poet respected by many academics and teachers, and widely read and enjoyed by children and adult readers of poetry. This is the first full-length collection of essays on the poetry of Carol Ann Duffy, approaching and exploring her work from a variety of literary theoretical perspectives, including feminism, masculinity, national identity, and post-structuralism. This lively anthology situates Duffy's poems in relation to current debates about the state, value and social relevance of contemporary British poetry.
Synopsis
The first full-length collection of essays on the poetry of Carol Ann Duffy. Duffy's poetry is both respected by academics, and widely read and enjoyed by both children and adults. Approaches Duffy's work from a variety of literary theoretical perspectives, including feminism, masculinity, national identity and post-structuralism. Situates Duffy's work in relation to current debates about the state, value and social relevance of contemporary British poetry. Will become the benchmark anthology on Duffy.
Synopsis
Like Philip Larkin in his day, Duffy is both a poet respected by many academics and teachers and widely read and enjoyed by children and adults. This collection of essays on the poetry of Carol Ann Duffy approaches and explores her work from a variety of literary theoretical perspectives, including feminism, masculinity, national identity and post-structuralism. This anthology situates Duffy's poems in relation to debates about the state, value and social relevance of contemporary British poetry. Issues addressed include: why Duffy's poetry is so popular; the importance of national identity to her writing; whether Duffy's work is part of a feminist tradition of writing; and whether her work is anathema to men. Comprehensive, engaging and accessible, this text should be of value to scholars, teachers and students in the fields on contemporary poetry and critical studies.
About the Author
Angelica Michelis is Senior Lecturer in the Department of English at the Manchester Metropolitan University.
Antony Rowland is Senior Lecturer in English at the University of Salford.
Table of Contents
Duffy, Eliot and Impersonality--Neil Roberts * Female Metamorphoses: Carol Ann Duffy's 'Ovid'--Jeffrey Wainwright * Love and Masculinity in the Poetry of Carol Ann Duffy--Antony Rowland * 'Me Know Not What these People Mean': Gender and National Identity in Carol Ann Duffy's Poetry--Angelica Michelis * 'Small Female Skull': Patriarchy and Philosophy in the Poetry of Carol Ann Duffy--Avril Horner * 'The Chant of Magic Words Repeatedly': Gender as Linguistic Act in the Poetry of Carol Ann Duffy--Jane Thomas * "What Like is It?": Duffy's 'Différence'--Stan Smith * "What it is Like in Words": Translation, Reflection and Refraction in the Poetry of Carol Ann Duffy--Michael Woods * 'Skeleton, Moon, Poet': Carol Ann Duffy's Postmodern Poetry for Children--Eva Mueller-Zettelmann