The long queen PDF

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Essay on Carol Ann Duffy's 'Feminine Gospels'. Discusses the poem 'Long Queen'....

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The long queenTo what extent do you feel this poem is a suitable introduction to the collection?

The long queen written by Carol Anne Duffy is an excellent poem to introduce the feminine gospels. This intricately written poem links the topics that will be mentioned in the rest of the collection regarding the female sex such as womanhood and femininity, sexuality, freedom and independence. It is a thread which draws all the poems together. The long queen alludes to Queen Elizabeth 1 who remained unmarried until death. She was able to be a role model to women as she was independent and refused to marry. Feminine gospels tell the truth about womanhood and are a much needed truth for woman to hear. Gospels were traditionally written by men so in the title being feminine gospels, we as readers are aware that a new truth was to be revealed. The long queen succeeds in doing so. The long queen is heavily characterised by the personification of matriarchy in which women rule and have more power over men. This is evident in her laws extending to bind the experiences of childhood, blood, childbirth and tears. This poem highlights the infinite struggles of women in all generations regardless of their status in society, whether they are rich or poor. The problem of womanhood is inevitable and the laws of nature do not spare the queen of painful experiences such as periods. Perhaps, the job of the queen is proven to be even more difficult as she has to face these circumstances whilst reigning. This makes the decision of the author to put this poem forward more relevant. It encourages the audience, particularly females of being strong enough to handle anything. This poem defines the negative aspects of being a female such as the fact that society’s main expectations of women was for them to marry and have children. The period experienced by women is seen as a force causing girls to be “insignificant”. This is because, once girls experienced their periods in those days, they were seen as being ripe enough to marry, so were given as wives to men. They could no longer be free, but were forced to submit to these expectations which limited their chances of being educated and independent, thus increased their insignificance all the more. The detailing of the monthly period is given through nature. The moon shows when a woman will next experience her period. These laws of having a period changes during menopause, so in essence, frees women. Once they have hit menopause, they will be exempt of the pain experienced in childbirth as they can no longer give birth. Similarly, they will not experience the monthly period, so are free. Men are oblivious to the tribulations of women as they see it as being “no cause for complaint”; women have to deal with their problems quickly and quietly. Society upheld women who got married and gave birth so in refusing to marry, the long queen shows resilience and strength to defend herself from the criticisms she may have received. This poem indicates to us that the rest of the poems will have a common theme of femininity, womanhood and female power. The long queen is an icon and a mythical ruler. She takes on

the qualities of an immortal being as she “couldn’t die”. This suggests strength as women experience a lot particularly at the hands of men, in not dying; they display the sense of triumph over their obstacles. The long queen links to poems such as Work, History, or Sub. They have a single thread linking the theme of womanhood and history. Women have less power in society compared to men; they thrive best in the private sphere but men do best in the public sphere. The long queen shows us that it is possible to have women work in both the private and public sector and to excel in doing so. This shows that Carol Anne Duffy was right to put such a poem at the beginning of the collection. It is an empowerment for women. In conclusion, this poem is the perfect introduction to the collection. Its regular sestet stanza form with internal rhyme is catchy and captivating to the reader. The eloquent and regal language used is befitting for a queen, but can be understood by all social classes. This prepares the readers mind for what the other collections will bring and what they have to say....