valentine Flashcards
who is this poem written by?
Carol Ann Duffy
why did Duffy write this poem?
in response to a challenge from a radio presenter who asked her to write an original poem for Valentine’s day
what person is the poem written in?
1st person
what type of poem is it?
a dramatic monologue
is there a rhyming pattern?
no- it is free verse
is there any repetition?
a few words- e.g. “not a” and “I give you an onion” “cling”
what are the stanza length likes?
short stanzas followed by longer stanzas and the mix of sentence lengths gives the poem a stuttering feel- adds to the unease
acts as a mirror for the ups and downs of a relationship
what themes are explored in the poem?
love
convention
individualism
vanity/ materialism
the lack of rhythm and rhyme gives what kind of feel to the poem?
a disjointed feel
what are the single word lines like?
forceful and aggressive in tone
what is the poem a list for?
a list of the ways that the onion represents love
what technique does the onion showcase?
an extended metaphor- gradually reveals the deteriorations of love over time
what is the poem about?
represents the negatives as well as the positive effects of a deep and loving relationship
what is the final line of the poem?
“cling to your knife”- the negatives of love
what does the forceful presentation of the gift perhaps symbolise about their love?
suggests their relationship is cruel, domineering and menacing
what does the direct address in the poem do?
gives an honest and personal tone
what do the imperative verbs convey?
they are very commanding and forceful
what does the negative/ threatening language create in the poem?
gives the idea that it is unusual for a love poem- creates a dark undertone- hinting at the potential dangerous side to love
what are some examples of the imperative verbs in the poem?
“give” “here” “will” “give” “take”
what are some examples of the threatening words in the poem?
“cling” “blind” “fierce” “possessive” “lethal”
what does the poem challenge?
the stereotypical view of a valentine’s gift- an example of conceit
has Duffy ever had any relationships?
at a young age she embarked on a torrid love affair with the poet Adrian Henri- her poem captures the deterioration of love over time and the challenges, complexities and disappointments lovers can feel
what is the first line of the poem?
“not a red rose or a satin heart”
what is the onion throughout the poem?
an extended metaphor for love
what does the “red rose” symbolise?
the “cuteness” associated with these items- traditionally uses as valentines gifts
what type of imagery is the “red rose”?
visual and olfactory imagery
what does the title symbolise?
its a pure love poem- unique to the poet
what does the rejection of the “red rose” and “satin heart” represent?
true love and their own form of love is more than cliche gifts
her rejection of traditional gifts symbolises what?
her love is not traditional- a traditional gift will not do to represent her love
what is the second stanza?
“I give you an onion.
It is a moon wrapped in brown paper.
It promises light
like the careful undressing of love”
what does the second stanza symbolise love as?
symbolises love in a more realistic way than roses/ heart-shaped candies
what does the onion represent due to it being an everyday ordinary object?
it represents her deepest feelings and most abstract thoughts
“it is a moon…
wrapped in brown paper”
what is the symbolism of the “moon”?
a traditional phrase of lovers is to give someone the moon- shows your love for them
“like the careful…
undressing of love”
what does “the careful undressing of love” show?
one has to carefully peel the skin from an onion to avoid tears
what is the 3rd stanza?
“Here.
It will blind you with tears
like a lover.
It will make your reflection
a wobbling photo of grief”
what does the line “it will blind you with tears” show?
it highlights the extreme fine line between the love or the onion
what does the line “it will blind you with tears” also show?
the downs of love- can make you cry and upset
what does the ordinary objects in the poem show?
the juxtaposition of ordinary objects with her intense feelings create the mood and tone of the poem
what is the 4th stanza?
“I am trying to be truthful.”
what does her trying to be “truthful” show?
it shows her genuine feelings not her trying to be facetious
what line comes after “I am trying to be truthful”?
“not a cute card or a kissogram”
what is the symbolism of the line “not a cute card or a kissogram” standing in isolation?
the line stands in isolation to highlight the importance of dismissing the materialistic things- comparison of onion as a metaphor for love becomes more ambiguous as the poem unfolds- readers become unsure what is being talked upon- love or the onion
what imagery is shown by “not a cute card or a kissogram”?
visual and tactile imagery
what is Duffy trying to say about meaningless gifts?
sentiment and hard work trumps love based on meaningless gifts- also criticises the conventions associated with valentines
what is the 6th stanza?
“I give you an onion.
Its fierce kiss will stay on your lips, possessive and faithful
as we are,
for as long as we are.”
what are the oxymorons in the 6th stanza?
“fierce kiss” and “possessive and faithful”
what does the enjambment in the 6th stanza portray?
she is full of confidence- not to be doubted about the sureness she has for her love
what does “fierce kiss” mean?
what love can truly be like and the highs and lows of being in love
what do the lines “as we are, for as long as we are” show?
they sound like wedding vows
what does the line “for as long as we are” show?
whatever happens in their marriage- their love will always linger- like the fragrance of their love
what is significant about an onion?
its multi-layered and has a strong smell
emphasises the gift’s versatility- therefore showing the versatile nature of love
what is the 7th and final stanza?
“Take it.
Its platinum loops shrink to a wedding- ring,
if you like.
Lethal.
Its scent will cling to your fingers,
cling to your knife”
what does the line “take it” show?
its assertive and striking
“its platinum loops…
shrink to a wedding-ring, if you like”
what does the line “if you like” show?
almost like a proposal
what type of imagery is “its platinum loops shrink to a wedding ring”?
gustatory and visual imagery
what question does the word “lethal” bring to mind?
is marriage lethal?
“its scent will cling…
to your fingers, cling to your knife”
what does the final line show?
love is not easily washed away- the feeling can linger and stick
what does the final word (knife) allude to?
knife- possible suggests a cutting off of the relationship
love can be destructive if not tended to properly
