Carol Ann Duffy - Valentine

Question 1

“Not a red rose or a satin heart”

Answer 1

• The poem starts with the word ‘not’, a negative, which is ironic because from the title we expect it to be a love poem and therefore begin positively
• Straight away the poem challenges cliche ideas of love and valentines, as Duffy asserts that she is not giving her partner a ‘typical’ gift

Question 2

“It promises light”

Answer 2

• Despite an onion being a very unconventional gift for a loved one, this line shows that Duffy wants the recipient to understand that it is given with care
• Shows how an unlikely gift or thing can still be positive and make someone happy - shows optimism for embarking on a new relationship with someone

Question 3

“It will blind you with tears / Like a lover “

Answer 3

• Duffy returns back to using a more sullen tone, reminding her lover that relationships can and will still hurt you
• Simile comparing love and the onion shows that love can sting and make us emotional (onions make people ‘cry’)

Question 4

“I am trying to be truthful”

Answer 4

• Duffy trying to be ‘truthful’ again shows that expressions of love can come in unconventional ways, it can seem blunt or curt
• Love is often something shrouded with expectations and ideals, however this poem exposes the real, sometimes ugly, truth behind real relationships

Question 5

“Its fierce kiss will stay on your lips,
possessive and faithful”

Answer 5

• ‘possessive’ has very negative connotations of control and power, whereas ‘faithful’ has good connotations of loyalty and truth - both of these being used in the same line to describe this relationship shows the conflicting nature of love and how there are always good and bad traits within a partner
• ‘stay on your lips’ shows that love is strong and dominant, and both the good and bad aspects of a relationship will stay with you

Question 6

“Its scent will cling to your fingers,
cling to your knife”

Answer 6

• Duffy mixes harsh, unusual ideas within a poem about valentines, comparing love to the scent of an onion, which is usually seen as a bad, unpleasant thing, however here she is referring to its strength, showing that love is potent and resonates