Student Question
In "Stealing" by Carol Ann Duffy, what techniques does she use to describe life without purpose?
Quick answer:
Carol Ann Duffy uses the metaphor of a snowman to illustrate life without purpose in her poem "Stealing." The act of stealing a snowman, an absurd and whimsical object, symbolizes the emptiness and aimlessness in society. This metaphor highlights the theme of stealing things without need, reflecting a pervasive sense of hopelessness and lack of direction.
The snowman is a metaphor. There is really no reason to steal a snowman. A snowman is a ridiculous thing to steal, and it also represents the whimsy of childhood. By using the metaphor of the snowman, Duffy reinforces the idea of “sometimes I steal things I don't need” that pervades our society’s sense of hopelessness.
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