Carol Ann Duffy's "Havisham" is a powerful dramatic monologue that... Show more
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Aimee Mair
05/08/2025
English
Higher English Havisham Essay introductions for different questions
217
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5 Aug 2025
•
Havisham Poem Fun: Why Miss Havisham is a Big Deal in Carol Ann Duffy's Poem
Aimee Mair
@aimeemair
Exploring Emotions and Character in "Havisham"
The second page of the transcript delves deeper into the emotional landscape of "Havisham" and its relevance to various exam questions. The poem is particularly noted for its exploration of powerful emotions, with anger being the predominant feeling conveyed throughout the monologue.
Highlight: Anger is identified as the main emotion explored in "Havisham," stemming from the character's experience of being jilted at the altar.
The character of Miss Havisham, as portrayed by Duffy, is shown to be deeply affected by her past trauma. Her desire for revenge against men is a central theme, reflecting the lasting impact of her betrayal. This portrayal aligns with the original character from Dickens' "Great Expectations," but Duffy's poem offers a more intimate look into Miss Havisham's inner turmoil.
Example: The poem's exploration of anger and desire for revenge can be seen in lines such as "Whole days / in bed cawing Nooooo at the wall" (not directly quoted in the transcript but typical of the poem's content).
The transcript also mentions that the poem creates a mood of desire, which is an interesting contrast to the predominant anger. This desire could be interpreted as a longing for what might have been, or a twisted desire for revenge, adding complexity to the character's emotional state.
Quote: "Havisham" by Carol Ann Duffy is a "thought provoking monologue which has had a profound effect on me."
These aspects of the poem make it an excellent choice for exam questions focusing on character development, emotional intensity, and the creation of mood in poetry.
Techniques and Character Revelation in "Havisham"
The final page of the transcript emphasizes the poetic techniques used by Carol Ann Duffy to bring the character of Miss Havisham to life. The poem makes effective use of sentence structure, word choice, and imagery to reveal the complex nature of its protagonist.
Highlight: Duffy employs strong techniques such as imagery, sentence structure, and word choice to present an effective character study of Miss Havisham.
The character of Miss Havisham is portrayed as a woman consumed by her past, with her hatred towards men and desire for revenge shaping her entire being. This portrayal is consistent with Dickens' original character but offers a more nuanced and intimate exploration of her psyche.
Vocabulary: Jilted at the altar - left by one's intended spouse on the day of the wedding.
The poem's effectiveness in character creation makes it an excellent choice for exam questions focusing on character development in poetry. Duffy's "Havisham" offers a masterclass in how a poet can use various techniques to bring a character to life within the confines of a relatively short poem.
Example: The poem might use harsh consonants or fragmented sentences to reflect Miss Havisham's bitter state of mind (specific examples not provided in the transcript).
Throughout the monologue, readers witness the gradual revelation of Miss Havisham's character, her motivations, and her emotional state. This deep dive into a character's psyche is a hallmark of Duffy's poetry and contributes significantly to the poem's impact and memorability.
Quote: "Throughout the monologue we see how Miss Havisham is revealed."
The Great Expectations Miss Havisham poem themes of betrayal, revenge, and the lasting effects of emotional trauma are powerfully conveyed through Duffy's skillful character portrayal, making "Havisham" a rich text for literary analysis and interpretation.
Introduction to "Havisham" by Carol Ann Duffy
Carol Ann Duffy's poem "Havisham" is a dramatic monologue that offers a profound and thought-provoking exploration of its titular character. The poem is based on the character of Miss Havisham from Charles Dickens' novel "Great Expectations," and it delves deep into the psyche of a woman who has been jilted at the altar. Duffy employs a range of poetic techniques to bring this character to life, including powerful word choice, varied sentence structure, and vivid imagery.
Highlight: The poem "Havisham" is a dramatic monologue that gives voice to the character of Miss Havisham, exploring her complex emotions and psychological state.
The poem effectively portrays the intense emotions experienced by Miss Havisham, particularly focusing on her anger, hatred, and violent thoughts towards men. These emotions stem from her traumatic experience of being abandoned on her wedding day, which has left her bitter and seeking revenge.
Definition: A dramatic monologue is a type of poem in which a single character speaks to a silent listener, revealing their thoughts and feelings.
Duffy's portrayal of Miss Havisham aligns with various exam questions that have been posed about the poem, including its exploration of powerful emotions, the creation of a specific character, and the mood of desire it evokes. This versatility makes "Havisham" a rich text for analysis in the context of Carol Ann Duffy Havisham analysis.
Vocabulary: Jilted - abandoned or rejected by a lover.
We thought you’d never ask...
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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
Havisham Poem Fun: Why Miss Havisham is a Big Deal in Carol Ann Duffy's Poem
Aimee Mair
@aimeemair
Carol Ann Duffy's "Havisham" is a powerful dramatic monologue that explores the complex emotions of a jilted bride. The poem, inspired by Charles Dickens' character Miss Havisham from "Great Expectations," delves into themes of anger, hatred, and desire for revenge.... Show more
Exploring Emotions and Character in "Havisham"
The second page of the transcript delves deeper into the emotional landscape of "Havisham" and its relevance to various exam questions. The poem is particularly noted for its exploration of powerful emotions, with anger being the predominant feeling conveyed throughout the monologue.
Highlight: Anger is identified as the main emotion explored in "Havisham," stemming from the character's experience of being jilted at the altar.
The character of Miss Havisham, as portrayed by Duffy, is shown to be deeply affected by her past trauma. Her desire for revenge against men is a central theme, reflecting the lasting impact of her betrayal. This portrayal aligns with the original character from Dickens' "Great Expectations," but Duffy's poem offers a more intimate look into Miss Havisham's inner turmoil.
Example: The poem's exploration of anger and desire for revenge can be seen in lines such as "Whole days / in bed cawing Nooooo at the wall" (not directly quoted in the transcript but typical of the poem's content).
The transcript also mentions that the poem creates a mood of desire, which is an interesting contrast to the predominant anger. This desire could be interpreted as a longing for what might have been, or a twisted desire for revenge, adding complexity to the character's emotional state.
Quote: "Havisham" by Carol Ann Duffy is a "thought provoking monologue which has had a profound effect on me."
These aspects of the poem make it an excellent choice for exam questions focusing on character development, emotional intensity, and the creation of mood in poetry.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Techniques and Character Revelation in "Havisham"
The final page of the transcript emphasizes the poetic techniques used by Carol Ann Duffy to bring the character of Miss Havisham to life. The poem makes effective use of sentence structure, word choice, and imagery to reveal the complex nature of its protagonist.
Highlight: Duffy employs strong techniques such as imagery, sentence structure, and word choice to present an effective character study of Miss Havisham.
The character of Miss Havisham is portrayed as a woman consumed by her past, with her hatred towards men and desire for revenge shaping her entire being. This portrayal is consistent with Dickens' original character but offers a more nuanced and intimate exploration of her psyche.
Vocabulary: Jilted at the altar - left by one's intended spouse on the day of the wedding.
The poem's effectiveness in character creation makes it an excellent choice for exam questions focusing on character development in poetry. Duffy's "Havisham" offers a masterclass in how a poet can use various techniques to bring a character to life within the confines of a relatively short poem.
Example: The poem might use harsh consonants or fragmented sentences to reflect Miss Havisham's bitter state of mind (specific examples not provided in the transcript).
Throughout the monologue, readers witness the gradual revelation of Miss Havisham's character, her motivations, and her emotional state. This deep dive into a character's psyche is a hallmark of Duffy's poetry and contributes significantly to the poem's impact and memorability.
Quote: "Throughout the monologue we see how Miss Havisham is revealed."
The Great Expectations Miss Havisham poem themes of betrayal, revenge, and the lasting effects of emotional trauma are powerfully conveyed through Duffy's skillful character portrayal, making "Havisham" a rich text for literary analysis and interpretation.
Introduction to "Havisham" by Carol Ann Duffy
Carol Ann Duffy's poem "Havisham" is a dramatic monologue that offers a profound and thought-provoking exploration of its titular character. The poem is based on the character of Miss Havisham from Charles Dickens' novel "Great Expectations," and it delves deep into the psyche of a woman who has been jilted at the altar. Duffy employs a range of poetic techniques to bring this character to life, including powerful word choice, varied sentence structure, and vivid imagery.
Highlight: The poem "Havisham" is a dramatic monologue that gives voice to the character of Miss Havisham, exploring her complex emotions and psychological state.
The poem effectively portrays the intense emotions experienced by Miss Havisham, particularly focusing on her anger, hatred, and violent thoughts towards men. These emotions stem from her traumatic experience of being abandoned on her wedding day, which has left her bitter and seeking revenge.
Definition: A dramatic monologue is a type of poem in which a single character speaks to a silent listener, revealing their thoughts and feelings.
Duffy's portrayal of Miss Havisham aligns with various exam questions that have been posed about the poem, including its exploration of powerful emotions, the creation of a specific character, and the mood of desire it evokes. This versatility makes "Havisham" a rich text for analysis in the context of Carol Ann Duffy Havisham analysis.
Vocabulary: Jilted - abandoned or rejected by a lover.
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
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.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Is Knowunity really free of charge?
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.
Students love us — and so will you.
4.9/5
App Store
4.8/5
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