What is an example of a strong analysis of a quotation?

Using quotations can be hard, especially when trying to analyse them. First think of how you can use the following criteria: form, style, language, imagery, tone, subject matter and theme. Any of these that are relevant, try to use when analysing your quote. An example of an analysis from the poem 'Pygmalion's Bride'. Patriarchal control is shown through sexual violence committed against women. Duffy confronts the idea of sexual violence being used to oppress women in her poem ‘Pygmalion’s Bride’, a poem which depicts a male behaving towards his ideal woman in an inappropriate fashion. The break in the line “I thought He will not touch me / But He did.", emphasises that she has not approved the act, and is not willing for him to touch her but she cannot stop him. The full stop at the end of the line ‘But he did.’ makes the writer sound detached from the situation. Arguably, the full stop denotes a matter-of-fact manner, trying to imply women are used to this kind of treatment. Furthermore the capitalisation of ‘He’ perhaps suggests he is dominant or higher class, suggesting that, in a way, could make it acceptable.

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Answered by Meg A. English Literature tutor

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