Valentine Flashcards
1
Q
“Not a red rose or a satin heart.”
A
- Examples of clichéd Valentine’s Day gifts
- Alliteration in ‘red rose’ is scathing, Duffy suggesting alliteration is overused in poems dealing with love
- The title itself, “Valentine”, initially suggests that this poem will deal with the fairly conventional notions of love with its stereotypical connotations of flowers, hearts and romance.
- However, the traditional idea as suggested from the title is subverted from the very beginning.
- The placing of “Not” at the start of the line – and the poem – creates a forceful tone, immediately establishing the speaker’s hostility towards conventional Valentine’s gifts.
- In addition, the line is placed in a stanza on its own which places major emphasis on the idea that this gift (and poem) are rejecting conventional and stereotypical approaches.
2
Q
“I give you an onion”
A
- This bold, emphatic statement is repeated in lines 2 and 13 to place particular emphasis on it.
- Duffy is clearly trying to draw our attention to the unusual choice of Valentine gift and by placing it in short sentence and using repetition later in the poem it is doubly emphasised.
- The bluntness of the sentence also suggests that the speaker in the poem expects disapproval from the recipient of the onion and the idea of having to justify the choice of the onion as a gift and realistic symbol of love carries on throughout the poem.
3
Q
“It is a moon wrapped in brown paper.”
A
- The “brown paper” part of the image has various possible interpretations.
- It refers both to the texture and colour of the outer layer of the onion as well as reminding us that real romantic gifts do not need to be embellished or concealed within expensive wrapping.
- It could also suggest that, like an onion is not particularly attractive to look at, real love should not be based on external appearances.
- In addition, you have to peel back the layers of an onion before you discover the most worthwhile part of it, much like you have to work on a relationship to gradually discover love.
- The allusion to the “moon” does remind us of more traditional notions of romance as moonlight is often used as part of romantic settings in novels and films.
- Therefore, Duffy is trying to connect the onion to a traditional, clichéd symbol of love but describe it in an original and unexpected way.
4
Q
“It promises light”
A
- This image also suggests that this will be an enriching and fulfilling relationship for both parties as light has positive connotations.
- This too conveys the optimism and hopefulness of lovers embarking on a new relationship as light is a traditional symbol of hope.
- The idea of the onion promising light also connects to the idea of having to work hard in a relationship until discovering genuine love.
5
Q
“like the careful undressing of love”
A
- This simile can be interpreted both as a reference to the sexual aspect of their relationship, and also the growth of their emotional bond which the peeling away of clothes and layers of personality may bring.
- In addition, the word “careful” is connected to the need to totally trust a partner before moving onto the sexual phase of the relationship as it adds a new level of complexity in terms of emotions and the potential to be hurt.
- The word “careful” also suggests tenderness, affection, warmth and sensitivity between the lovers as they gradually allow external barriers to come down and expose their true selves to each other.
- Sensual, and intimate in its imagery
6
Q
“It will blind you with tears
like a lover.”
A
- The poet uses the common reaction to peeling an onion – tears – to create a simile comparing this process to a relationship and the effect that a lover might have on you.
- She is suggesting that relationships can cause pain and make you cry, just as getting too close to a chopped up onion can bring tears to your eyes.
- In addition, the idea of love making us “blind” connects to how we often allow our feelings in a romantic relationship to make us disregard the flaws or bad sides of the person we love, which can also lead to pain in the long run.
- Comparison (simile) between the onion and what love can do.
7
Q
“It will make your reflection
a wobbling photo of grief.”
A
- The word “reflection” can be interpreted in different ways.
- Firstly, it suggests that relationships can cause moments of doubt or pain where we look at ourselves in the mirror.
- However, due to the tears that are flowing at these times, we cannot actually see ourselves properly in the mirror.
- This emphasises once more the vulnerability and danger people expose themselves to when they submit wholly and completely to a romantic relationship. The image ultimately reminds us of love’s destructive potential.
- As well as this, “reflection” can also mean looking back and trying to make sense of important memories in our lives.
- This could connect to the way that a relationship can cause us to look back on moments where we have argued and been hurt and doing this also makes us feel regret or pain.
- A “photo” is usually taken to commemorate special moments, often in a relationship, and this connects to how being in love can create memories which lead to us feeling insecure or unstable (reinforced by the word-choice of “wobbling”)
- Finally, the word-choice of “grief” also suggests a sense of loss, connecting to the idea that, at some point, love can die and leave us feeling upset and grieving over what has been lost.
8
Q
“Its fierce kiss will stay on your lips”
A
- The lover is attempting to articulate not only the romantic, positive aspects of love but its more negative, darker associations.
- There is also the continued allusion to the senses through the taste of the onion which, just like some romantic relationships, is strong, unpleasant and difficult to erase if it turns sour.
- In addition, using the word “fierce” to describe the kiss represents the passionate side of love with the idea of the odour lingering on the breath – in “stay on your lips” - connecting to the fact that physical acts that take place during lovemaking can literally leave some unpleasant tastes in the mouth.
- It could also have a positive interpretation suggesting that the senses are stimulated through the passionate sides of the relationship, e.g. kissing).
9
Q
“Its platinum loops shrink to a wedding-ring,
if you like.”
A
- Duffy compares the creamy white rings of the onion to the precious metal platinum loops of a wedding ring which over time will, like the onion rings, shrink in size.
- This is a clever image as it uses the idea of onion rings to connect to the exchange of a ring as a symbol of commitment during a wedding ceremony.
- Notice the word “shrink” is used to describe the “loops” or rings.
- This relates to how the rings get smaller as you cut deeper into the onion.
- However, the word “shrink” also has negative connotations, suggesting something becoming diminished or less impressive, which might indicate that the idea of marriage is not that appealing to the speaker.
- However, the speaker also says “if you like” which is an admission that she would marry the partner and that her feelings are strong enough to go in that direction of making a long-term commitment.
- Therefore, she is, once again, highlighting the positive aspects of love – the strong feelings she has – as well as the reality that a marriage does lead to a loss of freedom, highlighting the negative aspects of relationships again.
10
Q
“Its scent will cling to your fingers,
Cling to your knife.”
A
- The idea of the scent of the onion lingering and remaining is connected to the idea that, even if a relationship ends, elements of the original love and passion will remain.
- The word-choice of “cling” is associated with something that is unwanted and difficult to shake off, perhaps suggesting that even if the relationship does end, the feelings that are connected to it will be difficult to lose and will remain with Duffy for a long time.
- The final image in the poem is negative in the sense that Duffy seems to be suggesting that it is inevitable that her lover will hurt her or betray her (with the knife image connecting to the traditional idea of being stabbed in the back by someone who betrays you).
-The insecurity felt by the speaker is clear – by being in love she has given someone else the power to hurt her by ending the relationship, being unfaithful, criticising her, etc. and this clearly makes the speaker feel nervous. - However, it is also clear that there are genuinely strong feelings on the speaker’s part and this is why the other person has such power over her.
11
Q
Themes
A
Love
changes in love
loss of relationship
unconventional expression of love
12
Q
other poems
A
V + mrs T - Contrast, between nuce topics darker language
V+Mrs Midas - love, loss of relationship, unconventional expression of love
