Mrs Midas

Question 1

It was late September

Answer 1

Short declarative sentence to set scene

Factual, matter of fact

Question 2

Unwind

Relaxed

Gently

Answer 2

Word choice

Sense of calm, warm domesticity

Suggests soft, comforting atmosphere

Question 3

Steamy breath

Answer 3

The kitchen is personified

Question 4

Snapping

Answer 4

Harsher sound contrasting earlier atmosphere

Question 5

The dark of the ground seems to drink the light of the sky

Answer 5

Sense of foreboding through use of dark and drink which remove the light

“Drink” personification

Question 6

-We grew fondante d’Automne-

Answer 6

Duffy eludes to the colour gold

Parenthesis- extra detail suggests humerus undertone in that she is almost showing off a bit. Proud

Question 7

Like a lightbulb. On.

Answer 7

Simile suggests shape of a pear and light from it (gold)

Short sentence, single word

Question 8

Is he putting fairy lights in the tree?

Answer 8

Rhetorical question, incredulous and slightly comical

Question 9

The doorknobs gleamed

Answer 9

Whimsical, pretty

Doesn’t fully realise what’s happening, quizzical

Detailing the changes as she sees them

Question 10

He drew the blinds

Answer 10

Back to the factual narrative account

Passive shock, not reacted yet

Question 11

Field of the cloth of gold

Answer 11

Historical event between the kings of England and France

Question 12

Miss macready

Answer 12

Could link to the poet personas history teacher

Could also be a reference to iconic 60s TV star with golden hair

Question 13

Like a king

Answer 13

Links to the field of the cloth of gold

Reference to king Midas

Sense of superiority and greed

Question 14

Strange, wild, vain

Answer 14

List emphasises how his character has frighteningly changed

Question 15

What in the name of god is going on

Answer 15

Colloquial term - adds to realism and contemporary nature of poem

Question 16

He started to laugh

Answer 16

In this moment he is oblivious to any negative consequences

Question 17

He was standing… he came into the house… he drew the blinds… he sat in that chair…he started to laugh

Answer 17

In the first part of the poem the emphasis is on him

Question 18

I served up the meal

Answer 18

Factual, domestic

Still shocked

Question 19

The teeth of the rich

Answer 19

Links to greed

The corn kernels resemble teeth

Question 20

Shaking hand

Answer 20

Physical reaction

Starting to realise

Question 21

Fragrant

Answer 21

Links to former comfortable lifestyle showing they didn’t need more - greed

Question 22

Bone-dry

Answer 22

Suggests death of the relationship

Question 23

Glass, goblet, golden chalice, drank

Answer 23

List is progressive from the ordinary to the extraordinary

Guttural alliteration suggests drinking sounds

Question 24

I started to scream. He sank to his knees

Answer 24

Full realisation hits them both

Turning point

Question 25

I finished the wine…I made him sit… I locked the cat… I moved the phone… I didn’t mind… I couldn’t believe my ears

Answer 25

Repetition of personal pronoun showing her taking control of the situation - empowerment

Contrasts the repetition of “he” from before

Question 26

Keep his hands to himself

Answer 26

No physical contact, he can never touch her again

Shows beginning of loneliness and solitude

Question 27

The toilet I didn’t mind

Answer 27

Humour

Gold toilet is decadent but funny

Question 28

Look, we all have wishes; granted

Answer 28

Accepts and acknowledges that it is normal to wish for things

Question 29

• but who has wishes granted

Answer 29

Word play emphasises abnormality of the wish literally being granted

Question 30

Him.

Answer 30

Single word

Sarcastic, annoyed

Question 31

Do you know about gold?

Answer 31

Rhetorical question

Implore reader to understand he significance and enormity

Question 32

It feeds no one

Answer 32

Subverts or challenges the traditional connotations- we don’t usually associate gold with food

Question 33

Aurum

Answer 33

Word choice

Colour reference to gold