'A Creative Irritant': A Guided Exploration of Carol Ann Duffy's Poetry

Carol Ann Duffy was appointed Poet Laureate in 2009 and held the position until 2019. She was the first female, Scottish and openly gay person to do so. Duffy’s work encompasses a wealth of subject matter: childhood, teenage years, sex, city life, oppression, politics, gender, loss, nostalgia and love. She has provided a social and cultural commentary in simple language containing complex ideas, and some stunningly beautiful imagery. Duffy has an ear for everyday language and idioms and is often witty and fun. She writes in many different forms from the sonnet to the dramatic monologue.

Duffy has said of her poetry that it is like, ‘the sand in the oyster, it’s a creative irritant. In each poem, I am trying to reveal a truth.’ She has also said that she still reads Donne so he might put in a brief guest appearance!

Jan was a teacher of English for over 40 years and has had her poems published in various anthologies. She has an MA in English Literature and chairs various poetry groups in person and online.

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