a2 english – poetry carol ann duffy

A2 English – PoetryA2 English – PoetryCarol Ann DuffyCarol Ann Duffy

Away and SeeAway and See


An eponymous title, as the phrase “away An eponymous title, as the phrase “away & see” appears several times in the text.& see” appears several times in the text.

The title is the quotation of a phrase often The title is the quotation of a phrase often used in Duffy’s childhood. The equivalent used in Duffy’s childhood. The equivalent of “Off you go..”of “Off you go..”

Five stanzas of four lines each but not Five stanzas of four lines each but not really quatrains as they don’t scan really quatrains as they don’t scan particularly well.particularly well.


Occasional mid-line caesura and several Occasional mid-line caesura and several instances of enjambment across lines but instances of enjambment across lines but never across stanzas. never across stanzas.

Each stanza consists of three long lines of Each stanza consists of three long lines of about twelve syllables and a final, shorter about twelve syllables and a final, shorter one of four syllables.one of four syllables.


The poem addresses the reader directly, The poem addresses the reader directly, not as an anonymous reader, but as a not as an anonymous reader, but as a specific person. This poem is written to specific person. This poem is written to someone.someone.

The writer is not there with the addressee The writer is not there with the addressee and is asking “you” to experience things and is asking “you” to experience things on his/her behalf. on his/her behalf.


First line indicates sound “suck” and First line indicates sound “suck” and almost leads the reader to think of sweets almost leads the reader to think of sweets but instead writes “sun”. but instead writes “sun”.

Suggestive of holidays or, possibly, a “dirty Suggestive of holidays or, possibly, a “dirty weekend” or even a honeymoon.weekend” or even a honeymoon.

Line two suggests sexual intimacy on the Line two suggests sexual intimacy on the part of “you” and repressed sexual part of “you” and repressed sexual attitudes on the part of the writer.attitudes on the part of the writer.


Suggests that “you’s” reality is more daring Suggests that “you’s” reality is more daring than the writer’s would be.than the writer’s would be.

Is the undressing as a result of the heat – Is the undressing as a result of the heat – boiled sun – or the intimate situation?boiled sun – or the intimate situation?

The stanza ends with an injunction to keep The stanza ends with an injunction to keep in touch. The writer and “you” are close.in touch. The writer and “you” are close.


Stanza two has all three longer lines full of Stanza two has all three longer lines full of fragments of experiencing something new.fragments of experiencing something new.

The fruits aren’t new, they’re unfamiliar. The fruits aren’t new, they’re unfamiliar.

They don’t sing but their vibrant colours They don’t sing but their vibrant colours are “loud”.are “loud”.

The flipside is a 1950’s/60’s reference to The flipside is a 1950’s/60’s reference to the other side of a record so it’s the other the other side of a record so it’s the other side of night, not the sleep side.side of night, not the sleep side.


Could it also suggest the other side of the Could it also suggest the other side of the world – or at least a great distance?world – or at least a great distance?

The image of a market of language, where The image of a market of language, where the noise and bustle of a market are mixed the noise and bustle of a market are mixed with the chatter in an unfamiliar tongue to with the chatter in an unfamiliar tongue to suggest something doubly foreign.suggest something doubly foreign.


The tune from a chapel nearby – a hymn? The tune from a chapel nearby – a hymn? Organ music? Organ music?

Why is it “stopping you dead”?Why is it “stopping you dead”?

Either because it is familiar or because it is Either because it is familiar or because it is unfamiliar. The shock of recollection?unfamiliar. The shock of recollection?

Respiring = breathing. Figurative term. Respiring = breathing. Figurative term. Perhaps it feels warm and alive in her Perhaps it feels warm and alive in her hand.hand.


Ends with another instruction – Ends with another instruction – “Taste it for me.” On my behalf?“Taste it for me.” On my behalf?

All the stanzas end with an All the stanzas end with an instruction.instruction.


Third stanza repeats the start of the poem Third stanza repeats the start of the poem with the instruction to go and try with the instruction to go and try something new, moved away from the something new, moved away from the holiday?. holiday?. This time it is all the things “you” has This time it is all the things “you” has heard of but never before seen in reality.heard of but never before seen in reality.Before, “you” has only known the words. Before, “you” has only known the words. Now she is told to experience them for Now she is told to experience them for herself.herself.


This stanza plays with words.This stanza plays with words.The writer is showing off the tools of her The writer is showing off the tools of her trade – playing with words about words.trade – playing with words about words.She says words are living things. She says words are living things. Encourages “you” to play with them too, Encourages “you” to play with them too, try them out.try them out.It suggests that the writer loves words and It suggests that the writer loves words and wants this person – a daughter? – to enjoy wants this person – a daughter? – to enjoy them too.them too.


““Skedaddle” is colloquial but just another Skedaddle” is colloquial but just another way of saying “Away and see..”way of saying “Away and see..”

This stanza has moved further away from This stanza has moved further away from the holiday, looking at the future.the holiday, looking at the future.

The knock on the door reminds us of “first The knock on the door reminds us of “first footing” at New Year.footing” at New Year.

““You” is encouraged to be brave and You” is encouraged to be brave and welcome the unknown.welcome the unknown.


This reads like a mother pushing a slightly This reads like a mother pushing a slightly reluctant child to be unafraid of the reluctant child to be unafraid of the unknown, the future.unknown, the future.

““Ask him his name” means the stranger Ask him his name” means the stranger will no longer BE a stranger.will no longer BE a stranger.

Ends tha stanza on another instruction. Ends tha stanza on another instruction.

This is part of the structure of the poem.This is part of the structure of the poem.


The fifth and final stanza reminds “you” The fifth and final stanza reminds “you” that her experience will not be the same that her experience will not be the same as the writer’s. (The mother’s?)as the writer’s. (The mother’s?)

A further reference to the title, followed by A further reference to the title, followed by mid-line caesura, repeated to great effect.mid-line caesura, repeated to great effect.

A romantic idea of taking a boat and A romantic idea of taking a boat and “sailing off into the sunset..”“sailing off into the sunset..”


The overall tone is of someone being The overall tone is of someone being encouraged to fly the nest.encouraged to fly the nest.

It is an optimistic poem, looking to an It is an optimistic poem, looking to an adventurous future.adventurous future.

a2 english – poetry carol ann duffy

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