Before you were mine

• "I'm ten years away from the corner you laugh on"
• "Before you were mine"
• "The decade ahead of my loud, possessive yell was the best one"
• "Your polka dot dress blows round your legs. Marilyn."
• "Cha Cha Cha! You'd teach me the steps on the way home from mass, / stamping stars on the wrong pavement"
• "Where you sparkle and waltz and laugh"
• "The fizzy, movie tomorrows"
• "Those high heeled red shoes, relics"
• "I wanted the bold girl winking in portobello"
• What is the main theme of the poem discussed in the study material?

  The poem reflects on the speaker's memories of her mother and her childhood.
• Who is the speaker addressing in the poem?

  The speaker is addressing her mother.
• What does the speaker remember about her mother's past?


  The speaker remembers her mother laughing with friends in a photo.
• How does the poem depict the transition from youth to adulthood for the speaker's mother?

  The poem shows the end of her mother's dancing days and the beginning of motherhood.
• What childhood memory does the speaker share about her mother's red shoes?

  The speaker recalls playing with her mother's red shoes in Glasgow.
• What does the poem suggest about the mother's past relationships?

  The poem imagines the mother showing her red shoes to a boyfriend in George's Square.
• What societal changes are reflected in the comment about working-class memories during the 1950s?

  • Working classes became politically and socially active.
  • Feminism emphasized equality, leading to significant changes.
  • The NHS began to accept working-class individuals.
  • Themes of escapism emerged in Western cinema.
• Who is Carol Ann Duffy?

  She is the first female Poet Laureate of the UK.
• What unique position does Carol Ann Duffy hold as Poet Laureate?

  She is the first female, first Scottish, and first openly LGBT poet to hold the position.
• What themes does Duffy's poetry often explore?

  Her poetry explores femininity and everyday experiences.
• How does Duffy's background influence her poetry?

  Her working-class upbringing in Glasgow informs her exploration of femininity and identity.
• What does one critic say about Carol Ann Duffy's work?

  The critic describes her as a "Time Traveller" who connects Hollywood with her childhood experiences.
• What role does Duffy's poetry play in society?

  It allows her to unpack and subvert feminine archetypes.
• What are the key influences on Carol Ann Duffy's poetry?

  • Her working-class background
  • Themes of femininity and identity
  • Elements from mythology and cinema
  • Exploration of everyday experiences
• Who is the poet of "Before You Were Mine"?

  Carolan Duffy
• In what year was Carolan Duffy born?

  1955
• What prestigious role does Carolan Duffy currently hold?

  Poet Laureate
• What family background did Carolan Duffy have?

  Raised in a Roman Catholic family
• What is the historical context of women in the 1950s relevant to the poem?

  Women were expected to stay home and raise families
• What does "Before You Were Mine" reflect on regarding Carolan Duffy's mother?

  Her mother's life before having children
• What does the poem suggest about the inevitability of women's roles?

  Women's roles were predetermined and inescapable
• How does Carolan Duffy's poetry often portray women?

  As having predetermined roles in society
• What are the key themes in "Before You Were Mine"?

  • The relationship between mother and daughter
  • The loss of youth and freedom
  • The societal expectations of women
  • The contrast between past and present
• What does the title "Before You Were Mine" imply?

  It suggests a reflection on the past
• What does the imagery of "polka dot dress" evoke in the poem?

  A sense of glamour and youthfulness
• What does the phrase "your ghost clatters towards me" suggest?

  A metaphor for lost youth and memories
• How does the poem contrast images of youthful promise with domestic duty?

  Youthful promise is contrasted with loss of freedom
• What does the phrase "stamping stars from the wrong pavement" imply?

  A longing for a more glamorous life
• What are the characteristics of a dramatic monologue as seen in "Before You Were Mine"?

  • A speaker addresses someone who is silent
  • The poem reflects personal emotions and experiences
  • It often explores themes of identity and memory
• How does Carolan Duffy's personal experience influence her poetry?

  She often writes about her mother
• What does the poem "Before You Were Mine" primarily explore?

  The speaker's reflection on her mother's past