Before You Were Mine by Carol Ann Duffy is a nostalgic and intimate exploration of the relationship between a mother and daughter. The poem delves into themes of love, identity, and the passage of time through the lens of memory and imagination. Duffy uses evocative imagery and vivid language to depict the daughter's fascination with her mother's past, while also reflecting on the impact of motherhood on her own life. You can read the poem below and find analysis further down the page.
Before You Were Mine by Carol Ann Duffy
I'm ten years away from the corner you laugh on
with your pals, Maggie McGeeney and Jean Duff.
The three of you bend from the waist, holding
each other, or your knees, and shriek at the pavement.
Your polka-dot dress blows round your legs. Marilyn.
I'm not here yet. The thought of me doesn't occur
in the ballroom with the thousand eyes, the fizzy, movie tomorrows
the right walk home could bring. I knew you would dance
like that. Before you were mine, your Ma stands at the close
with a hiding for the late one. You reckon it's worth it.
The decade ahead of my loud, possessive yell was the best one, eh?
I remember my hands in those high-heeled red shoes, relics,
and now your ghost clatters toward me over George Square
till I see you, clear as scent, under the tree,
with its lights, and whose small bites on your neck, sweetheart?
Cha cha cha! You'd teach me the steps on the way home from Mass,
stamping stars from the wrong pavement. Even then
I wanted the bold girl winking in Portobello, somewhere
in Scotland, before I was born. That glamorous love lasts
where you sparkle and waltz and laugh before you were mine.
Structure:
The poem consists of three stanzas of varying lengths, reflecting the shifting perspectives and memories of the speaker.
Duffy employs a mix of enjambment and end-stopped lines, creating a rhythmic and flowing narrative that mirrors the fluidity of memory.
The poem concludes with a poignant final line that encapsulates the daughter's admiration and longing for her mother's past.
Analysis:
Title: The title "Before You Were Mine" immediately establishes the central theme of the poem - the daughter's curiosity and fascination with her mother's life before she was born.
Imagery and Language: Duffy uses vivid imagery and sensory language to evoke the sights, sounds, and emotions of the past. Phrases like "sparkling air" and "high-heeled red shoes" create a sense of nostalgia and longing, while also highlighting the daughter's imaginative reconstruction of her mother's youth.
Mother-Daughter Relationship: The poem explores the intimate bond between mother and daughter, as the speaker reflects on the sacrifices her mother made to raise her. Despite the passage of time, the daughter's admiration and love for her mother remain unwavering.
Identity and Legacy: Duffy examines the theme of identity and inheritance, as the daughter traces her own characteristics back to her mother's past. The poem suggests that the daughter's sense of self is shaped, in part, by her mother's experiences and influence.
Time and Memory: Through the use of memory and imagination, Duffy explores the ways in which the past continues to shape the present. The poem celebrates the enduring power of memory to connect generations and preserve moments of love and intimacy.
Themes:
Motherhood and Sacrifice: The poem celebrates the selflessness and sacrifice of mothers, highlighting the ways in which their love shapes the lives of their children.
Memory and Imagination: Duffy explores the power of memory and imagination to bridge the gap between past and present, allowing the daughter to connect with her mother's youth.
Identity and Inheritance: The poem reflects on the ways in which individuals inherit traits and characteristics from their parents, shaping their sense of self and identity.
Key Quotes:
"Stern, as you stood at the ironing board"
"I'm ten years away from the corner you laugh on"
"Your ghost clatters toward me over George Square"
"The decade ahead of my loud, possessive yell was the best one, eh?"
Conclusion:
Before You Were Mine by Carol Ann Duffy is a poignant exploration of the enduring bond between mother and daughter, celebrating the power of memory and imagination to connect generations. Through evocative imagery and vivid language, Duffy invites readers to reflect on the ways in which the past continues to shape the present, while also highlighting the profound impact of maternal love and sacrifice.
You can find analysis of all the Love and Relationships Poetry Anthology Poems here.
