2. FORM AND STRUCTURE
The poem ‘Foreign’, describes the story of a foreigner who lives in a city unknown to him it describes their feelings
and struggles of trying to feel at home in a place which is unknown and strange to them.
The poem consists of 4 stanzas of five lines each. It doesn't follow any particular rhyme scheme however the lines
are very consistent in length and the number of words used. This gives it an overall even and rhythmic sound.
Additionally the poem is written in second person this has been done in an effort to cast the reader into the role of the
foreigner it also reads as if the speaker is attempting to convince the reader of something or make the reader
comprehend what the speaker is going through.
Throughout the poem, Duffy explores the themes of isolation, loneliness and discrimination.
3. STANZA 1
Imagine living in a strange, dark city for twenty years.
There are some dismal dwellings on the east side
and one of them is yours. On the landing, you hear
your foreign accent echo down the stairs. You think
in a language of your own and talk in theirs.
Poem begins with an imperative statement. This
involves the reader more in the poem and starts off
by engaging with them, forcing them to think and
“imagine” themselves being in place of the
persona.
They are not a new resident of this place, but
somehow it remains “strange.”
Dismal dwellings: Not even houses,
emphasises upon the poverty and
the lack structure.
Generalisation- east sides are
usually poorer areas of cities.
“Yours”- second person
pronoun helps create a
sense of familiarity.
Engages with the readers.
Not just “your accent”, but
“your foreign accent”.
Makes sure the readers are
conscious of the foreign
nature.
Even though it has been twenty years, this
person still feels out of place. Their accent has
not changed, nor has the language they “think”
in. This is another element that sets them apart.
They speak one way and think another.
“Echo” creates an
everlasting effect which
sticks with the readers
till the end of the stanza.
The concept of othering. Creates a
clear distinction emphasises upon
the unfamiliarity and differences
between the people.
Alliteration catches the
attention of the readers while
highlighting the poor condition
of the area.
4. STANZA 2
Then you are writing home. The voice in your head
recites the letter in a local dialect; behind that
is the sound of your mother singing to you,
all that time ago, and now you do not know
why your eyes are watering and what’s the word for this.
The use of the word
“home” gives a sense of
belonging which
contrasts to the use of
“dwelling” to describe
the persona’s current
residence an almost
temporary place.
Reinforces the divide between the
external and internal voice of the
persona.
The sense of belonging is
reinforced, as a dialect belongs to
a specific geographical area and
hence provides a connection to the
persona’s “home”.
The pronoun refers to
the voice in one’s head.
Behind the voice that
speaks (in the local
dialect) is the origin of
this voice - “your
mother singing to you”
The sense of belonging
to a language oriented
culture comes from
family and the first
experience with words
and hence the persona
recalls the mother’s
singing
Internal rhyme - The native
language is associated with
comfort. The connections
between place and family
despite a physical distance are
reinforced by the internal
rhyme of “ago” and “know”
that structurally mirror this
strong connection.
“The word” can be termed as nostalgia or love. The
tears and sadness stem from a feeling of loss of
both home and family, a sense of loneliness and
alienation without the family.
It also signifies the loss of language as the persona
barely gets a chance to use their “local dialect”
Alliteration of ‘w’ sound - While the
alliteration creates connection and
cohesion each alliterative word is
separated from the next emphasising the
loss of connection between the persona,
her family and home
The only way to access “home” is
through letters. It is the only time the
persona can use their native tongue
and hence feel a sense of comfort
and belonging.
5. STANZA 3
You use the public transport. Work. Sleep. Imagine one night
you saw a name for yourself sprayed in red
against a brick wall. A hate name. Red like blood.
It is snowing on the streets, under the neon lights,
as if this place were coming to bits before your eyes.
The persona moves away from nostalgia
and refers to daily life. The short
sentences and holophrastic phrases show
how mundane and lifeless the personas
life is and there is no joy. The line has a
harsh and unkind tone. The persona is
minding her own business. The
holophrastic phrase even shows the lack
of variety.
Simile- creates a powerful,
emotional image.
Symbolism- blood symbolises how
hurtful the experience is. It
intensifies the harshness of the
society on new immigrants. The
persona is living like the dead. it
gives connotations of violence.
Use of a monosyllabic word-
monosyllabic could also mean,
being reluctant to engage in a
conversation. Emphasises on the
fact that the people were not willing
to accept the personas presence.
“A hate name” is a derogatory term.
The speaker refrains from naming
the term so that the readers could
connect.
Caesura-
Exclusion from society. Creates a
sense of unwantedness. The persona
is not welcomed but is made an
outcast. The persona is being called
degrading names through
vandalism.
As it is a red paint on a brick wall,
the authorities are not able to see the
torture displayed by the graffiti. This
implies that the authorities have
blind eyes and are overlooking the
discrimination faced.
Feeling of alienation and fear. The tiny memories and
parts of life are slipping away. Their current home is
turning against the persona.
simile - corrupts the idea that snow symbolises purity.
The persona however creates an image of decay and
destruction.
Alliteration- the alliteration of the “s” sound gives
an effect of shivering and implies that the country is
cold and alienating. It does not have any warmth or
affection and the persona is not welcomed. The
snow on the streets also creates a melancholic and
grim atmosphere.
Instead of writing, “you saw your name” the persona uses the word
yourself. This personalizes the poem even more so that the audience is
able to empathise.
“A name for yourself” could imply that the persona has a respective
name given which is called out on a frequent basis.
The atmosphere is really grim with no
sunshine. Artificial lights are placed but
they aren’t enough.
6. STANZA 4
And in the delicatessen, from time to time, the coins
in your palm will not translate. Inarticulate,
because this is not home, you point at fruit. Imagine
that one of you says Me not know what these people mean.
It like they only go to bed and dream. Imagine that.
Diction- European style eatery which
sells prepared foreign foods- audience
is shown a different culture.
Diction- “coins” instead of currency shows unfamiliarity with the currency of
another country and feeling of detachment.
Metaphor- it is used to communicate; an exchange of goods or meaning. But
sometimes this money is not enough to buy or “translate” into food.
The foreigner usually converts the currency into his/her home currency to find
its value- unfamiliar and not fully accustomed.
Irony- money is a universal language which does not need to be translated.
However in this case money is identified as a foreign language.
Diction- someone who is not able to
express themselves- shows the
persona’s position in a foreign country.
Also refers to immigrant’s limited
vocabulary in the foreign country and
therefore emphasizes on the alienation
of the immigrant from the general
society and inability to express clearly.
Can’t use words (can’t speak their language) so has to use actions- language
barrier that prevents from belonging.
Parenthesis (afterthought)- emphasizes unfamiliarity and feeling of not
belonging.
Diction/ Italics (brings attention to it)-
not standard english- makes readers
empathize with foreigners and imagine
what it would be like to not be able to
communicate effectively, also
emphasizes strangeness of place and
unfamiliarity with new language.
“These people” - detachment to locals,
mocking tone.
Irony- immigrant has been living there
for 20 years and should be familiar
with locals.
Punctuation- capital M in “Me”- self
centeredness of persona- hence mocks
local language instead of embracing it.
Repetition (first and third stanza)- nostalgia of foreigners, elicits compassion and understanding from
locals, who as explained throughout the poem, are in a better position than immigrants.
Undisguised didactic stance- reader is constantly reminded to put themselves in the shoes of foreigners
and imagine this experience- as a skilled and empowered user of the english language herself, Duffy
draws attention to those who are marginalised due to their deficiency in its use.
Imperative- reinforces mocking tone.
Persona is astounded by those who go straight to sleep
without having to worry about not belonging.
Contrast between how “they” work and how persona
works.
“They only”- mocking tone.
Bad grammar reinforces foreign side of speaker.
Frequent visits to the store-
foreigner needs to buy ready
made food- hasn’t settled in
properly.
Punctuation- commas show extent
of time- relates to homesickness
(times goes slowly because of
how much persona misses home)-
emphasizes the extreme
emotional implications of a
foreigner.
7. CONCLUSION
‘Foreign’ by Carol Ann Duffy is an expressive poem describing the struggles foreigners has to go through.
The poem demands the audience to empathise with the speaker.
The poem emphasises on the persona's feelings of unfamiliarity and not belonging in the “foreign” place. It
also shows the language barrier she faces. It is an emotional exploration of the readers thoughts. Duffy shows
the reader the difference between a ‘house’ and a ‘home’. She shows the readers the emotional attachment
that exists between a family, home land, culture and language. The persona is forced to assimilate even
though they don’t feel like they belong in this country causing a feeling of loneliness and alienation.
The poem illuminates the fact that home is not where one lives, but where they belong.
