Row

1. Row Amy and Em

2. Carol Ann Duffy’s use of the word ‘but’ could be considered to be a ‘sign post’ within the collection of her poems as the poem itself comes after two poems which indicate the height of relationship for both the speaker and lover. Elegy the previous poem explores the idea of a realistic love and how its come somewhat back ‘down to earth’ and the harsh constanant sound of the word ‘but’ highlights the volta which has occurred both in the collection but also in their relationship.

3. Another key theme prevalent in ‘Row’ is the vicissitudes, or the change between love and hate which the poem explores. ‘...love turned, and ran, and cowered in our heads’ reinforces the volta already shown by the word ‘but’ and could show the high temprament of both characters which has so far been overshadowed by their clear passion for each other.

4. There is a clear emphasis placed on the use of metaphors with naturistic connotations. The quotation ‘the air hurt and purpled like a bruise’ highlights the amount of emotion present in the situation and how it has effected not only them but what surrounds them. The colour purple also insinuates a deeper and more sinister feeling which sets the tone for the rest of the poem. Not only has nature been effected but a bruise is a physical abrasion taking the focus back to reality and the people involved.

5. Duffy uses various adjectives such as , ‘jagged’ ‘burned’ and ‘ripped’ to draw attention to the effect that the speaker and lover feel after their argument. It not only has an emotional impact but a physical. • The regularity of the four quatrains along side the use of repetition of the words ‘the’, ‘our’ and ‘but’ and the regular punctuation indicate that despite the negative connotations the argument is having on their relationship it is normal within a relationship for an argument to occur.