The document provides context and analysis for the poem "Stealing" by Carol Ann Duffy. It includes: 1) An excerpt from the poem in which the narrator describes stealing a snowman one night and their feelings of boredom. 2) Discussion questions about the poem's form as a dialogue and significance of items stolen. 3) A list of poetic devices used in the poem, such as internal rhyme, alliteration, and enjambment. 4) Homework instructions to write an essay plan analyzing "Stealing" along with other Duffy poems.

1. ‘ Stealing’ by Carol Ann Duffy Have you ever stolen something? If so, what and why did you do it?

2. In this lesson we will… Explore Stealing by Carol Ann Duffy Look at the effect of conversational monologues Examine the poetic devices used Link the poem with Duffy’s other work

3. Stealing The most unusual thing I ever stole? A snowman. Midnight. He looked magnificent; a tall, white mute beneath the winter moon. I wanted him, a mate with a mind as cold as the slice of ice within my own brain. I started with the head. Better off dead than giving in, not taking what you want. He weighed a ton; his torso, frozen stiff, hugged to my chest, a fierce chill piercing my gut. Part of the thrill was knowing that children would cry in the morning. Life’s tough. Sometimes I steal things I don’t need. I joy-ride cars to nowhere, break into houses just to have a look. I’m a mucky ghost, leave a mess, maybe pinch a camera. I watch my gloved hand twisting the doorknob. A stranger’s bedroom. Mirrors. I sigh like this - Aah .

4. The poem seems to be part of a dialogue. How do we know this? It took some time. Reassembled him in the yard, he didn’t look the same. I took a run and booted him. Again. Again. My breath ripped out in rags. It seems daft now. Then I was standing alone amongst lumps of snow, sick of the world Boredom. Mostly I’m so bored I could eat myself. One time, I stole a guitar and thought I might learn to play. I nicked a bust of Shakespeare once, flogged it, but the snowman was the strangest. You don’t understand a word I’m saying, do you? Work in pairs to decide who the narrator is speaking to and what is being said between each stanza. 8 minutes

5. What is the significance of the items that have been stolen?

6. Make a list of the poetic features that you will want to write about in your exam Internal rhyme - “slice of ice,” “chill… thrill.” Alliteration - repetition of ‘M’ in stanza 1 Cliché - “Life’s tough” Jarring vocabulary - “He looked magnificent” Striking images - “Mucky ghost” Use of enjambment - to mimic speech? Occasional pentameter - “He didn’t look the same…” 3 minutes

7. In this lesson we will… Explore Stealing by Carol Ann Duffy Look at the effect of conversational monologues Examine the poetic devices used Link the poem with Duffy’s other work

8. Homework In the exam you will be asked to… Write a detailed essay plan of the features you would discuss when looking at ‘Education for Leisure,’ ‘Stealing’ and any other Duffy poem you’re familiar with.