The Diet Poem Analysis

Carol Ann Duffy’s, The Diet, employs a variety of literary techniques to explore loss of identity, dieting, eating disorders and the ways in which these themes interconnect with feminism and femininity. The Diet is part of a collection of poems entitled the Feminine Gospels, the focus of which is showcasing the less desirable aspects of womanhood and providing social commentary on female issues, usually told from the perspective of a woman. The theme of change and transformation is also presented in this poem, connecting it to other poems in the collection such as The Woman Who Shopped which also incorporate change and transformation.

In the opening stanza of the poem, the diet and character undertaking the diet are presented to the reader. …show more content…
It goes on to say that, “the last apple aged in the fruit bowl, untouched. The skimmed milk soured in the fridge, unsupped”. The ironic use of foods that would already be considered slimming and healthy in this context emphasises the extent of her diet. The use of an apple is particularly significant as it has biblical connotations, particularly, a connection with the story of Adam and Eve which could also be a reference to femininity. There are also associations between apples and temptation. The combination of the mention of food and drink could also be alluding to Alice in Wonderland and the substances labelled “eat me”, and “drink me”, which transport her into surrealism. The connection to children 's stories throughout the poem not only adds elements of fantasy but also creates a perception that the character is naive, innocent or childlike. The transportation into surrealism is particularly significant as it resembles the way in which sufferers of eating disorders often experience detachment from reality and resultantly begin to live in …show more content…
She is “fetched up”, a use of language which brings to mind vomiting and could allude to the development of bulimia. A series of the food items being consumed are listed, beginning with, carrots, peas, courgettes, a seemingly intentional choice of foods that may seem unappealing and mirror the characters repulsion of food. The closing stanza is intentionally ambiguous. It mimics the use of a list from the first stanzas except includes a list of luxurious foods. The stanza proceeds with, “She knew where she was all right, clambered onto the greasy breast of a goose, opened wide, then chomped and chewed and gorged; inside the Fat Woman now, trying to get out”. This leaves the reader to question whether she has, to her own disgust, began eating again, whether the ‘Fat Woman’, refers to actual weight gain or simply alludes to her body dysmorphia, or whether she has actually been