Page 2: Second Stanza Analysis

The second page delves into the analysis of the poem's second stanza, which reveals the deterioration of Miss Havisham's mental state as she clings to her traumatic past. The analysis focuses on the vivid imagery and poetic techniques used to convey the speaker's isolation and psychological crisis.

The stanza begins with the powerful one-word sentence "Spinster," which the analysis suggests is delivered as if spat out, emphasizing the speaker's bitterness towards her self-imposed title. This isolation is further reinforced by the structure of the line, separating it from the rest of the stanza.

Highlight: The use of "Spinster" as a standalone sentence emphasizes Miss Havisham's isolation and resentment towards her unmarried status.

The analysis points out the use of sibilance in the line "Spinster. I stink and remember," noting how the 's' sounds emulate a hissing noise, highlighting the anger the speaker feels. The word choice "stink" is also discussed, with its animalistic connotations suggesting a primal, visceral response to her memories.

Vocabulary: Sibilance - the repetition of soft consonant sounds, such as 's' or 'sh', to create a hissing effect in speech or writing.

The poem's depiction of the speaker's physical environment is examined, with attention drawn to the yellowing dress and trembling wardrobe. These details are interpreted as symbols of decay and the passage of time, showing how long the speaker has been isolated.

Example: "the dress / yellowing, trembling if I open the wardrobe" vividly illustrates the decay of Miss Havisham's wedding attire and her reluctance to confront her past.

The analysis also discusses the use of enjambment throughout the stanza, noting how it highlights the length of the speaker's days and the extent of her mourning. The broken syntax and disjointed imagery are seen as reflections of Miss Havisham's psychological instability and confusion.

Quote: "Whole days / in bed cawing Nooooo at the wall"

Finally, the page examines the distorted mirror imagery, interpreting it as a representation of the speaker's inability to recognize herself and her state of psychological crisis. This powerful metaphor encapsulates the theme of lost identity that runs throughout the poem.

Page 3: Third Stanza Analysis

The third page of the analysis focuses on the poem's third stanza, which delves deeper into Miss Havisham's conflicted emotions and the blurring of lines between love and hate. The analysis examines the vivid imagery, word choice, and poetic techniques used to convey the speaker's complex psychological state.

The stanza opens with a continuation from the previous one, using enjambment to emphasize the speaker's ongoing suffering. The analysis points out how this technique mirrors the relentless nature of Miss Havisham's emotional turmoil.

Highlight: The use of enjambment between stanzas reinforces the idea that Miss Havisham's pain is continuous and unending.

The analysis discusses the powerful imagery of "Puce curses that are sounds not words," interpreting the color puce (a purplish-brown) as reminiscent of bruises and wounds. This is seen as a form of synesthesia, linking color to emotional and physical pain.

Vocabulary: Synesthesia - a perceptual phenomenon in which stimulation of one sensory or cognitive pathway leads to involuntary experiences in a second sensory or cognitive pathway.

The speaker's dreams are examined, with the analysis noting the sexual undertones and the dehumanization of the former fiancé. The phrase "lost body over me" is interpreted as both a reference to the loss of the relationship and a reduction of the man to merely a physical form.

Quote: "Some nights better, the lost body over me, / my fluent tongue in its mouth in its ear"

The analysis points out the use of present tense throughout the stanza, suggesting that the speaker's anger has not abated over time. This persistent rage is further emphasized by the violent imagery of suddenly biting awake.

Example: The line "then down till I suddenly bite awake" illustrates the abrupt shift from pleasant memories to bitter reality.

The page concludes by examining the oxymoron created by the enjambment of "Love's / hate," highlighting the thin line between these intense emotions in Miss Havisham's experience. This juxtaposition is seen as a key theme in the poem, illustrating how quickly the speaker's feelings transformed from love to hatred.

Page 4: Final Stanza and Conclusion

The fourth page of the analysis examines the final stanza of "Havisham," focusing on the culmination of the speaker's emotional journey and the powerful imagery used to convey her psychological state. The analysis delves into the violent and conflicting emotions expressed through vivid metaphors and poetic techniques.

The stanza opens with the striking image of "hate behind a white veil," which the analysis interprets as a subversion of traditional wedding symbolism. The juxtaposition of the white veil (typically associated with purity) and hate emphasizes the corruption of Miss Havisham's once-hopeful love.

Highlight: The contrast between the white veil and the speaker's hatred powerfully illustrates the transformation of her emotions from love to bitterness.

The analysis examines the violent imagery of "a red balloon bursting / in my face," interpreting it as a metaphor for the sudden, shocking end of the speaker's relationship. The use of the color red is noted for its associations with both passion and rage.

Example: The bursting red balloon could symbolize the abrupt end of Miss Havisham's hopes and dreams, as well as her explosive anger.

The poem's violent tone continues with the line "I stabbed at a wedding-cake," which the analysis sees as a literal expression of anger towards the failed marriage and a metaphorical rejection of the institution of marriage itself.

Quote: "Bang. I stabbed at a wedding-cake."

The analysis discusses the dark humor and irony in the line "Give me a male corpse for a long slow honeymoon," noting how it subverts the usually happy associations of a honeymoon. This is interpreted as a further expression of the speaker's desire for revenge and her dehumanization of her former fiancé.

Vocabulary: Subversion - the undermining of the power and authority of an established system or institution.

The final line of the poem, "Don't think it's only the heart that b-b-b-breaks," is given particular attention. The analysis points out the use of alliteration and onomatopoeia in the stuttering "b" sound, interpreting it as a representation of the speaker's emotional breakdown. This line is seen as a powerful conclusion, suggesting that Miss Havisham's entire being, not just her heart, has been shattered by her experience.

Highlight: The stuttering "b-b-b-breaks" in the final line audibly represents the fragmentation of Miss Havisham's psyche, emphasizing the totality of her emotional devastation.

In conclusion, the analysis emphasizes how the final stanza brings together the themes of love, hate, revenge, and psychological deterioration that run throughout the poem. Through its vivid imagery and powerful poetic techniques, "Havisham" offers a haunting portrayal of a woman consumed by bitterness and trapped in her traumatic past.

Page 1: Introduction and First Stanza Analysis

The first page of the analysis focuses on the opening stanza of Carol Ann Duffy's poem "Havisham". It examines the powerful language and poetic techniques used to introduce the speaker's emotional state.

The analysis begins by highlighting the directness of the poem's address, emphasizing that there is no ambiguity about who the speaker is talking to. The use of an expletive in the first line reveals the force of the speaker's anger and bitterness.

Highlight: The opening line, "Beloved sweetheart bastard," immediately sets the tone for the poem, combining terms of endearment with an insult.

The analysis points out the use of alliteration, specifically the plosive 'b' sound, which further emphasizes the speaker's bitterness and aggression. Enjambment is also noted, suggesting that the speaker's desire for revenge is so overwhelming that it cannot be contained within a single line.

Example: The line "Prayed for it / so hard I've dark green pebbles for eyes" demonstrates enjambment, with the sentence continuing across line breaks.

The color green is discussed, with its connotations of both jealousy and mold or decay. This creates an oxymoron that reveals the speaker's conflicted emotions of love and hate.

Vocabulary: Oxymoron - a figure of speech in which apparently contradictory terms appear in conjunction.

The analysis also notes the use of metaphors, such as "dark green pebbles for eyes" and "ropes on the back of my hands," which vividly illustrate the speaker's emotional and physical state.

Quote: "I've dark green pebbles for eyes, / ropes on the back of my hands I could strangle with."

Finally, the page touches on the speaker's loss of identity, as she is caught between being "Mrs" and "Miss," highlighting her liminal status in society due to her jilted bride situation.