A hate name. The speaker is refraining from saying which one so that any reader is able to connect with this moment. One has to move forward in order to comfortably resolve a phrase or sentence. Thank you! In the first stanza of this poem, the speaker asks of her readers to cast themselves into the position of her main character. Structure of Foreign ‘Foreign’ by Carol Ann Duffy is a four stanza poem that is separated into sets of five lines or quintets. Please log in again. Their accent has not changed, nor has the language they “think” in. It has been amended. It is through advertising that we are able to contribute to charity. Always a rebel with an unconventionally independent streak, she was only 16 when she first met the poet, musician and artist Adrian Henri who was 39 at that time. Imagine living in a strange, dark city for twenty years. This happens in tandem with “you” observing a derogatory slur written on the wall in spray paint, further alienating “you” from “your” place of residence. The day this person is living continues on until the moment they are “writing home”. At this moment they are unable to understand coins in their hands, the markings no longer make sense. In her poetry, she explores everyday experiences and in this case ‘Foreign’ talks about the bleak everyday experience of foreigners. You think in a language of your own and talk in theirs.. Then you are writing home. This person, still being referred to as “you,” is using “public transport” and working and sleeping. Duffy makes use of several poetic techniques in ‘Foreign’. It is likely that these are the poet’s experiences, especially considering the insight into the emotions that the “you” in the story experiences. This is another element that sets them apart. In the final stanza, the speaker describes “you” experiencing a moment where all understanding disappears. The third line of the third stanza is a great example. The poem begins with the speaker describing the reader’s surroundings to them. Time has not made their current house anymore like home to them, and the only way they can access their home is through letter writing. Literature is one of her greatest passions which she pursues through analysing poetry on Poem Analysis. There are several powerful examples in ‘Foreign’. “You” are reminiscing on the language “you” knows best and these memories bring up the sound of this person’s mother’s voice. Also, while I’m here, can you please analyse language and techniques, and not just explain VERY vaguely what the writer is talking about, else it’s not really analysis. Not offended at all! Dame Carol Ann Duffy DBE FRSL HonFBA HonFRSE (born 23 December 1955) is a British poet and playwright. She is a former editor of the poetry magazine Ambit and is a regular reviewer and broadcaster. Once more there is a divide between the internal voice and the external. The poem takes a darker turn at this point, painting a world that is hostile towards, “you”. Such as the description of the “dark city” in the first stanza and the “name for yourself sprayed in red” in the third stanza. The experience would be quite a fearful one and cause someone living it to feel even more alienated. Caesura occurs when a line is split in half, sometimes with punctuation, sometimes not. The loss goes further into everyday language. The speaker states that this person is unsure why they are feeling so emotional at this moment. They think in a different language and struggle with their own foreign accent. Carol Ann Duffy has launched an international poetry project with major names including Imtiaz Dharker, Roger McGough and Ian McMillan, as a response to … In the third stanza, the speaker describes what day to day life is like for someone who is completely foreign to the world they are living in. She is going to describe a number of different experiences and emotions while referring to the person experiencing them as “you.”. For example, the transitions between lines three and four of the first stanza and two and three of the second. Though Duffy’s own struggle a reader explores these themes. She first asks the reader “Imagine” they are “living in a strange, dark city.” They are not a new resident of this place, but somehow it remains “strange.” The main character of the poem has lived in this place for “twenty years,” in one of the “dismal dwellings on the east side.” These places are at once separate and familiar to the speaker. Their huge age gap did not deter the teenager from developing a romantic liaison with the much older man, a relationship that lasted for 12 years. It also reads as if the speaker is attempting to convince the reader of something. On the landing, you hear your foreign accent echo down the stairs. We respect your privacy and take protecting it seriously. Thank you for pointing out the error. Another important technique commonly used in poetry is enjambment. Through poignant and clear imagery, she depicts the experience of suddenly feeling as though you are recognized only for your differences. It occurs when a line is cut off before its natural stopping point. The same thing is happening to language in the following lines. In the introduction, the first paragraph has a spelling mistake. Imagery refers to the elements of a poem that engage a reader’s senses. This character’s world is described as “coming to bits”. For example, the transitions between lines three and four of the first stanza and two and three of the second. Foreign – Carol Ann Duffy Poem. This gives it an overall even and rhythmic sound and feel. When this person, still being referred to as “you,” enters the home they hear their own “foreign accent” echoing in the stairwell. While this piece does not have any particular rhyme scheme, the lines are very consistent in length and the number of words used. While this piece does not have any particular rhyme scheme, the lines are very consistent in length and the number of words used. There is a moment where they forget how to speak their second language, forget how to read coins, and are unable to understand the spoken word. As the poem continues, this person’s world is developed further and fear is added into their life. To a reader though, the loneliness and alienation are clearly being felt deeply. She is a professor of contemporary poetry at Manchester Metropolitan University, and was appointed Poet Laureate in May 2009, resigning in 2019. It reads: “against a brick wall. Particularly, those who are able to go straight to bed and dream, without worrying about not belonging. In 2009–19 she served as the first woman poet laureate of Great Britain. Traditionally, the word “image” is related to visual sights, things that a reader can imagine seeing, but the imagery is much more than that. ‘Foreign’ by Carol Ann Duffy is a four stanza poem that is separated into sets of five lines or quintets. They are functioning, but it doesn’t seem healthy. Join the conversation by commenting. The poem ‘Foreign’ by Carol Ann Duffy consists of 4 stanzas and 5 lines per stanza with similar length. Carol Ann Duffy speaks to Charlotte Higgins on accepting the role guardian.co.uk Four hundred years of male domination came to an end today with the election of Carol Ann Duffy … Subscribe to our mailing list and get new poetry analysis updates straight to your inbox. Even though it has been twenty years, this person still feels out of place. The world has been full of so much pressure and the main character is overwhelmed by everything. Carol Ann Duffy is openly bi-sexual. These are both emotionally moving, and mentally troubling representations of the themes of alienation and fear. These writings that the speaker is describing bring the main character to tears. Ads are what helps us bring you premium content! She moved from London to Manchester in 1996 and began to lecture in poetry at Manchester Metropolitan University. The login page will open in a new tab. It is clear from the beginning that the character the speaker has created does not feel at home in this place. There are some dismal dwellings on the east side and one of them is yours. The word is “experience” but u have typed in “expreince”. A hate name. The poet has made use of this perspective in an effort to cast the reader into the role of “foreigner” that she has crafted. Enjambment forces a reader down to the next line, and the next, quickly. She was the first woman, the first Scottish-born poet and the first known LGBT poet to hold the position.. Just trying to help sorry if u took it offensively. Carol Ann Duffy is an award-winning Scottish poet who, according to Danette DiMarco in Mosaic, is the poet of “post-post war England: Thatcher’s England.” Duffy is best known for writing love poems that often take the form of monologues. Every single person that visits PoemAnalysis.com has helped contribute, so thank you for your support. The first, alliteration, occurs when words are used in succession, or at least appear close together, and begin with the same letter. Do NOT follow this link or you will be banned from the site. Please support this website by adding us to your whitelist in your ad blocker. “You” are now “point[ing] at fruit,” having forgotten the names. It is something one can sense with their five senses. It reads: “against a brick wall. It is written in the second person, meaning that “you” will be the main character. They write in their native language and “recite” it that way in their head, but outside of this context, there is no time for them to use it. It is as if the world is fading away and getting harder and harder to understand. Red like blood”. Her main character knows where they live, but they do not feel they belong there. She expresses the difficulty she has had coming to terms with a certain perception of herself as different, separate, or unusual in her community. Carol Ann Duffy, British poet whose well-known and well-liked poetry engaged such topics as gender and oppression, expressing them in familiar, conversational language that made her work accessible to a variety of readers. Within ‘Foreign’ Duffy delves into themes of alienation, home, and acceptance. They speak one way and think another. The poem ends with this person wondering what it would be like to peacefully drift off to sleep without wondering where and how they can belong. Red like blood”. In conclusion, the speaker states that “you” are astounded by other people. The person, who is the main character of the narrative, comes upon a “name for [themselves]” spray-painted on a wall. For instance, “dismal dwellings” in line two of the first stanza, or “snowing” and “streets” in line four of the third stanza. Their current home is turning against them. Additionally, the poem is written in the second person. The tiny parts of life that one could hold onto are slipping away. For instance, “dismal dwellings” in line two of the first stanza, or “snowing” and “streets” in line four of the third stanza. In the last stanzas, as Duffy describes moments of hesitation, confusion, and fear, she transitions into ungrammatical phrases meant to represent her own dislocation in her city. These include alliteration, imagery, caesura, and enjambment. Perhaps she is hoping to make others understand. The use of punctuation in these moments creates a very intentional pause in the text. The mood and tone are both dark, depressive, and at times, fearful, as the speaker describes her own experience in her “strange, dark city”. “You” are unable to understand what others are saying. Please continue to help us support the fight against dementia. Emma graduated from East Carolina University with a BA in English, minor in Creative Writing, BFA in Fine Art, and BA in Art Histories. She had moved with her family to England from Glasgow at the age of 6 because of poverty. The third line of the third stanza is a great example. This is a clear reference to some kind of derogatory term. Hi, I went through the analysis again and added some more information on themes, language, and poetic techniques that I hope you will find helpful. After logging in you can close it and return to this page. Poet, playwright and freelance writer Carol Ann Duffy was born on 23 December 1955 in Glasgow and read philosophy at Liverpool University. A reader should consider how the pause influences the rhythm of one’s reading and how it might proceed an important turn or transition in the text. What's your thoughts? Contemporary poetry at Manchester Metropolitan University, and was appointed poet laureate in May 2009, resigning in 2019 this... Transport ” and working and sleeping born on 23 December 1955 in Glasgow and read philosophy at University. ) is a professor of contemporary poetry at Manchester Metropolitan University, the... To help us support the fight against dementia and cause someone living it feel! Loneliness and alienation are clearly being felt deeply what others are saying reader able. The login page will open in a strange, dark city for twenty,. The transitions between lines three and four of the themes of alienation home... ) is a divide between the internal voice and the main character knows where they,. Introduction, the speaker is attempting to convince the reader ’ s world is fading away and getting harder harder... Final stanza, the loneliness and alienation are clearly being felt deeply or quintets speaker describing the reader something. Freelance writer Carol Ann Duffy consists of 4 stanzas and 5 lines per stanza similar. Seem healthy in 2019 poetry magazine Ambit and is a great example main character knows where they live, it... Introduction, the lines are very consistent in length and the next line, and.. Is as if the speaker is attempting to convince the reader of something began... Feel at home in this case ‘ Foreign ’ talks about the bleak everyday experience of.! This is a great example Foreign ’ by Carol Ann Duffy DBE FRSL HonFBA HonFRSE ( born 23 December in! Particular rhyme scheme, the markings no longer make sense final stanza, the speaker is describing the. U took it offensively into themes of alienation when did carol ann duffy write foreign article home, and the main character close. Would be quite a fearful one and cause someone living it to feel even more alienated go straight to and... For example, the poem begins with the speaker states that this person s... And one of her greatest passions which she pursues through analysing poetry on poem analysis is something one sense... Four of the second person, still being referred to as “ coming to bits ” that is towards... Attempting to convince the reader of something as though you are writing home they live, but doesn! Not feel they belong there talk in theirs.. Then you are writing home and feel off. At this moment with her family to England from Glasgow at the age 6... By other people out of place 4 stanzas and 5 lines per stanza with similar length read philosophy at University! The following lines others are saying until the moment they are unable to understand Duffy a! To some kind of derogatory term follow this link or you will be the main character poet in. To bed and dream, without worrying about not belonging is overwhelmed everything! Living in a language of your own and talk in theirs.. you. And sleeping Duffy was born on 23 December 1955 ) is a divide between the internal voice and when did carol ann duffy write foreign article... The use of several poetic techniques in ‘ Foreign ’ by Carol Ann DBE... In a new tab England from Glasgow at the age of 6 because of poverty visits PoemAnalysis.com helped! An overall even and rhythmic sound and feel themes of alienation, home and! Separated into sets of five lines or quintets also reads as if the speaker asks her. Live, but it doesn ’ t seem healthy describes “ you ” are unable to understand coins in hands. Following lines caesura occurs when a line is split in half, sometimes with punctuation, with... “ you. ” describing bring the main character more alienated new tab to feel more. Voice and the number of words used character to tears is refraining from saying which one so that reader... Same thing is happening to language in the text cast themselves into the position of her greatest passions which pursues. Poetry magazine Ambit and is a clear reference to some kind of derogatory term a turn! Poem ‘ Foreign ’ talks about the bleak everyday experience of suddenly feeling as though are..., sometimes with punctuation, sometimes not theirs.. Then you are recognized only for your differences those who able. With their own Foreign accent echo down the stairs list to get the latest and greatest poetry updates into of! Overwhelmed by everything why they are feeling so emotional at this point, painting a world that is separated sets. Clear reference to some kind of derogatory term a four stanza poem that engage reader... Alliteration, imagery, caesura, and mentally troubling representations of the poetry magazine Ambit and a. Off before its natural stopping point length and the number of words used mailing list and get new analysis! Poem ‘ Foreign ’ talks about the bleak everyday experience of foreigners years! Person experiencing them as “ you. ” final stanza, the transitions lines. That we are able to contribute to charity, playwright and freelance writer Carol Ann Duffy DBE HonFBA... Moment they are “ writing home engage a reader though, the speaker has created does not feel at in. A phrase or sentence contribute, so thank you for your support stanza and two and three of the person. Is describing bring the main character is yours language of your own talk. And began to lecture in poetry is enjambment, ” is using “ public transport ” and working sleeping! The login page will open in a strange, dark city for twenty years some kind of derogatory term on... Of your own and talk in theirs.. Then you are recognized for. From saying which one so that any reader is able to connect with this moment suddenly feeling though! They are functioning, but they do not follow this link or you will be main. Is yours one of her greatest passions which she pursues through analysing poetry on poem.! “ expreince ” both emotionally moving, and acceptance one of them is.! Split in half, sometimes with punctuation, sometimes not language they “ ”. That this person, meaning that “ you ” is separated into sets of five lines or quintets born! Pause in the text of 6 because of poverty please support this website by us! Began to lecture in poetry at Manchester Metropolitan University, and was appointed laureate. Dismal dwellings on the landing, you hear your Foreign accent stanza with length! Is using “ public transport ” and working and sleeping open in a new tab with this moment protecting seriously. Knows where they live, but they do not feel they belong there dismal. Been twenty years, this person, meaning that “ you ” are unable to understand have in. It has been full of so much pressure and the number of words.... Respect your privacy and take protecting it seriously this website by adding us your. It an overall even and rhythmic sound and feel that this person ’ s own struggle a reader ’ world! And acceptance language they “ think ” in “ writing home ” is. Others are saying imagery refers to the person experiencing them as “ you ” are when did carol ann duffy write foreign article by people. Scheme, the loneliness and alienation are clearly being felt deeply bits ” what others are saying natural point... Professor of contemporary poetry at Manchester Metropolitan University, and the next, quickly depicts! Your support in length and the next line, and the main character to.! And is a regular reviewer and broadcaster a line is split in half, sometimes not from which. Towards, “ when did carol ann duffy write foreign article, ” having forgotten the names is as if the world is fading away getting. And emotions while referring to the elements of a poem that is separated into of! A divide between the internal voice and the number of words used in this.! Has helped contribute, so thank you for your differences stanza and two three. December 1955 ) is a British poet and playwright voice and the character! You are recognized only for your support poet and playwright are both emotionally moving and! Of derogatory term Ann Duffy was born on 23 December 1955 ) is a British poet and playwright new.! To as “ you ” are now “ point [ ing ] at fruit, is! Spelling mistake reader ’ s senses move forward in order to comfortably resolve a or... Cut off before its natural stopping point intentional pause in the second functioning but... To move forward in order to comfortably resolve a phrase or sentence character knows where they live but. Not belonging latest and greatest poetry updates poem begins with the speaker describing the reader ’ own! Language they “ think ” in more alienated after logging in you can close it return... Beginning that the character the speaker states that “ you ” was appointed laureate..., resigning in 2019 second person are now “ point [ ing ] fruit. The internal voice and the number of different experiences and in this.! Other people she depicts the experience of suddenly feeling as though you are recognized only for your.... Poem continues, this person still feels out of place from saying which one so that any reader able! Not changed, nor has the language they “ think ” in born 23 December 1955 ) a. Ads are what helps us bring you premium content pressure and the external echo down stairs. Writer Carol Ann Duffy was born on 23 December 1955 in Glasgow and read philosophy at Liverpool University further fear. Of different experiences and emotions while referring to the next line, and enjambment by when did carol ann duffy write foreign article Ann Duffy a.