Symbolism and Mythology in the Poetry of Carol Ann Duffy
Introduction
A. Background information on Carol Ann Duffy
B. Importance of symbolism and mythology in poetry
C. Thesis statement: Carol Ann Duffy's use of symbolism and mythology adds depth and
complexity to her poetry, allowing her to explore a wide range of themes and ideas.
II. Overview of Symbolism and Mythology in Duffy's Poetry
A. Definition of symbolism and mythology
B. Examples of symbols and myths used in Duffy's poetry
C. Significance of these symbols and myths to Duffy's themes and messages
III. Symbolism and Mythology in Selected Poems
A. "The World's Wife"
1. Use of mythology to reimagine the stories of famous women
2. Analysis of the symbolism used in "Mrs. Midas"
B. "The Bees"
1. Use of bee symbolism to explore themes of community and survival
2. Analysis of the symbolism used in "Virgil's Bees"
C. "Rapture"
1. Use of Christian symbolism to explore themes of love and loss
2. Analysis of the symbolism used in "The Love Poem"
IV. Duffy's Use of Symbolism and Mythology in Relationship to Her Poetic Vision
A. Duffy's understanding of the function of poetry
B. How symbolism and mythology serve Duffy's poetic vision
C. The way in which Duffy's use of symbolism and mythology enables her to explore
contemporary issues.
V. Conclusion
A. Recap of the significance of symbolism and mythology in Duffy's poetry
B. Discussion of how the use of symbolism and mythology contributes to Duffy's overall
poetic style and vision
C. Final thoughts on the importance of studying Duffy's poetry in relation to symbolism and
mythology.
Possible sources for this project could include Duffy's poetry collections, as well as critical
essays and articles that analyze her use of symbolism and mythology. Additionally, exploring
the historical and cultural contexts of the symbols and myths that Duffy employs could help
to shed light on their significance to her work.
1. Duffy, Carol Ann. The World's Wife. London: Picador, 1999. This collection of poems
offers a feminist revision of famous historical and mythological figures, and could
provide valuable examples of the use of mythology in Duffy's work.
2. Duffy, Carol Ann. Rapture. London: Picador, 2005. This collection of love poems
incorporates Christian imagery and symbolism, offering a rich ground for analysis of
Duffy's use of mythology and religious symbolism.
3. Duffy, Carol Ann. The Bees. London: Picador, 2011. This collection of poems uses bee
imagery and symbolism to explore themes of community and survival, and could
provide a fruitful focus for analysis of Duffy's use of natural symbolism.
4. Glover, Jane. "Beyond Revisionism: Reassessing Carol Ann Duffy's The World's Wife."
Women's Writing 8, no. 1 (2001): 27-41. This article offers a critical analysis of
Duffy's use of mythological revisionism in The World's Wife, considering the ways in
which she challenges patriarchal narratives and constructs a new feminist
mythology.
5. O'Neill, Michael. "Rapture, Religion, and Ritual in Carol Ann Duffy's Poetry." Religion
and the Arts 18, no. 5 (2014): 656-76. This essay explores the role of religion in
Duffy's poetry, considering the ways in which she incorporates Christian symbolism
and mythology into her work.
6. Sarnowski, Marek. "Nature in the Poetry of Carol Ann Duffy." European Journal of
English Studies 11, no. 1 (2007): 57-69. This article examines the role of nature in
Duffy's poetry, considering the use of natural symbolism and mythology as a means
of exploring human experience and emotion.
7. Topping, Alexandra. "The Bees by Carol Ann Duffy: A Feminist Environmental
Poetry?" Feminist Review 110, no. 1 (2015): 112-15. This review of The Bees offers a
feminist perspective on Duffy's use of bee imagery and natural symbolism,
considering the ways in which she explores gender, power, and the environment.
These sources offer a range of perspectives on Duffy's poetry and the use of symbolism and
mythology in her work. By consulting a variety of texts, you can build a rich and nuanced
understanding of Duffy's poetry and its significance.