Answer: Structure & Language Techniques

Structure of “Answer”

Unique Form: “Answer” does not follow a traditional sonnet structure, demonstrating Duffy’s ability to experiment with poetic form for emotional effect.
Contrasting Format: The poem is distinctly divided into two halves. The first seven lines depict a paradise perfect in its tranquillity, which starkly contrasts against the latter half, where darkness and distress permeate.
Empathetic Progression: Transitioning from paradise to perdition mirrors the variable emotional states in love, portraying it not as a static sentiment but as a subject to change and complication.

Language Techniques in “Answer”

Vivid Visuals: Words like “leaves”, “gold”, and “autumn” build a rich and idyllic landscape at the start, while “black”, “shadow”, and “midnight” introduce darker themes in the latter half.
Symbolic Imagery: The shifting from the imagery associated with light to imagery corresponding to darkness is symbolic of the transition from hope to despair in Duffy’s representation of love.
Oxymoron: The line “dark fall of the year” juxtaposes an image of autumnal richness (a positive connotation) with the concept of falling (a negative one) to express mixed emotions.
Epiphora: The repetition of “through the world” at the end of several lines underscores the sense of journeying and the constant progression of time.
Personification: Duffy personifies darkness as the “lover’s name” that calls “through the world” emphasising longing and sorrow in the speaker’s disposition.
Metaphor: The dark “name” could also be a metaphor for a lost lover, suggesting that even in the absence of the individual, their power and influence lingers.

By understanding the unique blend of structure and language in “Answer”, readers can better appreciate Carol Ann Duffy’s distinct and emotionally nuanced exploration of love.