Mrs Beast - Carol Ann Duffy

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Mrs Beast - Carol Ann Duffy

The original story of Beauty and the Beast, teaches its young audience not to judge people by their appearances. Despite how a person may look on the outside, beauty comes from within. Carol Ann Duffy’s dramatic monologue, ‘Mrs Beast’ is a complete contrast to the original fairytale. The Beast in the original is misunderstood but kind, loving and generous, as he is in Duffy’s version. ‘Belle’on the other hand has transformed from a kind and loving, young girl that views the world with childlike innocence, into an independent, cold hearted, power hungry, sadist. She introduces herself firstly by comparing her beauty to that of other beautiful and influential women throughout history“…stare into my face -Helen’s face, Cleopatra’s,…Gaze into my eyes -Nefertiti’s, Mona Lisa’s, Garbo’s…” These are all beautiful women who’s downfalls were caused indirectly, by the actions of the men in their lives. Mrs Beast continues and tells the reader to“…think again.“ Implying that although she is as beautiful as these women, she is not to be underestimated, she is not like them and will not befall the same fate.  

       Before the first stanza comes to an end you are already witness to Mrs Beasts resentment towards the male species, she makes a mockery of  ‘The Little Mermaid’, who alters herself in order to impress the Prince. Through the use of alliteration she describes the ordeal of The Mermaids transformation, she ‘slits“…her shining, silver tail in two, rubbed salt/ into that stinking wound, got up and walked,” and then despite the agony, stands, puts on a smile and dances for the Prince, only for him to throw her overboard. ”they’re bastards when they’re Princes.” 

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       The manner in which Duffy presents Mrs Beast makes it obvious that the dark humour, satire and puns shown throughout the poem are intentional and the opinion of Mrs Beast herself, she is that kind of person. Her mockery and references to the ‘stinking’ fishy ‘wound‘, the ‘fish’ ‘net’ tights and throwing the mermaid overboard - back to the sea - reflect her amusement at the stupidity of other females. Yet at the same time, she has obviously experienced this situation herself: “I could have told her - look, love, I should know,”

   

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