Power Shifts in Queen Kong

The poem presents the reader with a power shift from male to female but could also highlight that the story is not simply restricted too male perspective. In this light, Duffy is, like in ‘Mrs. Midas’, highlighting how certain members of society are exploited and how, despite popular belief, women often have control over men. This is reinforced when Queen Kong states how he is “my (her) little man”. This reveals her affection towards the man but also significantly displays his physical inferiority.

The use of the possessive pronoun “my’ again possibly reveals her care for the man but also possibly signifies her ownership of the man and thus shows how she is control. Duffy use of humor is also apparent throughout this poem. This is evident when the people in the village do not hear because they are “used to strangers”-The image of a gorilla walking the streets and no one noticing is completely absurd. There is a further element of humor when Queen Kong states how she is “especially fond of pastrami on rye”.

Here, Duffy is straining the Bohemian lifestyle. This comic effect is also conveyed in stanza 7 when Queen Kong states “l was discreet, prowled those trees in darkness”. Additionally the notion of her going shopping without anyone noticing adds to the absurdity of the idea and the image of a huge gorilla walking through a shop adds to comical effect Duffy is trying to create. The annalistic instincts and desires of Queen Kong are notable on several occasions In the poem. The long nights In the heat” reveal her physical reaction and emphasizes her annalistic behavior in that It Is her natural Instinct to mate. The way Queen Kong explicitly reveals how she “put the tip of (her) tongue to the grape of his flesh” again emphasizes her annalistic behavior with the alliteration stressing how they went straight to having sex. This accentuates the Idea that It was lust and not romance that brought them to have sex. Queen Kong Just using the man to satisfy her own desires -control that she has over concept reinforced by the Idea that she was “lonely’- Italicized stressing her desperation? The control and superiority of queen Kong Is again apparent In stanza 9 “l picked him up Like a chocolate from the top layer” – whilst the simile portrays the man as desirable and metaphorically tasty, ultimately he has no control. This concept Is developed when queen Kong refers to the helicopters as “dragonflies”.

This metaphor reveals the extent of her power and physicality. Moreover, It can be connected to the threat made earlier on In the poem that she “could swat his plane from the sky Like a gnat”- effective In disclosing her control and how he Is physically Inferior. -shift of power from male to female- male’s often use their physical strength as a threat and In that way are normally superior to women. Power Shifts in Queen Kong By nekton highlight that the story is not simply restricted to a male perspective.

In this light, instincts and desires of Queen Kong are notable on several occasions in the poem. “The long nights in the heat” reveal her physical reaction and emphasizes her annalistic behavior in that it is her natural instinct to mate. The way Queen Kong straight to having sex. This accentuates the idea that it was lust and not romance desires -control that she has over concept reinforced by the idea that she was “lonely’- italicized stressing her desperation?

The control and superiority of queen Kong is again apparent in stanza 9 “l picked him up like a chocolate from the top ultimately he has no control. This concept is developed when queen Kong refers to physicality. Moreover, it can be connected to the threat made earlier on in the poem that she “could swat his plane from the sky like a gnat”- effective in disclosing her control and how he is physically inferior.