Betrothal: Poet & Context

Reflection and Introspection: Duffy explores deeply reflective and introspective tones throughout “Betrothal”. She uses this to question societal perceptions about womanhood and female identity.
Challenging Stereotypes: Duffy continually challenges stereotypical gender roles throughout “Betrothal”. Namely, she rejects societal expectations of passive femininity, offering a more complex representation of women.
The Power of the Arts: By portraying the poet as a figure of defiance and challenge, Duffy illustrates the power of art, literature, and creativity to question and defy societal norms.

Comparison with “You” and “Betrothal”: Both poems engage with themes of female identity and the complexities of relationships. “You” presents a romantic engagement with the beloved, while “Betrothal” delves into a subversive exploration of womanhood against societal expectations.
Comparison with “Dame Carol Ann Duffy”: Duffy’s autobiographical piece echoes the reflective tone of “Betrothal”, using self-examination to challenge societal norms concerning gender and femininity.
Context of Carol Ann Duffy’s work: Duffy’s poems often focus on the exploration of identities and the questioning of societal norms. Her feminist perspective and the representation of women in diverse roles help us to understand and appreciate the subversive representation of the female poet in “Betrothal”.
The Influence of Duffy’s Lesbian Identity: Having openly identified herself as a lesbian, Duffy’s intimate understanding of love beyond heteronormative understanding enriches the reading of “Betrothal”. This awareness allows readers to appreciate the subversive female narratives in Duffy’s work.
Duffy’s Exploration of Voice: Duffy is also well-known for adopting varied voices and perspectives in her work. Such multi-faceted representation of voices and perspectives can be observed in “Betrothal”, where the poet stands as a powerful symbol against stereo-typical categorisation.