Viewing the anthology as a whole

Why has Duffy decided to put her poems in the order they appear in the anthology? What story is she telling? In
your groups, complete the grid, and then individually answer the following question (write about a side of A4):
What links are there between the first and last poems of The World’s Wife and how are they fitting as
the introduction and the conclusion to the anthology as a whole?

Poem(s) Main themes / Imagery

Coming of age – losing virginity. Women appropriating the power (language) that men
Little Red-Cap
once had. Revives female poets previously hidden – gives them a voice.
Thetis

Queen Herod

Mrs Midas

From Mrs Tiresias

Pilate’s wife

Mrs Aesop

Mrs Darwin

Mrs Sisyphus

Mrs Faust

Delilah

Anne Hathaway

Queen Kong

Mrs Quasimodo

Medusa

The Devil’s wife

Circe

Mrs Lazarus

Pygmalion’s Bride

Mrs Rip Van Winkle

Mrs Icarus

Frau Freud

Salome

Eurydice

The Kray Sisters

Elvis’ Twin sister

Pope Joan

Penelope

Mrs Beast
Women independent – don’t need men. Strength of mother/daughter relationship and
Demeter bond between women. Female reproductive cycle linked to nature – the moon, spring,
fertility. New hope – future generation of intelligent and eloquent women.
Homework: Select which poems you would choose discuss if you were faced with the
following questions and write a couple of bullet points for each poem to say why you have
selected it:
1.In Mrs Darwin, Duffy uses humour in order to challenge history’s view of Darwin’s theory of evolution.
Choosing three more poems, comment on how Duffy uses humour to promote her viewpoint to the reader.

2.“Duffy presents male/female relationships as being essentially flawed and that it is usually women who find
themselves suffering for this.” How do you respond to this statement? Refer to at least 3 poems in your
response.

3.In telling the story of Samson and Delilah from a female perspective (in Delilah), Duffy offers the reader a
new insight into a biblical story. Using this and two other poems of your choosing, comment on how Duffy
offers new perspectives on Bible stories.

4.“In rewriting traditional children’s tales, Duffy is attempting to redress the origins of many of the stereotypes
that she sees as impacting on women’s lives in the 21st century.” What evidence can you find in at least 3
of her poems to support this viewpoint?

5.How does Duffy bring an air of tragedy to the stories of women who were previously condemned or
ignored?

6.Ranging throughout the anthology, or focussing on three poems of your choice, comment on how Duffy
creates contrasting and distinctive female voices.

7.“The prevailing mood throughout the anthology is one of anger.” Referring to at least 3 poems in your
response, comment on how Duffy creates this mood of anger.

8.“The most successful of all of Duffy’s poems in the collection are her love poems.” With reference to at
least three of her poems, comment on how successfully you think Duffy writes about love.

9.“One of Duffy’s greatest achievements is in allowing us to sympathise with characters who are traditionally
thought of as embodying evil.” Comment on this statement, referring to at least 3 of her poems.