The Diet Carol Ann Duffy
A surreal tale about a woman’s battle with anorexia A surreal tale about a woman’s battle with anorexia. The tone is fantastical and becomes bizarre as she shrinks into a “germ” size.
The surreal fantasy alludes to the deluded state of mind of an anorexic. The fantastical elements reflect the detachment from reality which anorexia sufferers endure.
The ending is ambiguous in its meaning, reflecting how anorexia is never really “cured” and can always return to haunt the sufferer.
“she”
“she” the lack of name reflects how common an issue dieting and anorexia is for women in modern society.
“No sugar, salt, dairy, fat, protein starch, alcohol.”
“No sugar, salt, dairy, fat, protein starch, alcohol.” The prefix of “No” reminds the reader of the modern obsession with fad diets.
“No sugar, salt, dairy, fat, protein starch, alcohol.” The prefix of “No” reminds the reader of the modern obsession with fad diets. Also the long list of what is excluded from the diet emphasises to the reader how diets often exclude important nutritious food groups.
sibilance “she starved on, stayed in, stared in”
makes the reader salivate reminding them of the hunger she must feel sibilance “she starved on, stayed in, stared in” makes the reader salivate reminding them of the hunger she must feel and simultaneously hinting at her own desire and enjoyment of the starvation.
The language of the second stanza then becomes fairly shocking as the imagery hints at death and suffering:
“Her skeleton preened under its tight flesh dress”. The language of the second stanza then becomes fairly shocking as the imagery hints at death and suffering: “Her skeleton preened under its tight flesh dress”.
“Her skeleton preened under its tight flesh dress”. The language of the second stanza then becomes fairly shocking as the imagery hints at death and suffering: metaphor “Her skeleton preened under its tight flesh dress”.
This reminds the reader of the horror that is anorexia. The language of the second stanza then becomes fairly shocking as the imagery hints at death and suffering: metaphor “Her skeleton preened under its tight flesh dress”. This reminds the reader of the horror that is anorexia.
The horror is reinforced by “She was anorexia’s true daughter”
The horror is reinforced by Personification “She was anorexia’s true daughter”
The horror is reinforced by Personification “She was anorexia’s true daughter” reflects the hold it has on people, it also hints at how Anorexia victims obsess with weight and begin to only find comfort in their deepening condition.
Surreal turn
Surreal turn “seed small” “a germ”
Surreal turn absurd “seed small” “a germ”
Surreal turn absurd “seed small” “a germ” The ludicrous description of the shrinking emphasises the ludicrously horrific nature of the condition.
The final line
“inside the fat woman now, trying to get out” The final line “inside the fat woman now, trying to get out”
“inside the fat woman now, trying to get out” ambiguous and unclear The final line “inside the fat woman now, trying to get out”
“inside the fat woman now, trying to get out” ambiguous and unclear The final line “inside the fat woman now, trying to get out” But it reminds the reader of the clichéd saying “I’m a thin person trapped in fat person’s body”, while alluding to the fact that anorexia is rarely beaten and always lives on in the minds of its victims.
“inside the fat woman now, trying to get out” ambiguous and unclear The final line “inside the fat woman now, trying to get out” But it reminds the reader of the clichéd saying “I’m a thin person trapped in fat person’s body”, while alluding to the fact that anorexia is rarely beaten and always lives on in the minds of its victims.
The poem’s structure is interesting as each stanza finishes with a short line, this is then followed with the first line of the next stanza indenting to where the previous has ended. This structure visually suggests a continuation from stanza to stanza, reflecting her continued starvation and as the poem allows no space to pause, so her starvation is continuous.
The poem is written in free verse, avoiding any rhyme or rhythm The poem is written in free verse, avoiding any rhyme or rhythm. The lack of conformity reflects the main character’s rejection of reality to follow her obsession with dieting and losing weight.