Goddesses, Mothers, and Queens

Abstract

Carol Ann Duffy is a Scottish poet who currently serves as the Poet Laureate of the UK. This thesis contains an analysis of Duffy’s poetry volumes The World’s Wife (1999) and Feminine Gospels (2001), which are largely fantasy-based works. The study consists of a close reading of three poems: “Mrs Beast” (The World’s Wife), “Work”, and “History” (Feminine Gospels). The aim of this thesis is to show how Carol Ann Duffy critically engages with contemporary society even though her poems are set in a different world. The critical perspective she offers as well as the way she presents it will be discussed to enhance the understanding of Duffy’s engagement with society.