CAROL ANN DUFFY EXAM QUESTIONS Section B

Question numbers 1 – 6 are from the new AS exam papers and your
questions will be worded in this way. You will have to answer one question
from a choice of two. Each question carries 45 marks.
January 2009
1. Duffy has said that ‘Anne Hathaway’ is one of her favourite poems.
How far do you feel that this poem is typical of the way Duffy presents
relationships between men and women in the collection as a whole?
In your answer you should consider form, structure and language, as well
as subject matter.

2. The World’s Wife has been criticised for using simplistic language and
overstated imagery.
How far do you agree with this view?
In your answer you should either refer to two or three poems in detail or
range more widely across the collection as a whole.

June 2009
3. “Duffy is entirely hostile towards men in The World’s Wife.”
How far do you agree with this view of the ways Duffy presents men in this
collection?
In your answer you should either refer to two or three poems in detail or
range more widely
across the collection as a whole.

4. How far do you agree that ‘Mrs Faust’ is key to the collection as a
whole?
In your answer you should consider form, structure and language, as well
as subject matter.

January 2010
5. It has been said that ‘The World’s Wife’ is witty, uncomfortable yet
liberating.
How far do you agree with this view?
In your answer you should either refer to two or three poems in detail or
range more widely across the collection as a whole.
6. How far do you agree that ‘The Devil’s Wife’ is key to the collection?
In your answer you should consider form, structure and language as well
as subject matter.
The following questions have appeared on the old syllabus but
they will give you an indication of the ‘type’ of questions to
expect
7. A critic has written that “Duffy’s poetry is primarily concerned with
human failings”. To what extent do you feel this is true of ‘The World’s
Wife’? In your answer, you should either refer to two or three poems in
detail or range more widely through the whole collection.
8. “The problem with ‘The World’s Wife’ is that, having found one good
joke, Duffy just tells it over and over again.” How far do you agree with
this assessment of ‘The World’s Wife’? In your answer, you should either
refer to two or three poems in detail or range more widely through the
whole collection.
9. How far do you agree with the view that ‘The World’s Wife’ is “nothing
but feminist propaganda”? In your answer, you should either refer to two
or three poems in detail or range more widely through the whole
collection.
10. Duffy has said of this collection: “It’s meant to be funny, but there’s
also a darker side.” How far do you agree with this assessment of ‘The
World’s Wife’? In your answer, you should either refer to two or three
poems in detail or range more widely through the whole collection.
11. “in this collection Duffy shows no sympathy for men.” How far do you
agree with this assessment of ‘The World’s Wife’? In your answer, you
should either refer to two or three poems in detail or range more widely
through the whole collection.
12. Duffy published ‘Mrs Midas’ several years before its inclusion in ‘The
World’s Wife’. To what extent do you agree with the view that, in terms of
subject matter and style, this poem is the key to the whole collection?
13. Remind yourself of ‘The Kray Sisters’. How far do you agree with the
view that, in terms of subject matter and style, this poem is the key to the
whole collection?
14. Remind your self of the last poem in ‘The World’s Wife’: Demeter. To
what extent do you agree with the view that, in terms of subject matter
and style, this poem is an appropriate conclusion to the collection?
15. Remind your self of the first poem in ‘The World’s Wife’: Little Red
Cap. To what extent do you agree with the view that, in terms of subject
matter and style, this poem is an appropriate introduction to the
collection?
16. Remind yourself of ‘Mrs Beast’. How far do you agree with the view
that, in terms of subject matter and style, this poem is the key to the
whole collection?