Analyse Language in 'Before You Were Mine'

Want to practise your language analysis in 'Before You Were Mine'?

Good! You've come to the right place. All you need to do is refer to the poem 'Before You Were Mine' in your anthology! 

To quickly recap the poem: Carol Anne Duffy is looking at an old picture (or pictures) of her mother and imagining what her mother's past life was like. The poem is full of meaningful language which really showcases the speaker's attitude, and the themes she chooses to focus on.

Take notes as you do this activity. It'll help you absorb more information if you write down all the new things you learn. Take your time and read the teacher's explanation carefully - it's full of helpful gems!

You should always refer to your own text when working through these examples.  These quotations are for reference only.