Litany

    Cards (119)

    • Context
      The poem is about someone looking back at their childhood memories. Set in the 60s many subjects were taboo and unspeakable however the persona challenges this but suffers the consequences
    • Persona
      The persona seems to be a female adult looking back at one of her childhood memories
    • Structure 1
      Set six lined stanzas shows strict set of expectations.
    • Structure 2
      No rhyme reflects boring and constricting lives.
    • structure 3
      Lots of short sharp declarative syntax.
    • Theme 1 - People
      Duffy is critical of the women and the persona's mother. The antithesis between the child and the mothers indicates that the new generation will be different.
    • Theme 2 - The past
      shows the shocking attitudes towards taboos, children and punishing children of the 60s and contrast them with the new generations attitude.
    • Theme 3 - Time
      shows the shocking attitudes at the time and contrasts them with todays. The metaphor of a butterfly and wasps are used to portray this.
    • Theme 4 - Memories
      the poem is a vivid memory of the persona and is in past tense. It then changes to present tense in the last few lines as the persona reflects on this event from the present and from the attitude of today.
    • Language technique 1 - 'The soundtrack then was a litany - candlewick bedspread three piece suite display cabinet - stiff-haired wives balanced their red smiles, passing the catalogue. Pyrex.'
      'Balanced their red smiles' suggest that they are trying hard to portray themselves a as happy and their life as perfect. The adjective 'red' suggests their wearing lipstick and adds to the artificial nature of the women.
    • Language technique 2 - 'A tiny ladder ran up Mrs Barr's American Tan leg, sly like a rumour.'
      The tiny ladder is a metaphor for a hole in her reputation and façade. The simile 'sly like a rumour' implies a rumour is what damaged her reputation.
    • Language technique 3 - 'Language embarrassed them.'
      The women were shocked and appalled by improper and rude language. Foreshadows stanza 3 climax
    • Language technique 4 - 'The terrible marriages crackled, cellophane round polyester shirts, and then The Lounge would seem to bristle with eyes, hard as the bright stones in engagement rings, and sharp hands posed over biscuits as a word spelled out.'
      The adjective 'crackled' shows their relationships are broken and the adjective 'terrible' implies they are unhappy in their marriages.
    • Language technique 5 - 'This was a code I learnt at my mother's knee, pretending to read, where no one had cancer, or sex, or debts, and certainly not leukaemia, which no one could spell.'
      The fact 'no one could spell' it shows how they never spoke of it and reflects the limited education housewives may have received in the 60s.
    • Language technique 6 - 'The year a mass grave of wasps bobbed in a jam-jar; a butterfly stammered itself in my curious hands.'
      The child holds a butterfly which is a symbol of hope and freedom as she breaks from the constraining taboos. The butterfly represents the new generation who are open.
    • Language technique 7 - 'A boy in the playground, I said, told me to f*** off; and a thrilled, malicious pause salted my tongue like an imminent storm. Then uproar.'
      The adjective 'thrilled' implies the persona was excited by what she said and their reaction. The verb 'salted' implies her life has suddenly acquired flavour as she is no longer trapped.
    • Language technique 8 - 'I'm sorry, Mrs Barr, Mrs Hunt, Mrs Emery, sorry, Mrs Raine. Yes, I can summon their names.'
      The persona addresses them formally which shows the expectations of the women.
    • Language technique 9 - 'My mother's mute shame. The taste of soap.'
      The short sharp declarative 'the taste of soap' implies this was her punishment and represents how its expected of you to talk 'clean'.
    • What does the speaker reflect on in "Litany"?
      Childhood memories and specific culture
    • What does the term "litany" refer to in the poem?
      A series of prayers used in church
    • What values are depicted in the upper-class world in "Litany"?
      Money, social standing, and possessions
    • What does the one-word sentence in the poem symbolize?
      Judgment and careful presentation of women
    • How does enjambment function in "Litany"?
      It forces the reader to continue reading
    • What literary device is used to create a sense of rhythm in the poem?
      Alliteration
    • What effect do swear words have in "Litany"?
      They convey aggression and shock
    • What themes are explored in "Litany"?
      Childhood, societal standards, women's lives
    • What is the summary of the poem "Litany"?
      • Reflects on speaker's youth
      • Depicts mother's influence
      • Speaker learns to push back against norms
      • Uses language her mother avoided
      • Experiences consequences like soap in mouth
    • What does the speaker compare unhappy marriages to in the second stanza?
      Cellophane wrapped around shirts
    • How does the tone change in the final lines of "Litany"?
      It becomes polite but sarcastic
    • What is the structure of the poem "Litany"?
      • 4 stanzas with uneven lines
      • Stanzas 1 and 4 contain 6 lines
      • Written in free verse
    • What literary devices are used in "Litany"?
      • Alliteration
      • Enjambment
      • Caesura
      • Rhythm
    • What decade does the poem recall childhood memories from?
      1950s or 60s
    • How do the women in the poem censor their gossip?
      By spelling out certain words
    • What happens to the child after swearing in front of the group?
      She is forced to apologize
    • What are the main themes of the poem?
      • Appearance and reality
      • Age and youth, memory, growing up
      • Language, taboo
    • What narrative style does the poem use?
      Narrative with a personal anecdote feel
    • What does the poem likely represent about the author?
      It is probably autobiographical
    • What type of nouns are used in the poem's lexis?
      Household concrete nouns
    • What does the natural imagery in stanza three symbolize?
      It has symbolic connections to 'The Lounge'
    • How do the material nouns contrast with taboo terms in the poem?
      They highlight acceptable vs unacceptable language
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