Elegy: Structure & Language Techniques

Structure in “Elegy”

“Elegy” adopts a free verse form, characteristic of much of Duffy’s poetry. This lack of conventional structure reflects the raw, unprocessed emotions of the speaker, who has just lost a loved one.
The poem is made up of five stanzas. Each varying in length, they mirror the jagged emotional journey of the mourner.
There is no clear rhyme scheme in “Elegy”, which emphasises the chaotic and unpredictable nature of grief.
The use of enjambment in the poem serves to maintain a sense of fragmentation and turmoil, further emphasising the mourning process.

Language Techniques in “Elegy”

Duffy uses first person narrative in “Elegy”, leveraging the ‘I’ to build connection with the reader. This allows us to deeply sense the speaker’s sorrow and personal loss.
The metaphors and similes used in the poem provide a vivid depiction of grief. For example, “Your absence, quaint as cups and saucers,” offers an unexpected yet poignant image of absence.
Imagery of everyday domestic objects is a notable feature of the poem, signalling the mundane reality of death’s aftermath, and how it infiltrates normal, everyday life.
Duffy also employs personification, particularly with relation to death, imbuing it with human characteristics. This lends a raw, tangible quality to the abstract concept of death, emphasising its inevitability and all-pervading nature.
The alliteration in lines like “black bird, bigging back” creates a rhythm that mimics a sort of lament, mirroring the poem’s sombre tone.

As always, understanding the structural elements and language techniques employed is crucial for comprehending the depth of Duffy’s poetry. By recognising these, one can truly tap into the layers of meaning within “Elegy”.