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The Representation of Men in Carol Ann Duffy's "Mrs Midas" and "Valentine"

This analysis explores how men are portrayed in Carol Ann Duffy's poems "Mrs Midas" and "Valentine." In "Mrs Midas," the imagery of wealth and dominance reflects traditional masculinity, while the woman's perspective adds layers of complexity to this representation. In "Valentine," Duffy critiques love and possession through powerful metaphors. Additionally, Duffy's personal relationship with poet Adrian Henri, marked by unfaithfulness and contrasting values, influences her portrayal of men, shaping her poetic exploration of love and betrayal.

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The Representation of Men in Carol Ann Duffy's "Mrs Midas" and "Valentine"

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  1. Representation of Men In the poems Mrs. Midas and Valentine by Carol Ann Duffy

  2. Mrs Midas • “while the vegetables cooked… He was standing under the pear tree snapping a twig” • “it sat in his palm like a light bulb… Is he putting fairy lights in the tree?” • “He sat in that chair like a king on a burnished throne” • “Strange, wild, vain” • “He toyed with his spoon, then mine… He asked where was the wine” • “the kiss that would turn my lips to a work of art” • “the fool who wished for gold”

  3. Valentine • “It will blind you with tears like a lover.” • “It will make your reflection a wobbling photo of grief. “ • “possessive and faithful as we are, for as long as we are.” • “a wedding ring, if you like. Lethal.” • “Its scent will cling to your fingers, cling to your knife”

  4. Relation to Duffy’s personal life • Met and had a relationship with poet Adrian Henri at age 16 (Henri is around 25 years older than Duffy) • Described him as - “…great. It was all poetry, very heady, and he was never faithful. He thought poets had a duty to be unfaithful.“ • His life style was a huge contrast to Duffy’s upbringing as a Roman Catholic, which without a doubt became an influence to Duffy’s representation of men in her poems.

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