How the Poem Stealing by Carol Ann Duffy Creates a Sense of a Real Person Speaking

How the Poem Stealing by Carol Ann Duffy Creates a Sense of a Real Person Speaking

It takes the form of a Monologue where the reader can judge him and

have an insight of his life.

The title 'Stealing' suggests crime and madness. People usually steal

something they need, whereas the character takes a snowman which is

not essential in life. This would show a sign of madness. At the

beginning of the poem the reader has no sympathy for the character

because of the theft which gives the character a negative personality.

The poem is organized with 5 verses each having 5 lines and each

dealing with different aspects of the poem. The poem is written in

monologue, this would show a sign of madness, loneliness and boredom

because of him stealing a snowman.

The poem begins with a question 'The most unusual thing I ever stole?'

This could suggest he is asking himself a question or has been asked a

question and he is repeating the question to himself. The use of the

word 'unusual' is to get the reader's attention. It goes on further by

saying what he stole 'A snowman', this is unusual which could show his

madness.

The next line sets the time, setting and atmosphere 'Midnight'. The

character describes the snowman as 'Magnificent' it appeals to him so

that he is filled with admiration. The reader at this point doesn't

think that the character is dangerous but odd and unusual. The

character then says he wants the snowman as 'a mate' this shows that

he wants a friend. The reader will immediately have sympathy for him

because he has no friends and he is lonely. The character further on

describes the snowman form the inside 'a mind as cold as the slice of

ice', this shows that the character is ruthless and emotionally empty.

This suggests that he is very lonely and could explain why he wants a

friend.

The second verse looks at the philosophy of life because he doesn't

seem to have a life; part of it is knowing it.