Structure and Language Techniques
Agbabi crafts the poem using ten stanzas of tercets three−lineverses, creating a ritualistic pattern that mirrors the repetitive nature of the abuse. This structure feels both controlled and relentless - exactly like the speaker's experience.
The sound techniques are particularly clever. Assonance in words like "cake" and "weight" creates a unique rhyme scheme, whilst harsh consonance using "k" and "d" sounds emphasises the forced, detached nature of the control. These techniques make the poem feel uncomfortable to read - which is entirely the point.
Enjambment throughout most of the poem mirrors the relentless, unstoppable nature of both the weight gain and the partner's desires. However, the final stanza breaks this pattern with end-stopped lines, dramatically highlighting the man's death and the relationship's end.
The poem's tone shifts from initial compliance to final resistance, showing the speaker's journey from victim to someone who reclaims power. This structural choice gives readers hope whilst maintaining the poem's serious critique of abusive relationships.
Top Tip: Pay attention to how the rhythm changes - it tells the story just as much as the words do.