Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Litany" by Carol Ann Duffy is a compelling poem that delves into the social facades and unspoken tensions of suburban life during the poet's childhood. The title itself, "Litany," refers to a form of prayer consisting of a series of invocations or supplications, but here it is repurposed to suggest a repetitive and ritualistic aspect of social interaction among a group of women, characterized by superficiality and materialism.

The poem opens with a nostalgic yet critical tone, listing items that symbolize a conventional and somewhat dated domesticity: "candlewick bedspread three piece suite display cabinet." These objects set the scene in a typical middle-class home of the time, where appearances are meticulously curated to reflect societal norms and values.

The women in the poem, described as "stiff-haired wives with their red smiles," are depicted as performing their social roles, mechanically passing around a catalogue of domestic items like Pyrex. This act of passing the catalogue suggests a ritualistic sharing of communal values centered around homemaking and consumerism.

Duffy introduces a sense of underlying discontent and gossip through the image of "a tiny ladder / ran up Mrs. Barr’s American Tan leg, sly / like a rumor." This visual of a run in the stocking hints at imperfections beneath the surface, paralleling the whispered exchanges that might circulate among the group, indicative of cracks in their perfect veneer.

The poem intensifies with the mention of "The terrible marriages crackled, cellophane / round polyester shirts," where the comparison of strained relationships to the artificial and uncomfortable wrapping of polyester shirts in cellophane evokes a sense of suffocation and pretense. This metaphor extends to the social atmosphere, which becomes charged and tense when a taboo or "embarrassing word" is mentioned, breaking the polite conversation into something fraught with discomfort.

This uncomfortable moment is likened to an accident, a disruption that unsettles the air and exposes the fragility of their social etiquette. Duffy captures the oppressive nature of this environment through the code of conduct she learned as a child, where no unpleasant realities ("cancer, or sex, or debts") are acknowledged or discussed openly.

The poem shifts to a personal memory, where the speaker recalls a moment of rebellion when she used a swear word in the playground. This act, which brings a "thrilled malicious pause," momentarily disrupts the social order, leading to uproar and a cascade of apologies to the scandalized women. This moment is pivotal as it reveals the speaker’s early awareness of the power of language and the stifling limitations of her social world.

The concluding lines of the poem, "My mother’s mute shame. The taste of soap," poignantly reflect the consequences of deviating from accepted norms. The taste of soap, traditionally used to wash out a child's mouth as punishment for swearing, symbolizes the suppression of voice and the enforcement of conformity through shaming techniques.

Overall, "Litany" is a powerful critique of the superficial social interactions and the oppressive cultural norms that govern behavior in a particular suburban milieu. Duffy uses vivid imagery and a personal anecdote to underscore the tension between outward conformity and underlying discontent, capturing the complexity of navigating social expectations and the longing for authentic expression.

POEM TEXT: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LfPEvgEym1hHzFJ4ACnwJTXllkVxtvQwo7RiYV9w5c0/edit

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