Warming Her Pearls Reflection

How does Duffy use dichotomy to explore a global issue in Warming Her Pearls?’ How do other techniques (such as sound) contribute to this)?

In the poem “Warming Her Pearls” by Carol Ann Duffy, the poet employs the use of dichotomy, contrasting elements, and other techniques to explore a global issue that delves into the complex power dynamics and social class disparities within intimate relationships, shedding light on how socioeconomic inequality and privilege shape interactions, perpetuating a hierarchical structure that marginalises individuals based on their social standing. The poem presents a complex relationship between the maid and her mistress, examining themes of proximity vs distance, hot vs cold, rich vs poor, and indifference vs desire.

The proximity vs distance dichotomy is evident in the physical and emotional distance between the maid and her mistress. For instance, Duffy writes, “Next to my own skin, her pearls” Here, the pearls represent the mistress’s privileged position, while the act of the maid wearing and warming them reflects her attempt to bridge the physical and emotional gap between them. This further shows how though the maid and mistress are always so close physically, there is a metaphorical distance between them created by the difference in their social class. The use of the words ‘my’ and ‘her’ show how the maid does not have ownership of this life, and therefore will not ever be able to own these pearls herself. Additionally, this is highly contrasted with the line later in the poem “Slack on my neck, her rope”. The juxtaposition of the rope and the pearls shows the tether between her and the mistress, however, there is a contrast in the pearls being for those of the upper class, whereas the maid only deserves a rope. Furthermore, this portrays the maid as a slave, showing how she is forever doing what the mistress says. However, she is ‘willingly’ doing this work, showing how it may be some kind of sexual fantasy as the connotations of this word shows how she enjoys being attached by the rope. Whilst the mistress sees her as a slave, the maid sees herself as the mistress’s partner, playing into her fantasy and delusion of the pearls being something they both share. Overall, this represents the distance between classes in society, and how higher classes have more access to opportunities etc, whilst the lower class must suffer with the inferior and less privileged lifestyle.

The hot vs cold dichotomy in the poem serves multiple purposes, the heat shows the maid’s passion and desire, whilst the cold shows the mistress’s indifference. This is shown as the maid “warm(s)” her pearls “willingly” showing heat as a positive symbol of the love the maid feels for the mistress. The heat is also portrayed whenever the maid is in close proximity to the pearls, portrayed with positive connotations. However, when she is apart from them Duffy writes the maid thinking “I feel their absence and I burn”. Connotations of “burn” are much more negative as the sensation is harmful and dangerous, hence this heat can be seen as the opposite of when she is close to the pearls, showing her discomfort. Additionally, the mistress’s “cool, white throat” displays her indifference and the separation/distance between her and the maid. From her point of view, there is no connection, and therefore the absence of closeness and proximity is represented by the dichotomy of heat. The hot and cold imagery suggests the contrasting emotions experienced by the maid. Her desire for a deeper connection and warmth is implied through the act of warming the pearls, while the mistress remains cool and detached. This portrays the wider issue of how those of lower classes often don’t gain access to their desires, and often even their needs are unable to be met. The power dynamics in life and around the world ensure that lower classes are much less able to make decisions pertaining to their own wants, and must instead help those who are more privileged.

The rich vs poor dichotomy is evident through the stark contrast between the items associated with the mistress, representing items people of the higher class would normally possess, and the portrayal of the maid’s impoverished existence. The mistress possesses luxurious possessions such as “gown(s)”, “pearls”, a fan, and a mirror, which symbolise wealth and privilege. In contrast, the maid longs to express herself and desires to speak her mind but is silenced in the presence of her mistress, highlighting her subordinate position as someone from a lower socioeconomic class. This is shown as the maid thinks “I want to speak”, but feels she is unable to. The maid’s thoughts revolve around her mistress as “all day (she) thinks of her”, emphasising the power dynamics at play and the preoccupation with the mistress’s world. The maid’s “dream” and vision represent her longing for a life beyond her confined existence in the attic. The “attic” serves as a metaphorical representation of her marginalised position, being hidden away and overlooked within the household. The contrast between the opulent “yellow room” and the maid’s “attic” further underscores the disparity in social class. The yellow room, with no specific purpose other than leisure or indulgence, reflects the mistress’s extravagant lifestyle. In contrast, the attic is portrayed as a dingy space with storage as it’s primary use, reflecting the maid’s objectified status and her confinement to a room assigned for menial purposes, further degrading her. This portrays the outlook of society on different classes. Whilst the higher class is seen as opulent and grand, the lower classes are seen as dirty, and not as deserving of basic human rights.

Additionally, the poem examines the dichotomy of indifference vs desire. The mistress’s indifference is implied through her detachment and the coldness of the pearls. Duffy writes, “slow heat entering each pearl”, showing how the maid is giving up her and her comfort in order the benefit the mistress and show her love for her. She warms the pearls with her own body heat, showing the attraction and intimacy through careful care of the pearls using her own body, whilst the mistress remains indifferent to the effort the maid is putting in. This indifference is shown as “she fans herself”. Though the mistress may be doing this as an act of boredom whilst waiting for the maid to finish, this instead feeds into the maid’s delusion and fantasy that the mistress feels the same way. The maid may believe the mistress is fanning herself to cool herself down as she feels hot and passionate from the maid’s actions. The mistress sees the maid merely as a servant fulfilling her duties in contrast to the maid’s desire for a more intimate connection, and this can be deciphered by the readers using social class hints to make inferences, portraying how even us as the audience recognise how this relationship majority of the time would not successfully take place in the real world, and is forever a dream.

The soft sounds in the poem evoke a gentle and tender atmosphere. The use of words such as “soft,” “blush,” and “seep” creates a sensual and intimate tone through the use of sibilance. These soft sounds and the delicate imagery suggest a yearning for closeness and a desire to be physically and emotionally connected with the mistress. While the poem does not explicitly delve into the sexual nature of the maid’s desire, the soft sounds and the imagery can be interpreted as hinting at a deeper, more intimate longing. The act of dusting the mistress’s shoulders with a rabbit’s foot can be seen as a sensual and delicate gesture, symbolising the maid’s desire for a closer physical and emotional connection. The soft blush seeping through the mistress’s skin may be interpreted as the maid’s yearning for her touch to ignite a passionate response.

The repeated use of the ‘s’ and ‘sh’ sounds throughout the poem, such as in the lines “soft blush seep through her skin like an indolent sigh,” mimics the sound of the sigh itself. These sounds are produced by the exhale of breath, creating a gentle and soothing effect. They contribute to the overall musicality and rhythm of the poem, enhancing the reader’s immersion in the maid’s world. The ‘s’ and ‘sh’ sounds also evoke a sense of secrecy and intimacy. The whisper-like quality of these sounds suggests that the maid’s desires and actions are carried out in a hushed and concealed manner, as she keeps them concealed due to some acknowledgement of their difference in lifestyles. They create an atmosphere of whispered confessions as if the maid is sharing her most intimate longings and thoughts throughout this poem. Furthermore, the similarity between the ‘s’ and ‘sh’ sounds and the sound of a sigh reflects the maid’s unfulfilled desires and longing. A sigh often connotes longing, resignation, or a release of pent-up emotions. The ‘s’ and ‘sh’ sounds capture the essence of this longing and yearning, resonating with the sigh-like quality of the maid’s unfulfilled desires. The use of sound further emphasises how the desires of the lower class often go unaccomplished, as they don’t have the means, resources, or opportunities that the upper class have access to, and therefore cannot access their full potential and wants.

In conclusion, Carol Ann Duffy utilises dichotomy, contrasting elements, and sound techniques in “Warming Her Pearls” to explore a global issue of power dynamics and social inequality. Through the exploration of proximity vs distance, hot vs cold, rich vs poor, and indifference vs desire, the poem sheds light on the complex dynamics between the maid and her mistress, revealing broader themes related to class and privilege. The use of sound enhances the emotional impact of the poem and further contributes to its exploration of these global issues.