Stealing – Carol Ann Duffy

Starter
If you had to steal something:
• what would be the most unusual or useless thing you could steal?
•Why would you steal it?
•How would you steal it?
•What would you do with it once you had stolen it?

1
 Stealing – Carol Ann Duffy
Starter
If you had to steal something what would be the most unusual or useless thing you
could steal?
The poem would suggest it is a Snowman. It has no value, is difficult to move and
unless you have a very big freezer to keep it in, it will eventually melt away to
nothing.

So, why steal a

Snowman?
This is the question
The poem tries to
answer.

2
 Stealing – Carol Ann Duffy

Learning Objectives
As we study this poem you will learn:
• The story and hidden meaning of the poem
• About the terms,
Form & Structure, Alliteration, Imagery & Sensory Imagery.
• You will also complete some mini tasks and a quiz on the
poem.

3
 Stealing – Carol Ann Duffy
The most unusual thing I ever stole? A snowman.
Midnight. He looked magnificent; a tall, white mute
beneath the winter moon. I wanted him, a mate
with a mind as cold as the slice of ice
within my own brain. I started with the head.
Better off dead than giving in, not taking
what you want. He weighed a ton; his torso,
frozen stiff, hugged to my chest, a fierce chill
piercing my gut. Part of the thrill was knowing
that children would cry in the morning. Life's tough.
Sometimes I steal things I don't need. I joy-ride cars
to nowhere, break into houses just to have a look.
I'm a mucky ghost, leave a mess, maybe pinch a camera.
I watch my gloved hand twisting the doorknob.
A stranger's bedroom. Mirrors. I sigh like this - Aah.
It took some time. Reassembled in the yard,
he didn't look the same. I took a run
and booted him. Again. Again. My breath ripped out
in rags. It seems daft now. Then I was standing
alone amongst lumps of snow, sick of the world.
Boredom. Mostly I'm so bored I could eat myself.
One time, I stole a guitar and thought I might
learn to play. I nicked a bust of Shakespeare once,
flogged it, but the snowman was the strangest.
You don't understand a word I'm saying, do you?
4
 Stealing – Carol Ann Duffy
The most unusual thing I ever stole? A snowman.
Midnight. He looked magnificent; a tall, white mute
beneath the winter moon. I wanted him, a mate
with a mind as cold as the slice of ice
within my own brain. I started with the head.
Better off dead than giving in, not taking
what you want. He weighed a ton; his torso,
frozen stiff, hugged to my chest, a fierce chill
piercing my gut. Part of the thrill was knowing
that children would cry in the morning. Life's tough.
It took some time. Reassembled in the yard,
he didn't look the same. I took a run
and booted him. Again. Again. My breath ripped out
in rags. It seems daft now. Then I was standing
alone amongst lumps of snow, sick of the world.
Boredom. Mostly I'm so bored I could eat myself.
One time, I stole a guitar and thought I might
learn to play. I nicked a bust of Shakespeare once,
flogged it, but the snowman was the strangest.
You don't understand a word I'm saying, do you?

Sometimes I steal things I don't need. I joy-ride cars

to nowhere, break into houses just to have a look.
I'm a mucky ghost, leave a mess, maybe pinch a camera.
I watch my gloved hand twisting the doorknob.
A stranger's bedroom. Mirrors. I sigh like this - Aah.

Mini Task 1
Write down what you think is the
story of the poem.
5
 op@kingdomschools.edu.sa
Stealing – The Story of the Poem
Mini Task 1
Write down what you think is the
story of the poem.
The speaker of the poem appears to
be talking to someone (a policeman?
a counsellor? a teacher?) about the
various crimes he has committed. As
the speaker talks about the strangest
thing he ever stole - a snowman - we
begin to sense that this is a lonely,
sociopathic person with little
empathy and few morals. We are also
made aware of the fact that the
speaker feels detached from society
and knows that no-body really
understands, not only what s/he says,
but their situation, motives or life.
The most unusual thing I ever stole? A snowman.
Midnight. He looked magnificent; a tall, white mute
beneath the winter moon. I wanted him, a mate
with a mind as cold as the slice of ice
within my own brain. I started with the head.
 
Better off dead than giving in, not taking
what you want. He weighed a ton; his torso,
frozen stiff, hugged to my chest, a fierce chill
piercing my gut. Part of the thrill was knowing
that children would cry in the morning. Life's tough.
Sometimes I steal things I don't need. I joy-ride cars
to nowhere, break into houses just to have a look.
I'm a mucky ghost, leave a mess, maybe pinch a camera.
I watch my gloved hand twisting the doorknob.
A stranger's bedroom. Mirrors. I sigh like this - Aah.
It took some time. Reassembled in the yard,
he didn't look the same. I took a run
and booted him. Again. Again. My breath ripped out
in rags. It seems daft now. Then I was standing
alone amongst lumps of snow, sick of the world.
 
Boredom. Mostly I'm so bored I could eat myself.
One time, I stole a guitar and thought I might
learn to play. I nicked a bust of Shakespeare once,
flogged it, but the snowman was the strangest.
You don't understand a word I'm saying, do you?
6
 Stealing – The Story of the Poem
Mini Task 2
What is unusual about the
character who is telling this story?
The most unusual thing I ever stole? A snowman.
Midnight. He looked magnificent; a tall, white mute
beneath the winter moon. I wanted him, a mate
with a mind as cold as the slice of ice
within my own brain. I started with the head.
 
Better off dead than giving in, not taking
what you want. He weighed a ton; his torso,
frozen stiff, hugged to my chest, a fierce chill
piercing my gut. Part of the thrill was knowing
that children would cry in the morning. Life's tough.
Sometimes I steal things I don't need. I joy-ride cars
to nowhere, break into houses just to have a look.
I'm a mucky ghost, leave a mess, maybe pinch a camera.
I watch my gloved hand twisting the doorknob.
A stranger's bedroom. Mirrors. I sigh like this - Aah.
It took some time. Reassembled in the yard,
he didn't look the same. I took a run
and booted him. Again. Again. My breath ripped out
in rags. It seems daft now. Then I was standing
alone amongst lumps of snow, sick of the world.
Boredom. Mostly I'm so bored I could eat myself.
One time, I stole a guitar and thought I might
learn to play. I nicked a bust of Shakespeare once,
flogged it, but the snowman was the strangest.
7
You don't understand a word I'm saying, do you?
 Stealing – The Story of the Poem
Mini Task 2
What is unusual about the character
who is telling this story?
First I think the character is a boy
aged between 14-18. Girls do not
tend to manifest this sort of
deviant behaviour, at least not on
their own. Even boys driven to
vandalism tend to act in gangs. So
the fact this boy is out and about
vandalizing at midnight in the
middle of winter on his own is
unusual
and quite
disturbing.
The most unusual thing I ever stole? A snowman.
Midnight. He looked magnificent; a tall, white mute
beneath the winter moon. I wanted him, a mate
with a mind as cold as the slice of ice
within my own brain. I started with the head.
 
Better off dead than giving in, not taking
what you want. He weighed a ton; his torso,
frozen stiff, hugged to my chest, a fierce chill
piercing my gut. Part of the thrill was knowing
that children would cry in the morning. Life's tough.
Sometimes I steal things I don't need. I joy-ride cars
to nowhere, break into houses just to have a look.
I'm a mucky ghost, leave a mess, maybe pinch a camera.
I watch my gloved hand twisting the doorknob.
A stranger's bedroom. Mirrors. I sigh like this - Aah.
It took some time. Reassembled in the yard,
he didn't look the same. I took a run
and booted him. Again. Again. My breath ripped out
in rags. It seems daft now. Then I was standing
alone amongst lumps of snow, sick of the world.
Boredom. Mostly I'm so bored I could eat myself.
One time, I stole a guitar and thought I might
learn to play. I nicked a bust of Shakespeare once,
flogged it, but the snowman was the strangest.
8
You don't understand a word I'm saying, do you?
 Stealing – The Story of the Poem
Mini Task 3.
What does the poem tell you about
this boy’s family life and
background?
The most unusual thing I ever stole? A snowman.
Midnight. He looked magnificent; a tall, white mute
beneath the winter moon. I wanted him, a mate
with a mind as cold as the slice of ice
within my own brain. I started with the head.
 
Better off dead than giving in, not taking
what you want. He weighed a ton; his torso,
frozen stiff, hugged to my chest, a fierce chill
piercing my gut. Part of the thrill was knowing
that children would cry in the morning. Life's tough.
Sometimes I steal things I don't need. I joy-ride cars
to nowhere, break into houses just to have a look.
I'm a mucky ghost, leave a mess, maybe pinch a camera.
I watch my gloved hand twisting the doorknob.
A stranger's bedroom. Mirrors. I sigh like this - Aah.
It took some time. Reassembled in the yard,
he didn't look the same. I took a run
and booted him. Again. Again. My breath ripped out
in rags. It seems daft now. Then I was standing
alone amongst lumps of snow, sick of the world.
Boredom. Mostly I'm so bored I could eat myself.
One time, I stole a guitar and thought I might
learn to play. I nicked a bust of Shakespeare once,
flogged it, but the snowman was the strangest.
9
You don't understand a word I'm saying, do you?
 Stealing – The Story of the Poem
Mini Task 3
What does the poem tell you about
this boy’s family life and
background?
His family life must be lonely and
unloved or else why is out so late
on a winters night and able to
spend ‘some time’ re-building
the snowman and then
destroying it without anyone
noticing.
The most unusual thing I ever stole? A snowman.
Midnight. He looked magnificent; a tall, white mute
beneath the winter moon. I wanted him, a mate
with a mind as cold as the slice of ice
within my own brain. I started with the head.
 
Better off dead than giving in, not taking
what you want. He weighed a ton; his torso,
frozen stiff, hugged to my chest, a fierce chill
piercing my gut. Part of the thrill was knowing
that children would cry in the morning. Life's tough.
Sometimes I steal things I don't need. I joy-ride cars
to nowhere, break into houses just to have a look.
I'm a mucky ghost, leave a mess, maybe pinch a camera.
I watch my gloved hand twisting the doorknob.
A stranger's bedroom. Mirrors. I sigh like this - Aah.
It took some time. Reassembled in the yard,
he didn't look the same. I took a run
and booted him. Again. Again. My breath ripped out
in rags. It seems daft now. Then I was standing
alone amongst lumps of snow, sick of the world.
Boredom. Mostly I'm so bored I could eat myself.
One time, I stole a guitar and thought I might
learn to play. I nicked a bust of Shakespeare once,
flogged it, but the snowman was the strangest.
10
You don't understand a word I'm saying, do you?
 Stealing – The Story of the Poem
Mini Task 4
What do most of the objects he
says he has stolen have in common?
The most unusual thing I ever stole? A snowman.
Midnight. He looked magnificent; a tall, white mute
beneath the winter moon. I wanted him, a mate
with a mind as cold as the slice of ice
within my own brain. I started with the head.
 
Better off dead than giving in, not taking
what you want. He weighed a ton; his torso,
frozen stiff, hugged to my chest, a fierce chill
piercing my gut. Part of the thrill was knowing
that children would cry in the morning. Life's tough.
Sometimes I steal things I don't need. I joy-ride cars
to nowhere, break into houses just to have a look.
I'm a mucky ghost, leave a mess, maybe pinch a camera.
I watch my gloved hand twisting the doorknob.
A stranger's bedroom. Mirrors. I sigh like this - Aah.
It took some time. Reassembled in the yard,
he didn't look the same. I took a run
and booted him. Again. Again. My breath ripped out
in rags. It seems daft now. Then I was standing
alone amongst lumps of snow, sick of the world.
Boredom. Mostly I'm so bored I could eat myself.
One time, I stole a guitar and thought I might
learn to play. I nicked a bust of Shakespeare once,
flogged it, but the snowman was the strangest.
11
You don't understand a word I'm saying, do you?
 Stealing – The Story of the Poem
Mini Task 4
What do most of the objects he
says he has stolen have in common?
Like the snowman they are all
pretty useless and only the Bust
of Shakespeare seems to have
brought him some financial
reward. Even the cars he steals
take him nowhere and bring him
no ‘joy’.
The most unusual thing I ever stole? A snowman.
Midnight. He looked magnificent; a tall, white mute
beneath the winter moon. I wanted him, a mate
with a mind as cold as the slice of ice
within my own brain. I started with the head.
 
Better off dead than giving in, not taking
what you want. He weighed a ton; his torso,
frozen stiff, hugged to my chest, a fierce chill
piercing my gut. Part of the thrill was knowing
that children would cry in the morning. Life's tough.
Sometimes I steal things I don't need. I joy-ride cars
to nowhere, break into houses just to have a look.
I'm a mucky ghost, leave a mess, maybe pinch a camera.
I watch my gloved hand twisting the doorknob.
A stranger's bedroom. Mirrors. I sigh like this - Aah.
It took some time. Reassembled in the yard,
he didn't look the same. I took a run
and booted him. Again. Again. My breath ripped out
in rags. It seems daft now. Then I was standing
alone amongst lumps of snow, sick of the world.
Boredom. Mostly I'm so bored I could eat myself.
One time, I stole a guitar and thought I might
learn to play. I nicked a bust of Shakespeare once,
flogged it, but the snowman was the strangest.
12
You don't understand a word I'm saying, do you?
 Stealing – The Story of the Poem
The most unusual thing I ever stole? A snowman.
Midnight. He looked magnificent; a tall, white mute
Mini Task 5 beneath the winter moon. I wanted him, a mate
So if not for money, why does he with a mind as cold as the slice of ice
within my own brain. I started with the head.
steal things?  
Better off dead than giving in, not taking
what you want. He weighed a ton; his torso,
frozen stiff, hugged to my chest, a fierce chill
piercing my gut. Part of the thrill was knowing
that children would cry in the morning. Life's tough.

Sometimes I steal things I don't need. I joy-ride cars

to nowhere, break into houses just to have a look.
I'm a mucky ghost, leave a mess, maybe pinch a camera.
I watch my gloved hand twisting the doorknob.
A stranger's bedroom. Mirrors. I sigh like this - Aah.

It took some time. Reassembled in the yard,

he didn't look the same. I took a run
and booted him. Again. Again. My breath ripped out
in rags. It seems daft now. Then I was standing
alone amongst lumps of snow, sick of the world.
 
Boredom. Mostly I'm so bored I could eat myself.
One time, I stole a guitar and thought I might
learn to play. I nicked a bust of Shakespeare once,
flogged it, but the snowman was the strangest.
13
You don't understand a word I'm saying, do you?
 Stealing – The Story of the Poem
Mini Task 5
So if not for money, why does he steal
things?
To relieve his boredom and he would
also seem to steal things to get a
perverse sort of ‘thrill’ out of the pain,
suffering and upset he causes his
victims. The thought that the children
who built the snowman would be
upset when they see it is gone in the
morning, seems to give him pleasure.
Likewise he’s a ‘mucky ghost’ so he
will wreck a home he has broken into
without stealing anything.
The most unusual thing I ever stole? A snowman.
Midnight. He looked magnificent; a tall, white mute
beneath the winter moon. I wanted him, a mate
with a mind as cold as the slice of ice
within my own brain. I started with the head.
 
Better off dead than giving in, not taking
what you want. He weighed a ton; his torso,
frozen stiff, hugged to my chest, a fierce chill
piercing my gut. Part of the thrill was knowing
that children would cry in the morning. Life's tough.
Sometimes I steal things I don't need. I joy-ride cars
to nowhere, break into houses just to have a look.
I'm a mucky ghost, leave a mess, maybe pinch a camera.
I watch my gloved hand twisting the doorknob.
A stranger's bedroom. Mirrors. I sigh like this - Aah.
It took some time. Reassembled in the yard,
he didn't look the same. I took a run
and booted him. Again. Again. My breath ripped out
in rags. It seems daft now. Then I was standing
alone amongst lumps of snow, sick of the world.
Boredom. Mostly I'm so bored I could eat myself.
One time, I stole a guitar and thought I might
learn to play. I nicked a bust of Shakespeare once,
flogged it, but the snowman was the strangest.
14
You don't understand a word I'm saying, do you?
 Stealing – The Story of the Poem
Mini Task 6
What motivates him then?
The most unusual thing I ever stole? A snowman.
Midnight. He looked magnificent; a tall, white mute
beneath the winter moon. I wanted him, a mate
with a mind as cold as the slice of ice
within my own brain. I started with the head.
Better off dead than giving in, not taking
what you want. He weighed a ton; his torso,
frozen stiff, hugged to my chest, a fierce chill
piercing my gut. Part of the thrill was knowing
that children would cry in the morning. Life's tough.
Sometimes I steal things I don't need. I joy-ride cars
to nowhere, break into houses just to have a look.
I'm a mucky ghost, leave a mess, maybe pinch a camera.
I watch my gloved hand twisting the doorknob.
A stranger's bedroom. Mirrors. I sigh like this - Aah.
It took some time. Reassembled in the yard,
he didn't look the same. I took a run
and booted him. Again. Again. My breath ripped out
in rags. It seems daft now. Then I was standing
alone amongst lumps of snow, sick of the world.
Boredom. Mostly I'm so bored I could eat myself.
One time, I stole a guitar and thought I might
learn to play. I nicked a bust of Shakespeare once,
flogged it, but the snowman was the strangest.
15
You don't understand a word I'm saying, do you?
 Stealing – The Story of the Poem
Mini Task 6
What motivates him then?
Revenge or punishment on those
who have things, especially a happy
family life that he does not have. He
is suffering so everyone else has to
as well!.
The most unusual thing I ever stole? A snowman.
Midnight. He looked magnificent; a tall, white mute
beneath the winter moon. I wanted him, a mate
with a mind as cold as the slice of ice
within my own brain. I started with the head.
 
Better off dead than giving in, not taking
what you want. He weighed a ton; his torso,
frozen stiff, hugged to my chest, a fierce chill
piercing my gut. Part of the thrill was knowing
that children would cry in the morning. Life's tough.
Sometimes I steal things I don't need. I joy-ride cars
to nowhere, break into houses just to have a look.
I'm a mucky ghost, leave a mess, maybe pinch a camera.
I watch my gloved hand twisting the doorknob.
A stranger's bedroom. Mirrors. I sigh like this - Aah.
It took some time. Reassembled in the yard,
he didn't look the same. I took a run
and booted him. Again. Again. My breath ripped out
in rags. It seems daft now. Then I was standing
alone amongst lumps of snow, sick of the world.
Boredom. Mostly I'm so bored I could eat myself.
One time, I stole a guitar and thought I might
learn to play. I nicked a bust of Shakespeare once,
flogged it, but the snowman was the strangest.
16
You don't understand a word I'm saying, do you?
 Stealing – Form & Structure
The most unusual thing I ever stole? A snowman.
Midnight. He looked magnificent; a tall, white mute
beneath the winter moon. I wanted him, a mate
Mini Task 7 with a mind as cold as the slice of ice
within my own brain. I started with the head.
How is the poem structured?  
Better off dead than giving in, not taking
a) Stanzas what you want. He weighed a ton; his torso,
b) Line length frozen stiff, hugged to my chest, a fierce chill
piercing my gut. Part of the thrill was knowing
c) Rhyme that children would cry in the morning. Life's tough.
d) Alliteration
Sometimes I steal things I don't need. I joy-ride cars
e) Rhythm to nowhere, break into houses just to have a look.
I'm a mucky ghost, leave a mess, maybe pinch a camera.
I watch my gloved hand twisting the doorknob.
A stranger's bedroom. Mirrors. I sigh like this - Aah.

It took some time. Reassembled in the yard,

he didn't look the same. I took a run
and booted him. Again. Again. My breath ripped out
in rags. It seems daft now. Then I was standing
alone amongst lumps of snow, sick of the world.
 
Boredom. Mostly I'm so bored I could eat myself.
One time, I stole a guitar and thought I might
learn to play. I nicked a bust of Shakespeare once,
flogged it, but the snowman was the strangest.
17
You don't understand a word I'm saying, do you?
 Stealing – Form & Structure
Mini Task 7
How is the poem structured?
a) Stanzas 5 stanzas of 5 lines
b) Line length 10-14 syllables. Most
lines have 12 syllables
c) Rhyme None, but there are some
chimes and internal rhymes
d) Alliteration Lots, so many it is
a Key Feature
e) Rhythm Because of the even
line length and alliteration
the poem has a strong
rhythm.
The most unusual thing I ever stole? A snowman.
Midnight. He looked magnificent; a tall, white mute
beneath the winter moon. I wanted him, a mate
with a mind as cold as the slice of ice
within my own brain. I started with the head.
 
Better off dead than giving in, not taking
what you want. He weighed a ton; his torso,
frozen stiff, hugged to my chest, a fierce chill
piercing my gut. Part of the thrill was knowing
that children would cry in the morning. Life's tough.
Sometimes I steal things I don't need. I joy-ride cars
to nowhere, break into houses just to have a look.
I'm a mucky ghost, leave a mess, maybe pinch a camera.
I watch my gloved hand twisting the doorknob.
A stranger's bedroom. Mirrors. I sigh like this - Aah.
It took some time. Reassembled in the yard,
he didn't look the same. I took a run
and booted him. Again. Again. My breath ripped out
in rags. It seems daft now. Then I was standing
alone amongst lumps of snow, sick of the world.
Boredom. Mostly I'm so bored I could eat myself.
One time, I stole a guitar and thought I might
learn to play. I nicked a bust of Shakespeare once,
flogged it, but the snowman was the strangest.
18
You don't understand a word I'm saying, do you?
 Stealing – Form & Structure
Mini Task 8
Form means the type of poem you
are reading, so what type of poem is
Stealing?
The most unusual thing I ever stole? A snowman.
Midnight. He looked magnificent; a tall, white mute
beneath the winter moon. I wanted him, a mate
with a mind as cold as the slice of ice
within my own brain. I started with the head.
 
Better off dead than giving in, not taking
what you want. He weighed a ton; his torso,
frozen stiff, hugged to my chest, a fierce chill
piercing my gut. Part of the thrill was knowing
that children would cry in the morning. Life's tough.
Sometimes I steal things I don't need. I joy-ride cars
to nowhere, break into houses just to have a look.
I'm a mucky ghost, leave a mess, maybe pinch a camera.
I watch my gloved hand twisting the doorknob.
A stranger's bedroom. Mirrors. I sigh like this - Aah.
It took some time. Reassembled in the yard,
he didn't look the same. I took a run
and booted him. Again. Again. My breath ripped out
in rags. It seems daft now. Then I was standing
alone amongst lumps of snow, sick of the world.
Boredom. Mostly I'm so bored I could eat myself.
One time, I stole a guitar and thought I might
learn to play. I nicked a bust of Shakespeare once,
flogged it, but the snowman was the strangest.
19
You don't understand a word I'm saying, do you?
 Stealing – Form & Structure
Mini Task 8
What sort of poem is it?
It is a single person talking so the
form of the poem is a monologue.
The most unusual thing I ever stole? A snowman.
Midnight. He looked magnificent; a tall, white mute
beneath the winter moon. I wanted him, a mate
with a mind as cold as the slice of ice
within my own brain. I started with the head.
Better off dead than giving in, not taking
what you want. He weighed a ton; his torso,
frozen stiff, hugged to my chest, a fierce chill
piercing my gut. Part of the thrill was knowing
that children would cry in the morning. Life's tough.
Sometimes I steal things I don't need. I joy-ride cars
to nowhere, break into houses just to have a look.
I'm a mucky ghost, leave a mess, maybe pinch a camera.
I watch my gloved hand twisting the doorknob.
A stranger's bedroom. Mirrors. I sigh like this - Aah.
It took some time. Reassembled in the yard,
he didn't look the same. I took a run
and booted him. Again. Again. My breath ripped out
in rags. It seems daft now. Then I was standing
alone amongst lumps of snow, sick of the world.
Boredom. Mostly I'm so bored I could eat myself.
One time, I stole a guitar and thought I might
learn to play. I nicked a bust of Shakespeare once,
flogged it, but the snowman was the strangest.
20
You don't understand a word I'm saying, do you?
 Stealing - The poem in Detail Stanza 1

Mini Task 9
On your copy of the poem underline/highlight the Alliteration/Assonance in
Stanza 1.
The most unusual thing I ever stole? A snowman.
Midnight. He looked magnificent; a tall, white mute
beneath the winter moon. I wanted him, a mate
with a mind as cold as the slice of ice
within my own brain. I started with the head.
 

21
 Stealing - The poem in Detail Stanza 1

Mini Task 9
On your copy of the poem underline/highlight the Alliteration/Assonance in
Stanza 1.
The most unusual thing I ever stole? A snowman.
Midnight. He looked magnificent; a tall, white mute
beneath the winter moon. I wanted him, a mate
with a mind as cold as the slice of ice
within my own brain. I started with the head.
 

22
 Stealing - The poem in Detail Stanza 1

Mini Task 9
On your copy of the poem underline/highlight the Alliteration in Stanza 1.
The most unusual thing I ever stole? A snowman.
Midnight. He looked magnificent; a tall, white mute
beneath the winter moon. I wanted him, a mate
with a mind as cold as the slice of ice
within my own brain. I started with the head.
 

23
 Stealing - The poem in Detail Stanza 1

Mini Task 10
What three other poetic devices are used in Stanza 1?

The most unusual thing I ever stole? A snowman.

Midnight. He looked magnificent; a tall, white mute
beneath the winter moon. I wanted him, a mate
with a mind as cold as the slice of ice
within my own brain. I started with the head.
 

24
 Stealing - The poem in Detail Stanza 1

Mini Task 10
What three other poetic devices are used in Stanza 1?
Imagery, Internal Rhyme & Enjambment.
The most unusual thing I ever stole? A snowman.
Midnight. He looked magnificent; a tall, white mute
beneath the winter moon. I wanted him, a mate
with a mind as cold as the slice of ice
within my own brain. I started with the head.
 

25
 Stealing - The poem in Detail Stanza 1

Mini Task 11
List 3 images created in Stanza 1
The most unusual thing I ever stole? A snowman.
Midnight. He looked magnificent; a tall, white mute
beneath the winter moon. I wanted him, a mate
with a mind as cold as the slice of ice
within my own brain. I started with the head.
 

26
 Stealing – In Detail – Stanza 1

Mini Task 11
List 3 images created in Stanza 1
The most unusual thing I ever stole? A snowman.
Midnight. He looked magnificent; a tall, white mute
beneath the winter moon. I wanted him, a mate
with a mind as cold as the slice of ice
within my own brain. I started with the head.
 

1. The tall, white, magnificent snowman.

2. Midnight
3. Winter Moon
4. Slice of ice
5. Brain
6. The snowman’s head
27
 Stealing - The poem in Detail Stanza 1

Mini Task 12
What are the internal rhymes in Stanza 1/2?
The most unusual thing I ever stole? A snowman.
Midnight. He looked magnificent; a tall, white mute
beneath the winter moon. I wanted him, a mate
with a mind as cold as the slice of ice
within my own brain. I started with the head.

Better off dead than giving in, not taking

28
 Stealing - The poem in Detail Stanza 1

Mini Task 12
What are the internal rhymes in Stanza 1/2?
The most unusual thing I ever stole? A snowman.
Midnight. He looked magnificent; a tall, white mute
beneath the winter moon. I wanted him, a mate
with a mind as cold as the slice of ice
within my own brain. I started with the head.

Better off dead than giving in, not taking

29
 Stealing - The poem in Detail Stanza 1

Mini Task 13
Where are the enjambments in Stanza 1 and what is their effect on the
poem?

The most unusual thing I ever stole? A snowman.

Midnight. He looked magnificent; a tall, white mute
beneath the winter moon. I wanted him, a mate
with a mind as cold as the slice of ice
within my own brain. I started with the head.

30
 Stealing - The poem in Detail Stanza 1

Mini Task 13
Where are the enjambments in Stanza 1 and what is their effect on the
poem? They help add ‘pace’ to the middle of the stanza and enhance
the ‘prose-like’ feel of the poem.
The most unusual thing I ever stole? A snowman.
Midnight. He looked magnificent; a tall, white mute 
beneath the winter moon. I wanted him, a mate 
with a mind as cold as the slice of ice 
within my own brain. I started with the head.

31
 Stealing – In Detail – Stanza 2

Mini Task 14
On your copy of the poem underline/highlight the Alliteration in Stanza 2.
Better off dead than giving in, not taking
what you want. He weighed a ton; his torso,
frozen stiff, hugged to my chest, a fierce chill
piercing my gut. Part of the thrill was knowing
that children would cry in the morning. Life's tough.

32
 Stealing – In Detail – Stanza 2

Mini Task 14
On your copy of the poem underline/highlight the Alliteration in Stanza 2.
Better off dead than giving in, not taking
what you want. He weighed a ton; his torso,
frozen stiff, hugged to my chest, a fierce chill
piercing my gut. Part of the thrill was knowing
that children would cry in the morning. Life's tough.

33
 Stealing – In Detail – Stanza 2

Mini Task 15
What is the internal rhyme in Stanza 2?
Better off dead than giving in, not taking
what you want. He weighed a ton; his torso,
frozen stiff, hugged to my chest, a fierce chill
piercing my gut. Part of the thrill was knowing
that children would cry in the morning. Life's tough.

34
 Stealing – In Detail – Stanza 2

Mini Task 15
What is the internal rhyme in Stanza 2?
.
Better off dead than giving in, not taking
what you want. He weighed a ton; his torso,
frozen stiff, hugged to my chest, a fierce chill
piercing my gut. Part of the thrill was knowing
that children would cry in the morning. Life's tough.

35
 Stealing – In Detail – Stanza 2

Mini Task 16
What are the key lines in Stanza 2 and what do they tell us about the thief?
Better off dead than giving in, not taking
what you want. He weighed a ton; his torso,
frozen stiff, hugged to my chest, a fierce chill
piercing my gut. Part of the thrill was knowing
that children would cry in the morning. Life's tough.

36
 Stealing – In Detail – Stanza 2

Mini Task 16
What are the key lines in Stanza 2 and what do they tell us about the thief?
Better off dead than giving in, not taking
what you want. He weighed a ton; his torso,
frozen stiff, hugged to my chest, a fierce chill
piercing my gut. Part of the thrill was knowing
that children would cry in the morning. Life's tough.
Building a snowman is a family
activity. They are built with love and
joy, emotions that would seem to be
lacking from this boy’s life. He
therefore gets a perverse pleasure
from the thought of the upset he will
cause the children who built the
snowman when they see the
37
snowman gone in the morning.
 Stealing – In Detail – Stanza 2

Mini Task 17
What does the start of Stanza 2 tell us about the thief?
Better off dead than giving in, not taking
what you want. He weighed a ton; his torso,
frozen stiff, hugged to my chest, a fierce chill
piercing my gut. Part of the thrill was knowing
that children would cry in the morning. Life's tough.

38
 Stealing – In Detail – Stanza 2

Mini Task 17
What does the start and end of Stanza 2 tell us about the thief?
Better off dead than giving in, not taking
what you want. He weighed a ton; his torso,
frozen stiff, hugged to my chest, a fierce chill
piercing my gut. Part of the thrill was knowing
that children would cry in the morning. Life's tough.
This line helps to convey the idea
that the thief is a person with no
feelings and no conscience. He is
detached from society and the rules
that govern it, refusing to give in to
rules and so he only thinks about
himself and what he wants or needs.
39
 Stealing – In Detail – Stanza 2

Mini Task 18
What does the end of Stanza 2 tell us about the thief?

Better off dead than giving in, not taking

what you want. He weighed a ton; his torso,
frozen stiff, hugged to my chest, a fierce chill
piercing my gut. Part of the thrill was knowing
that children would cry in the morning. Life's tough.

40
 Stealing – In Detail – Stanza 2

Mini Task 18
What does the end of Stanza 2 tell us about the thief?
Better off dead than giving in, not taking
what you want. He weighed a ton; his torso,
frozen stiff, hugged to my chest, a fierce chill
piercing my gut. Part of the thrill was knowing
that children would cry in the morning. Life's tough.
Life is tough for him so it ought to be
tough for everyone.

41
 Stealing – In Detail – Stanza 3

Mini Task 19
On your copy of the poem underline/highlight the Alliteration in Stanza 3.
Sometimes I steal things I don't need. I joy-ride cars
to nowhere, break into houses just to have a look.
I'm a mucky ghost, leave a mess, maybe pinch a camera.
I watch my gloved hand twisting the doorknob.
A stranger's bedroom. Mirrors. I sigh like this - Aah.

42
Stealing – In Detail – Stanza 3

Mini Task 19
On your copy of the poem underline/highlight the Alliteration in Stanza 3.
Sometimes I steal things I don't need. I joy-ride cars
to nowhere, break into houses just to have a look.
I'm a mucky ghost, leave a mess, maybe pinch a camera.
I watch my gloved hand twisting the doorknob.
A stranger's bedroom. Mirrors. I sigh like this - Aah.

43
Stealing – In Detail – Stanza 3

Mini Task 20
List 5 examples of visual imagery and the one example of sensory imagery in
Stanza 3.
Sometimes I steal things I don't need. I joy-ride cars
to nowhere, break into houses just to have a look.
I'm a mucky ghost, leave a mess, maybe pinch a camera.
I watch my gloved hand twisting the doorknob.
A stranger's bedroom. Mirrors. I sigh like this - Aah.

44
Stealing – In Detail – Stanza 3

Mini Task 20
List 5 examples of visual imagery and the one example of sensory imagery in
Stanza 3.
Sometimes I steal things I don't need. I joy-ride cars
to nowhere, break into houses just to have a look.
I'm a mucky ghost, leave a mess, maybe pinch a camera.
I watch my gloved hand twisting the doorknob.
• Stolen cars A stranger's bedroom. Mirrors. I sigh like this - Aah.
• Burgled houses
• The mess after a break-in
• A camera
• The gloved hand
• Doorknob
• Bedroom
• Mirrors
• The sigh – which is sound or
45
sensory imagery
Stealing – In Detail – Stanza 3

Mini Task 21
What does ‘I watch my gloved hand twisting the doorknob’ tell us about this
character?
Sometimes I steal things I don't need. I joy-ride cars
to nowhere, break into houses just to have a look.
I'm a mucky ghost, leave a mess, maybe pinch a camera.
I watch my gloved hand twisting the doorknob.
A stranger's bedroom. Mirrors. I sigh like this - Aah.

46
Stealing – In Detail – Stanza 3

Mini Task 21
What does ‘I watch my gloved hand twisting the doorknob’ tell us about this
character?
Sometimes I steal things I don't need. I joy-ride cars
to nowhere, break into houses just to have a look.
I'm a mucky ghost, leave a mess, maybe pinch a camera.
I watch my gloved hand twisting the doorknob.
A stranger's bedroom. Mirrors. I sigh like this - Aah.
It is another example of his
detachment. He seems to stand
outside himself observing what he is
doing almost as if it is another
person committing the crime.

47
 Stealing – In Detail – Stanza 4

Mini Task 22
On your copy of the poem underline/highlight the Alliteration in Stanza 4
It took some time. Reassembled in the yard,
he didn't look the same. I took a run
and booted him. Again. Again. My breath ripped out
in rags. It seems daft now. Then I was standing
alone amongst lumps of snow, sick of the world.

48
 Stealing – In Detail – Stanza 4

Mini Task 22
On your copy of the poem underline/highlight the Alliteration in Stanza 4
It took some time. Reassembled in the yard,
he didn't look the same. I took a run
and booted him. Again. Again. My breath ripped out
in rags. It seems daft now. Then I was standing
alone amongst lumps of snow, sick of the world.

49
 Stealing – In Detail – Stanza 4

Mini Task 23
What are the 3 key images in Stanza 4 ?
It took some time. Reassembled in the yard,
he didn't look the same. I took a run
and booted him. Again. Again. My breath ripped out
in rags. It seems daft now. Then I was standing
alone amongst lumps of snow, sick of the world.

50
 Stealing – In Detail – Stanza 4

Mini Task 23
What are the 3 key images in Stanza 4 ?
It took some time. Reassembled in the yard,
he didn't look the same. I took a run
and booted him. Again. Again. My breath ripped out
in rags. It seems daft now. Then I was standing
alone amongst lumps of snow, sick of the world.
1. The reassembled snowman
2. Kicking the snowman
3. Standing alone (with a destroyed
snowman!)

51
 Stealing – In Detail – Stanza 4

Mini Task 24
What is the message or meaning of Stanza 4 ?
It took some time. Reassembled in the yard,
he didn't look the same. I took a run
and booted him. Again. Again. My breath ripped out
in rags. It seems daft now. Then I was standing
alone amongst lumps of snow, sick of the world.

52
 Stealing – In Detail – Stanza 4

Mini Task 24
What is the message or meaning of Stanza 4 ?
It took some time. Reassembled in the yard,
he didn't look the same. I took a run
and booted him. Again. Again. My breath ripped out
in rags. It seems daft now. Then I was standing
alone amongst lumps of snow, sick of the world.
It symbolizes the total pointlessness of his
existence. He robs the snowman, which is
in itself a pointless act as all they ever do is
melt, spends hours carrying it home and re-
building it in the middle of a winter’s night,
only to kick it to pieces when he has put it
back together.
53
 Stealing – In Detail – Stanza 4

Mini Task 25
So why does he destroy the snowman?

It took some time. Reassembled in the yard,

he didn't look the same. I took a run
and booted him. Again. Again. My breath ripped out
in rags. It seems daft now. Then I was standing
alone amongst lumps of snow, sick of the world.

54
 Stealing – In Detail – Stanza 4

Mini Task 25
So why does he destroy the snowman?
It took some time. Reassembled in the yard,
he didn't look the same. I took a run
and booted him. Again. Again. My breath ripped out
in rags. It seems daft now. Then I was standing
alone amongst lumps of snow, sick of the world.
It doesn't look the same but more
importantly it has not built the same,
with love and joy. The re-built
snowman has been constructed out
of envy and hatred, so of course he
won’t look the same.

55
 Stealing – In Detail – Stanza 5

Mini Task 26
On your copy of the poem underline/highlight the Alliteration in Stanza 5.
Boredom. Mostly I'm so bored I could eat myself.
One time, I stole a guitar and thought I might
learn to play. I nicked a bust of Shakespeare once,
flogged it, but the snowman was the strangest.
You don't understand a word I'm saying, do you?

56
 Stealing – In Detail – Stanza 5

Mini Task 26
On your copy of the poem underline/highlight the Alliteration in Stanza 5.
Boredom. Mostly I'm so bored I could eat myself.
One time, I stole a guitar and thought I might
learn to play. I nicked a bust of Shakespeare once,
flogged it, but the snowman was the strangest.
You don't understand a word I'm saying, do you?

57
 Stealing – In Detail – Stanza 5

Mini Task 27
What does the opening line of this stanza tell you?
Boredom. Mostly I'm so bored I could eat myself.
One time, I stole a guitar and thought I might
learn to play. I nicked a bust of Shakespeare once,
flogged it, but the snowman was the strangest.
You don't understand a word I'm saying, do you?

58
 Stealing – In Detail – Stanza 5

Mini Task 27
What does the opening lineof this stanza tell you?
Boredom. Mostly I'm so bored I could eat myself.
One time, I stole a guitar and thought I might
learn to play. I nicked a bust of Shakespeare once,
flogged it, but the snowman was the strangest.
You don't understand a word I'm saying, do you?
That he is not stupid. Stupid people tend not to get
bored easily. Unfortunately this character finds deviant
outlets to relieve his boredom. He says he wanted to
learn to play a guitar, (but I bet he didn’t bother) and
he recognizes a statue of Shakespeare when he sees
one. So not stupid, just trapped in a meaningless and
pointless existence.
59
 Stealing – In Detail – Stanza 5

Mini Task 28
What is important about the final line of this stanza ?
Boredom. Mostly I'm so bored I could eat myself.
One time, I stole a guitar and thought I might
learn to play. I nicked a bust of Shakespeare once,
flogged it, but the snowman was the strangest.
You don't understand a word I'm saying, do you?

60
 Stealing – In Detail – Stanza 5

Mini Task 28
What is important about the final line of this stanza ?
Boredom. Mostly I'm so bored I could eat myself.
One time, I stole a guitar and thought I might
learn to play. I nicked a bust of Shakespeare once,
flogged it, but the snowman was the strangest.
You don't understand a word I'm saying, do you?
It echoes the question at the beginning of
the poem and it is a challenge to you to
try to get you to understand him.

61
 Stealing – Tone
Mini Task 29
What is the Tone of the poem ?
Sad/lonely, violent & destructive.
The most unusual thing I ever stole? A snowman.
Midnight. He looked magnificent; a tall, white mute
beneath the winter moon. I wanted him, a mate
with a mind as cold as the slice of ice
within my own brain. I started with the head.
 
Better off dead than giving in, not taking
what you want. He weighed a ton; his torso,
frozen stiff, hugged to my chest, a fierce chill
piercing my gut. Part of the thrill was knowing
that children would cry in the morning. Life's tough.
Sometimes I steal things I don't need. I joy-ride cars
to nowhere, break into houses just to have a look.
I'm a mucky ghost, leave a mess, maybe pinch a camera.
I watch my gloved hand twisting the doorknob.
A stranger's bedroom. Mirrors. I sigh like this - Aah.
It took some time. Reassembled in the yard,
he didn't look the same. I took a run
and booted him. Again. Again. My breath ripped out
in rags. It seems daft now. Then I was standing
alone amongst lumps of snow, sick of the world.
Boredom. Mostly I'm so bored I could eat myself.
One time, I stole a guitar and thought I might
learn to play. I nicked a bust of Shakespeare once,
flogged it, but the snowman was the strangest.
62
You don't understand a word I'm saying, do you?
 Stealing – What the poet says
Read what the poet says about the
poem here:
http://www.sheerpoetry.co.uk/gcse/
carol-ann-duffy/gcse-anthology-
poems/stealing
The most unusual thing I ever stole? A snowman.
Midnight. He looked magnificent; a tall, white mute
beneath the winter moon. I wanted him, a mate
with a mind as cold as the slice of ice
within my own brain. I started with the head.
Better off dead than giving in, not taking
what you want. He weighed a ton; his torso,
frozen stiff, hugged to my chest, a fierce chill
piercing my gut. Part of the thrill was knowing
that children would cry in the morning. Life's tough.
Sometimes I steal things I don't need. I joy-ride cars
to nowhere, break into houses just to have a look.
I'm a mucky ghost, leave a mess, maybe pinch a camera.
I watch my gloved hand twisting the doorknob.
A stranger's bedroom. Mirrors. I sigh like this - Aah.
It took some time. Reassembled in the yard,
he didn't look the same. I took a run
and booted him. Again. Again. My breath ripped out
in rags. It seems daft now. Then I was standing
alone amongst lumps of snow, sick of the world.
Boredom. Mostly I'm so bored I could eat myself.
One time, I stole a guitar and thought I might
learn to play. I nicked a bust of Shakespeare once,
flogged it, but the snowman was the strangest.
63
You don't understand a word I'm saying, do you?
64