* Stanza 1-3: The poem begins with a direct address to the speaker's father, establishing a tense and almost hostile tone. The language is stark and vivid, using imagery of confinement and death ("I have never been able to keep it / The way I keep the sea.") This initial section sets the stage for the complex relationship between the speaker and her father.
* Stanza 4-8: Here, the speaker shifts towards a more personal and confessional tone. She starts talking about her own experiences, including her relationship with her husband Ted Hughes, and the feelings of betrayal and abandonment she feels. The imagery becomes more sexually charged, which could be interpreted as a reflection of the speaker's internal struggle with her own sexuality and the power dynamic in her relationships.
* Stanza 9-13: The speaker returns to her father, but this time, the focus is on his perceived power and dominance. The language becomes more confrontational, drawing parallels between her father and the Nazi regime. This shift suggests a growing awareness of the ways in which her father's control over her life has shaped her, even into adulthood.
* Stanza 14-16: The poem concludes with a sense of release and liberation. The speaker finally breaks free from the controlling figure of her father and begins to reclaim her own identity. This shift could be interpreted as a symbol of her overcoming the trauma of her past and embracing her own agency.
While these are some key points where the poem's direction changes, it's important to remember that "Daddy" is a complex and multifaceted work. The poem's shifts in tone, imagery, and theme contribute to its overall power and impact.
It's also important to note that these shifts are not necessarily distinct breaks, but rather continuations of the poem's exploration of the speaker's internal struggles and her complicated relationship with her father. The poem's fluidity and interweaving of themes make it challenging to define a single "shift," and it's ultimately up to the reader to interpret how the different elements of the poem interact with each other.