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Analysis of Caul

Synopsis= A caul is when a baby is born still in their amniotic sac, this was deemed as especially lucky and as a result sailors would buy the caul and use it as a token of luck. It is significant to note that Duffy was born within her caul therefore this poem has a somewhat autobiographical sense and one could argue that the caul is a symbol of Duffy's fortune.

 Key Quotations + Analysis= 
1.) "I'll never be drowned"

  • Here the speaker is perhaps reliant on the fortune that her caul brings her and it is a part of her that will "never" diminish, 
  • "never" alludes to a tone of sarcasm which is significant as cauls were supposed to prevent a sailor from drowning at sea. Therefore, this sarcastic attitude is perhaps a result of misfortune in the speakers life causing her to majorly doubt the validity of the cauls fortune. 
2.) "under the waves or spoil on a beach" 
  • The speaker is questioning whether her caul is still used for luck or if it has been washed up on the beach, this links to the process of ageing in which the speaker may be posing the question that if she reaches old age will she also be forgotten about/washed up?
3.) "The past is the future waiting for dreams"
  • Here Duffy is perhaps indicating that the past is only something that people can dream about and this includes her caul, which is without doubt a part of her past and she can no longer access. Dreams also have pleasant connotations highlighting the fact that the past is often reflected on positively, even if the speaker may have experienced negative emotions at the time.
  • The word choice "dreams" also implies the inaccessible nature of the past as dreams are often forgotten about within moments of awakening, this conveys that the speakers fortune with the caul was temporary and now it is almost impossible to re-connect with it. 
  • The theme of time is presented as rapid and fast-moving which emphasises how our future becomes our past within seconds. 
4.) "Spool itself out like a film"
  • Here the film depicted resembles the speakers life, it could refer to an old form of camera film in the sense that the speakers life has been recalled in pivotal moments that "spool" out.
5.) "I came in a cloak of cool luck"
  • The technique of consonance here gives a harmonious tone and sound which could reinforce the positive outlook of life with the fortune of the caul. The consonance also mimics the sound of a whisper which alludes to the fact that the speaker feels as if their luck of having a caul is their secret and they want to preserve it for themselves only.
Themes In Caul
  • Passing Time 
  • Maturity (coming of age)
Links to other poems= 
Pluto= Both speakers reflect on their past with joy so much so they feel lost within that space of time and unable to feel as if they have a purpose in the present day 

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