How Does Carol Ann Duffy Present Miss Havisham

“Havisham” by Carol Ann Duffy is a poem which depicts the character of Miss Havisham from the novel “Great Expectations” by Charles Dickens. Havisham is a bitter and spiteful character due to being jilted at the altar many years ago. She has become twisted and vengeful due to her heartbreak and loneliness. Themes such as love, hate, grief and madness are explored throughout the poem to illustrate Havisham’s descendance into insanity. Duffy uses several techniques in order to deepen my understanding of the poem as a whole.
In the first stanza Duffy highlights Havisham’s mixed feelings towards her ex-fiancé.
“Beloved sweetheart bastard”
Duffy begins this dramatic monologue with a powerful oxymoron. By using a dramatic monologue, Duffy helps