Objectives

1. Objectives By the end of today’s lesson you will be able to: • explore the meaning, imagery, tone, structure and language of ‘Before You Were Mine’ by Carol Ann Duffy.

2. Women in the 1950's

3. The 1950s

4. Content • Ten years before Duffy was born, Duffy’s mother was a young girl laughing with her friends, wearing the latest fashions- a ‘polka-dot dress’. She stayed out late dancing, even though she knew she would get ‘a hiding’. She was rebellious. She was flirtatious with ‘high-heeled red shoes’ and ‘small bites’ on her neck. She loved dancing. • Duffy seems to miss the girl she fell in love with as a spirit before she was born as this girl’s daughter. How has Duffy’s mother changed?

5. Content • In Buddhism, people believe we choose our parents. We look down watch people on earth. When we find the right parents that will let us progress on our journey, we are born. • In this poem, the narrator goes back in time to 10 years before she is born, and watches her mother.

6. I'm ten years away from the corner you laugh onwith your pals, Maggie McGeeney and Jean Duff.The three of you bend from the waist, holdingeach other, or your knees, and shriek at the pavement.Your polka-dot dress blows round your legs. Marilyn. I'm not here yet. The thought of me doesn't occurin the ballroom with the thousand eyes, the fizzy, movie tomorrowsthe right walk home could bring. I knew you would dancelike that. Before you were mine, your Ma stands at the closewith a hiding for the late one. You reckon it's worth it.The decade ahead of my loud, possessive yell was the best one, eh?I remember my hands in those high-heeled red shoes, relics,and now your ghost clatters toward me over George Squaretill I see you, clear as scent, under the tree,with its lights, and whose small bites on your neck, sweetheart?Cha cha cha! You'd teach me the steps on the way home from Mass,stamping stars from the wrong pavement. Even thenI wanted the bold girl winking in Portobello, somewherein Scotland, before I was born. That glamorous love lastswhere you sparkle and waltz and laugh before you were mine.

7. Ten years before the poets birth Her mother Images of a carefree and happy world Vibrant colour Image suggest life of excitement Reminder this is before the poet’s birth Mine meaning “my mother” Buzz of the unknown, thrill of the chase First person narrative, personal tone Laid out in regular form like a photo album Before you were mine I'm ten years away from the corner you laugh onwith your pals, Maggie McGeeney and Jean Duff.The three of you bend from the waist, holdingeach other, or your knees, and shriek at the pavement.Your polka-dot dress blows round your legs. Marilyn. I'm not here yet. The thought of me doesn't occurin the ballroom with the thousand eyes, the fizzy, movie tomorrowsthe right walk home could bring. I knew you would dancelike that. Before you were mine, your Ma stands at the closewith a hiding for the late one. You reckon it's worth it. Marilyn Monroe represents glamour and fame She is recognising that once her mother had a life which she couldn’t imagine having a child

8. Memory of the poet as a child This person is now dead Appeals to sense of smell Her memories of shoes link back to her mothers past Suggested passion Uncomfortable irony? Teaches her daughter to dance Suggests the poet wanted her mother even before she was born Suggests youth and enjoyment Links back to Marilyn Monroe The decade ahead of my loud, possessive yell was the best one, eh?I remember my hands in those high-heeled red shoes, relics,and now your ghost clatters toward me over George Squaretill I see you, clear as scent, under the tree,with its lights, and whose small bites on your neck, sweetheart? Cha cha cha! You'd teach me the steps on the way home from Mass,stamping stars from the wrong pavement. Even thenI wanted the bold girl winking in Portobello, somewherein Scotland, before I was born. That glamorous love lastswhere you sparkle and waltz and laugh before you were mine. New stanza for change of perspective