What does the poem mean to you? What ideas is Duffy trying to convey? Provide a detailed response.
Personally the poem to me conveys the rage, desperation and sorrow of a broken and shrouded woman who’s past has engulfed her to the extent where she has no future since she can’t let go.
The ideas the Duffy is trying to convey is the idea the heart brake and physiological damage of a relationship gone corrupt and by a wedding day that was a- boarded and the devastating impact on the bride who was left standing on her own embarrassed and humiliated by the failure of her beloved to show up.
The idea of society’s expectation has also shrouded upon her since she can’t even leave her own house since she is paranoid about society expectation of a classic woman. Society expects a woman to find a man and get married and have children and by her not fulfilled society’s expectation she has “failed” at life’s virtue for a woman therefore having a unworthy life by living as a “spinster” and wasting away without a husband.
Another idea conveyed is the effect of also being alone without a partner “a lover” to share your life with. This is reflected by Ms Havisham who has always been alone and never really had “true love” and the effects of that how our feelings can go to mutual hatred towards one person whom in their mind destroyed their entire life. The poem is titled Havisham and not Miss Havisham. Why?
The poem is titled “Havisham” opposed to “Miss Havisham” since she doesn’t have the honour being labelled a “miss” due to turning into a complete monster. She is not a lady , she’s not proper or has the correct virtue for a typical ladies life. She is an old hag who has waisted away and is nothing more than to be called a spinster. Havisham creates a harsh , violent and bold statement reflecting her and everything’s he’s become. Where as Miss creates a peaceful , calm and relaxed tone and doesn’t