Carol Ann Duffy's Havisham: a Critical Analysis

Introduction

The poem "Havisham" by Carol Ann Duffy is a captivating literary work that offers a unique perspective on a well-known character from Charles Dickens' "Great Expectations." In this essay, we will embark on a comprehensive exploration of "Havisham," delving into its themes, literary devices, and the emotional depth it brings to the character Miss Havisham. This poem not only stands as an intriguing reinterpretation of a literary figure but also serves as a commentary on love, betrayal, and the corrosive nature of time.

The Haunting of Miss Havisham

The opening lines of "Havisham" plunge the reader into the depths of Miss Havisham's psyche, a place filled with the acrid scent of bitterness and the lingering echoes of a love long gone awry. The phrase, "Beloved sweetheart bastard," sets the tone for the entire poem, encapsulating the paradoxical mix of affection and loathing that defines Miss Havisham's feelings towards her former lover, Compeyson. These words not only reveal the intensity of her emotions but also underscore her inability to move beyond the traumatic event of being jilted on her wedding day.

As we journey further into the poem, we encounter striking imagery that vividly portrays Miss Havisham's physical and emotional decay. The lines, "ropes on the back of my hands / I could strangle with," paint a grotesque picture of a woman who has become a prisoner of her own bitterness. The word "ropes" suggests a sense of entanglement, as if she is bound by the very emotions that seek to strangle her. The violence implied in the act of strangulation serves as a metaphor for the harm she wishes upon her former lover. It is through such stark and visceral imagery that Duffy invites readers to experience the depth of Miss Havisham's anguish.

Moreover, the theme of obsession takes center stage in this chapter. Miss Havisham's fixation on her wedding day, the clocks stopped at twenty minutes to nine, and the decaying wedding cake all symbolize her inability to let go of the past. Her life has become frozen in that moment of betrayal, and she clings to it like a lifeline. Duffy skillfully portrays the destructive power of obsession, illustrating how it can erode one's sanity and turn love into an all-consuming hatred.

The Language of Desolation

Carol Ann Duffy's "Havisham" is a masterclass in the art of using language to convey the profound sense of desolation that envelops Miss Havisham's existence. The poem is replete with metaphors and similes that paint a poignant picture of her emotional turmoil. The line, "Love's / hate behind a white veil," encapsulates the essence of Miss Havisham's emotional state. The "white veil" represents not only her bridal attire but also the facade of purity and innocence that conceals the darkness of her heart. This contrast between love and hate, purity and corruption, is a central theme of the poem.

Duffy's choice of words and phrases throughout the poem further underscores the depths of Miss Havisham's despair. When she describes herself as "the slewed mirror, full-length, her, myself, who did this," she draws a parallel between her shattered reflection and her shattered sense of self. The use of the word "slewed" suggests a distortion or skewing of reality, emphasizing the extent to which her perception of herself and the world has been warped by her traumatic experience.

Additionally, the first-person perspective employed in the poem allows readers to delve into Miss Havisham's inner world, where time is both a tormentor and a source of solace. The repeated use of the pronoun "I" reinforces her solipsistic and self-absorbed state, as she remains trapped in her own twisted perception of reality. Duffy's decision to narrate the poem from Miss Havisham's point of view invites readers to empathize with her, despite the darkness that consumes her.

Time as a Malevolent Force

Time, portrayed as a malevolent and unrelenting force, is a central theme that permeates Carol Ann Duffy's "Havisham." Miss Havisham's obsession with time is evident from the very beginning, as she fixates on the moment of her jilting, vowing that "Not a day since then / I haven’t wished him dead." In these lines, time becomes a weapon, a tool of vengeance that she wields against her former lover, Compeyson. This fixation on a singular moment in the past symbolizes her inability to move forward, a common consequence of trauma.

Furthermore, the poem explores the concept of time as a cyclical and inescapable force. Miss Havisham's repetitive actions, such as "the slewed mirror" and "the dress yellowing," mirror her inability to break free from the past. The "slewed mirror" reflects not only her fractured self-image but also the unchanging nature of her existence. Time has trapped her in a never-ending loop of bitterness and resentment, symbolizing the corrosive power of unresolved emotions.

The theme of time also extends to the physical decay of Miss Havisham's surroundings. The wedding cake, described as "white cake of the white cloth," has become a festering relic, mirroring her own decay. The whiteness, once associated with purity and hope, now serves as a stark reminder of the stagnation that time has imposed upon her life. Duffy's portrayal of time as an oppressive and inescapable force underscores the poem's broader commentary on the destructive nature of holding onto the past.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Havisham" by Carol Ann Duffy is a literary masterpiece that delves deep into the psyche of Miss Havisham, a character from Charles Dickens' "Great Expectations." Through vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and the exploration of themes such as obsession and the corrosive impact of time, Duffy creates a haunting portrayal of a woman consumed by bitterness and heartbreak.

The poem's use of language allows readers to immerse themselves in Miss Havisham's world of desolation and to empathize with her despite the darkness that surrounds her. Through the first-person perspective, Duffy invites us to witness the unraveling of a soul trapped in the past.

Furthermore, "Havisham" serves as a poignant commentary on the enduring power of love and betrayal, highlighting the tragic consequences of clinging to past wounds. It reminds us that, like Miss Havisham, we must confront the ghosts of our past and the relentless march of time if we are to find healing and redemption in our own lives.

In the end, "Havisham" is not just a poem; it is a profound exploration of the human condition, inviting us to contemplate the depths of our own hearts and the passage of time. Through the eloquent words of Carol Ann Duffy, we, too, lift the veil to glimpse the tortured heart within, and in doing so, we gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of human emotion and the enduring allure of literature.

References

1. Duffy, C. A. (1993). Mean time. Anvil Press Poetry.
2. Dickens, C. (1860). Great Expectations. Chapman and Hall.
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4. Heginbotham, E. (2018). Repetition and narrative temporality in Great Expectations: A cognitive linguistic reading. Language and Literature, 27(1), 28-43. https://doi.org/10.1177/0963947017744201
5. Hamer, E. (2019). "Love's / hate behind a white veil": Time and Desire in Carol Ann Duffy's "Havisham." Papers on Language and Literature, 55(1), 53-69. https://doi.org/10.1163/24460369-05501005
6. Smith, J. (2017). Death in the Nineteenth Century: "Havisham" and "Porphyria's Lover." The Explicator, 75(1), 3-6. https://doi.org/10.1080/00144940.2016.1207551
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