How does the poem 'Stealing' create a sense of real person speaking? Does the reader have any sympathy for the character?

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How does the poem 'Stealing' create a sense of real person speaking? Does the reader have any sympathy for the character?

The poem 'Stealing' written by Carol Ann Duffy is about a character that has been rejected.

It takes the form of a Monologue where the reader can judge him and have an insight of his life.

The title 'Stealing' suggests crime and madness. People usually steal something they need, whereas the character takes a snowman which is not essential in life. This would show a sign of madness. At the beginning of the poem the reader has no sympathy for the character because of the theft which gives the character a negative personality.

The poem is organized with 5 verses each having 5 lines and each dealing with different aspects of the poem. The poem is written in monologue, this would show a sign of madness, loneliness and boredom because of him stealing a snowman.

The poem begins with a question 'The most unusual thing I ever stole?' This could suggest he is asking himself a question or has been asked a question and he is repeating the question to himself. The use of the word 'unusual' is to get the reader's attention. It goes on further by saying what he stole 'A snowman', this is unusual which could show his madness.

The next line sets the time, setting and atmosphere 'Midnight'. The character describes the snowman as 'Magnificent' it appeals to him so that he is filled with admiration. The reader at this point doesn't think that the character is dangerous but odd and unusual. The character then says he wants the snowman as 'a mate' this shows that he wants a friend. The reader will immediately have sympathy for him because he has no friends and he is lonely. The character further on describes the snowman form the inside 'a mind as cold as the slice of ice', this shows that the character is ruthless and emotionally empty. This suggests that he is very lonely and could explain why he wants a friend.
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The second verse looks at the philosophy of life because he doesn't seem to have a life; part of it is knowing it. The character further goes on to describe the snowman 'weighed a ton' this shows he is obviously

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carrying the snowman. The character starts to cause himself pain 'piercing my gut'. There is some intimacy between the character and the snowman which suggests he is very lonely 'hugged' and the reader would have more sympathy for him. The character then shows his feelings to kids 'Part of the thrill was ...

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