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Britain & the wider world: 1745 -1901
1l the quest for political stability: germany, 1871-1991
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30
0
Rachael McKay
03/12/2025
English
Carol Ann Duffy Key Quotes
1,181
•
3 Dec 2025
•
Rachael McKay
@rachaelmckay06
Carol Ann Duffy's poetry explores universal themes through deeply personal... Show more
Ever wondered what it feels like to leave everything familiar behind? Duffy captures the emotional journey of emigration through a child's eyes, showing how displacement affects our sense of belonging.
The metaphor "All childhood is an emigration" reveals that growing up itself is a journey from one place to another - we're all constantly leaving parts of ourselves behind. The simile "My parent's anxiety stirred like a loose tooth" brilliantly captures how family fears become something you can't ignore, always there, always uncomfortable.
Personification appears in "the eyes of a blind toy, holding its paw" - even childhood possessions seem lost and confused. The speaker desperately wants "our own country," showing how displacement creates a longing for belonging that goes beyond just missing a place.
Remember: The poem uses identity, loss, childhood, and isolation as central themes. Focus on how Duffy shows that change - whether moving countries or growing up - always involves losing something precious.
Forget everything you think you know about love poems - Duffy's unconventional love gift challenges romantic clichés head-on. Instead of "a red rose or a satin heart," she offers something far more honest and complex.
The extended metaphor of the onion works brilliantly because it's layered (literally!). "It will blind you with tears like a lover" shows how love can be painful and overwhelming. The "fierce kiss will stay on your lips, possessive and faithful" uses metaphor to suggest relationships can be controlling, not just romantic.
The imagery gets darker as "platinum loops shrink to a wedding ring" - notice how "shrink" suggests feeling trapped rather than celebrated. The final word "Lethal" stands alone as a short sentence, making love seem genuinely dangerous.
Remember: Focus on how Duffy uses the onion to show realistic relationship dynamics - the good, bad, and complicated bits that traditional love poems ignore.
Picture this: you're developing photos of unimaginable suffering while sitting safely in England. Duffy explores the moral complexity of documenting war and how we consume tragic news from a distance.
The religious imagery "as though this were a church and he a priest" creates a powerful contrast - the photographer treats his work with sacred reverence, but he's processing images of violence that challenge any faith in humanity. "Belfast. Beirut. Phnom Penh" uses short sentences to emphasise these places where pain and tragedy have unfolded.
Biblical references like "All flesh is grass" remind us how fragile life is. The contrast between England's "ordinary pain" of weather and children running through minefields shows how privileged we are. The editor will only "pick out five or six" photos from hundreds - showing how we barely scratch the surface of global suffering.
Remember: The half-formed ghost metaphor shows how these images haunt the photographer. Focus on how Duffy explores our disconnection from distant tragedies.
What happens when your husband's wish comes true but ruins everything you love about him? Duffy retells the King Midas myth from his wife's perspective, focusing on how selfishness destroys relationships.
The ironic metaphor "heart of gold" usually sounds lovely, but here it's literally deadly. Short sentences like "Separate beds" show the blunt reality - his golden touch has killed their intimacy. The word choice "lack of thought for me. Pure selfishness" creates sympathy for Mrs Midas while emphasising her anger.
Repetition in "his hands, his warm hands" shows what she misses most - simple human contact. The contrast between "warm" and the cold touch of gold highlights how greed has consequences that go far beyond what Midas imagined.
Remember: Focus on how the list "unwrapping each other, rapidly, like presents" shows what their relationship used to be like - spontaneous, exciting, alive. Now it's all gone because of one selfish wish.
Remember that magical primary school teacher who made learning feel like an adventure? Duffy captures both the wonder of childhood education and the inevitable loss of innocence that comes with growing up.
The simile "The classroom glowed like a sweetshop" perfectly captures how everything felt colourful and exciting. Word choice like "chanted" suggests the comfort and security of routine, while "chalky pyramids" shows how ancient history felt real and immediate to young minds.
But notice how the tone shifts - "a rough boy told you how you were born" marks the moment when childhood innocence begins to crack. "That feverish July" uses pathetic fallacy to mirror the emotional discomfort of growing up and approaching puberty.
Remember: The personification "laugh of a bell" shows childhood's joy, while "heavy, sexy sky" signals the confusion of adolescence approaching. Focus on this transition from security to uncertainty.
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
App Store
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
Rachael McKay
@rachaelmckay06
Carol Ann Duffy's poetry explores universal themes through deeply personal experiences, examining how we navigate relationships, identity, and growing up. Her powerful use of literary techniques brings complex emotions to life in ways that feel both intimate and relatable.
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Ever wondered what it feels like to leave everything familiar behind? Duffy captures the emotional journey of emigration through a child's eyes, showing how displacement affects our sense of belonging.
The metaphor "All childhood is an emigration" reveals that growing up itself is a journey from one place to another - we're all constantly leaving parts of ourselves behind. The simile "My parent's anxiety stirred like a loose tooth" brilliantly captures how family fears become something you can't ignore, always there, always uncomfortable.
Personification appears in "the eyes of a blind toy, holding its paw" - even childhood possessions seem lost and confused. The speaker desperately wants "our own country," showing how displacement creates a longing for belonging that goes beyond just missing a place.
Remember: The poem uses identity, loss, childhood, and isolation as central themes. Focus on how Duffy shows that change - whether moving countries or growing up - always involves losing something precious.
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Forget everything you think you know about love poems - Duffy's unconventional love gift challenges romantic clichés head-on. Instead of "a red rose or a satin heart," she offers something far more honest and complex.
The extended metaphor of the onion works brilliantly because it's layered (literally!). "It will blind you with tears like a lover" shows how love can be painful and overwhelming. The "fierce kiss will stay on your lips, possessive and faithful" uses metaphor to suggest relationships can be controlling, not just romantic.
The imagery gets darker as "platinum loops shrink to a wedding ring" - notice how "shrink" suggests feeling trapped rather than celebrated. The final word "Lethal" stands alone as a short sentence, making love seem genuinely dangerous.
Remember: Focus on how Duffy uses the onion to show realistic relationship dynamics - the good, bad, and complicated bits that traditional love poems ignore.
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Picture this: you're developing photos of unimaginable suffering while sitting safely in England. Duffy explores the moral complexity of documenting war and how we consume tragic news from a distance.
The religious imagery "as though this were a church and he a priest" creates a powerful contrast - the photographer treats his work with sacred reverence, but he's processing images of violence that challenge any faith in humanity. "Belfast. Beirut. Phnom Penh" uses short sentences to emphasise these places where pain and tragedy have unfolded.
Biblical references like "All flesh is grass" remind us how fragile life is. The contrast between England's "ordinary pain" of weather and children running through minefields shows how privileged we are. The editor will only "pick out five or six" photos from hundreds - showing how we barely scratch the surface of global suffering.
Remember: The half-formed ghost metaphor shows how these images haunt the photographer. Focus on how Duffy explores our disconnection from distant tragedies.
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
What happens when your husband's wish comes true but ruins everything you love about him? Duffy retells the King Midas myth from his wife's perspective, focusing on how selfishness destroys relationships.
The ironic metaphor "heart of gold" usually sounds lovely, but here it's literally deadly. Short sentences like "Separate beds" show the blunt reality - his golden touch has killed their intimacy. The word choice "lack of thought for me. Pure selfishness" creates sympathy for Mrs Midas while emphasising her anger.
Repetition in "his hands, his warm hands" shows what she misses most - simple human contact. The contrast between "warm" and the cold touch of gold highlights how greed has consequences that go far beyond what Midas imagined.
Remember: Focus on how the list "unwrapping each other, rapidly, like presents" shows what their relationship used to be like - spontaneous, exciting, alive. Now it's all gone because of one selfish wish.
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Remember that magical primary school teacher who made learning feel like an adventure? Duffy captures both the wonder of childhood education and the inevitable loss of innocence that comes with growing up.
The simile "The classroom glowed like a sweetshop" perfectly captures how everything felt colourful and exciting. Word choice like "chanted" suggests the comfort and security of routine, while "chalky pyramids" shows how ancient history felt real and immediate to young minds.
But notice how the tone shifts - "a rough boy told you how you were born" marks the moment when childhood innocence begins to crack. "That feverish July" uses pathetic fallacy to mirror the emotional discomfort of growing up and approaching puberty.
Remember: The personification "laugh of a bell" shows childhood's joy, while "heavy, sexy sky" signals the confusion of adolescence approaching. Focus on this transition from security to uncertainty.
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
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Transform this note into: ✓ 50+ Practice Questions ✓ Interactive Flashcards ✓ Full Mock Exam ✓ Essay Outlines
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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
Sociology