Page 2: The Aftermath and Reflection

The second page of Carol Ann Duffy's "Mrs Midas" delves deeper into the consequences of Midas' golden touch on their relationship and daily life. The poem continues to explore themes of isolation, loss, and the true value of human connection.

Mrs Midas takes precautions to protect herself and their possessions, creating physical distance between them. This is symbolized by her making Midas sit on the other side of the room and keeping his hands to himself, representing the emotional chasm that has opened in their relationship.

Highlight: The line "I locked the cat in the cellar. I moved the phone." emphasizes the extent to which their lives have been disrupted and the need to protect even the smallest aspects of their normal existence.

Duffy injects a touch of dark humor into the situation with Mrs Midas' comment about Midas being able to give up smoking, highlighting her attempt to find any silver lining in their dire circumstances.

The poem then shifts to a more reflective tone as Mrs Midas contemplates the nature of wishes and the true value of gold. Duffy uses rich language and allusions to emphasize the futility of Midas' wish:

Quote: "It feeds no one; aurum, soft, untarnishable; slakes no thirst."

Vocabulary: "Aurum" - The Latin word for gold, adding a sense of timelessness and universality to the theme.

The stanza ends with a powerful and disturbing dream sequence, where Mrs Midas imagines bearing Midas' child with "perfect ore limbs" and "amber eyes." This vivid imagery underscores the all-encompassing nature of Midas' curse and its potential to affect future generations.

Example: The dream of a golden child serves as a metaphor for the way Midas' greed has corrupted even the most natural and intimate aspects of their life together.

The final lines of this page reveal the complete breakdown of their relationship, with Mrs Midas taking drastic measures to protect herself:

Quote: "Separate beds. In fact, I put a chair against my door, near petrified."

This physical barrier symbolizes the emotional and intimate distance that has grown between them, as Mrs Midas fears "his honeyed embrace" that would turn her to a "work of art." Duffy's use of the word "honeyed" here is particularly effective, playing on the double meaning of something sweet but also potentially dangerous.

The page concludes with a poignant reflection on their past relationship, described as "unwrapping each other, rapidly, like presents, fast food." This metaphor emphasizes the contrast between their former passion and their current state of fear and isolation, highlighting the true cost of Midas' wish.

Page 2: The Transformation

The poem delves deeper into the consequences of Midas's gift, focusing on the devastating impact on their relationship.

Quote: "And who, when it comes to the crunch, can live with a heart of gold?"

Highlight: The dream sequence featuring the golden child serves as a powerful metaphor for the impossibility of their future together.

Example: The imagery of "amber eyes holding their pupils like flies" creates a disturbing vision of how the golden touch would affect even their potential offspring.

Page 3: Mrs Tilscher's Class

This section shifts to a different Carol Ann Duffy poem about childhood memories in a classroom setting.

Quote: "You could travel up the Blue Nile with your finger, tracing the route"

Highlight: The poem captures the innocence of primary school education through geographic exploration.

Vocabulary: Chanted - repeated words in a rhythmic way, typically used in teaching.

Page 4: Growing Awareness

The poem continues to explore themes of childhood innocence being challenged by adult realities.

Quote: "A rough boy told you how you were born. You kicked him, but stared at your parents, appalled"

Highlight: This moment represents a crucial shift from childhood innocence to awareness of adult realities.

Page 5: Valentine

Valentine Carol Ann Duffy presents an unconventional love poem using an onion as a metaphor for love.

Quote: "Not a red rose or a satin heart. I give you an onion."

Highlight: The poem subverts traditional romantic imagery by using an ordinary onion as a symbol of love's complexity.

Page 6: Valentine Continued

The poem develops the extended metaphor of the onion, exploring both positive and negative aspects of love.

Quote: "Its fierce kiss will stay on your lips, possessive and faithful"

Highlight: The transformation of the onion's rings into a wedding ring suggests the evolution of relationships.

Page 7: Immigration Themes

This section explores themes of displacement and belonging through the perspective of immigrants.

Quote: "We came from our own country in a red room"

Highlight: The use of "we" emphasizes the collective experience of immigration and displacement.

Page 1: The Golden Revelation

The opening stanza of Carol Ann Duffy's "Mrs Midas" sets the scene in late September, with Mrs Midas relaxing in the kitchen. The atmosphere is initially warm and domestic, with personification used to describe the kitchen's "steamy breath." This tranquil setting is abruptly disrupted when Mrs Midas notices her husband in the garden, turning objects to gold.

Highlight: The contrast between the cozy domestic scene and the sudden intrusion of the supernatural emphasizes the shock of Midas' transformation.

The poem's structure uses short, blunt sentences to convey Mrs Midas' growing realization and disbelief. Duffy employs vivid imagery, such as the pear sitting in Midas' palm "like a light bulb. On." This simile effectively illustrates the sudden, unnatural change.

Quote: "He came into the house. The doorknobs gleamed."

As Midas enters the house, the repetition of "He" at the beginning of sentences emphasizes the growing tension. Mrs Midas' thoughts flit between the mythical "Field of the Cloth of Gold" and the mundane "Miss Macready," highlighting her struggle to comprehend the situation.

Vocabulary: "Fondante d'Automne" - A variety of pear, literally meaning "melting of autumn" in French, which adds to the autumnal setting and the theme of transformation.

The poem continues with rich sensory descriptions, such as the personification of the dark "drinking" the light, creating an ominous atmosphere. Mrs Midas' disbelief is palpable as she serves dinner, with Midas "spitting out the teeth of the rich," a powerful metaphor for the consequences of his newfound ability.

Example: The transformation of everyday objects like corn on the cob and wine glasses into gold illustrates the far-reaching and destructive nature of Midas' touch.

The stanza ends with a dramatic climax as Mrs Midas begins to scream, and Midas sinks to his knees, emphasizing the horror and despair of their situation.