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poetry > valentine > Flashcards

valentine Flashcards

1
Q

who is this poem written by?

A

Carol Ann Duffy

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2
Q

why did Duffy write this poem?

A

in response to a challenge from a radio presenter who asked her to write an original poem for Valentine’s day

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3
Q

what person is the poem written in?

A

1st person

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4
Q

what type of poem is it?

A

a dramatic monologue

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5
Q

is there a rhyming pattern?

A

no- it is free verse

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6
Q

is there any repetition?

A

a few words- e.g. “not a” and “I give you an onion” “cling”

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7
Q

what are the stanza length likes?

A

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

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8
Q

what themes are explored in the poem?

A

love
convention
individualism
vanity/ materialism

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9
Q

the lack of rhythm and rhyme gives what kind of feel to the poem?

A

a disjointed feel

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10
Q

what are the single word lines like?

A

forceful and aggressive in tone

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11
Q

what is the poem a list for?

A

a list of the ways that the onion represents love

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12
Q

what technique does the onion showcase?

A

an extended metaphor- gradually reveals the deteriorations of love over time

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13
Q

what is the poem about?

A

represents the negatives as well as the positive effects of a deep and loving relationship

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14
Q

what is the final line of the poem?

A

“cling to your knife”- the negatives of love

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15
Q

what does the forceful presentation of the gift perhaps symbolise about their love?

A

suggests their relationship is cruel, domineering and menacing

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16
Q

what does the direct address in the poem do?

A

gives an honest and personal tone

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17
Q

what do the imperative verbs convey?

A

they are very commanding and forceful

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18
Q

what does the negative/ threatening language create in the poem?

A

gives the idea that it is unusual for a love poem- creates a dark undertone- hinting at the potential dangerous side to love

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19
Q

what are some examples of the imperative verbs in the poem?

A

“give” “here” “will” “give” “take”

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20
Q

what are some examples of the threatening words in the poem?

A

“cling” “blind” “fierce” “possessive” “lethal”

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21
Q

what does the poem challenge?

A

the stereotypical view of a valentine’s gift- an example of conceit

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22
Q

has Duffy ever had any relationships?

A

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

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23
Q

what is the first line of the poem?

A

“not a red rose or a satin heart”

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24
Q

what is the onion throughout the poem?

A

an extended metaphor for love

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25
Q

what does the “red rose” symbolise?

A

the “cuteness” associated with these items- traditionally uses as valentines gifts

26
Q

what type of imagery is the “red rose”?

A

visual and olfactory imagery

27
Q

what does the title symbolise?

A

its a pure love poem- unique to the poet

28
Q

what does the rejection of the “red rose” and “satin heart” represent?

A

true love and their own form of love is more than cliche gifts

29
Q

her rejection of traditional gifts symbolises what?

A

her love is not traditional- a traditional gift will not do to represent her love

30
Q

what is the second stanza?

A

“I give you an onion.
It is a moon wrapped in brown paper.
It promises light
like the careful undressing of love”

31
Q

what does the second stanza symbolise love as?

A

symbolises love in a more realistic way than roses/ heart-shaped candies

32
Q

what does the onion represent due to it being an everyday ordinary object?

A

it represents her deepest feelings and most abstract thoughts

33
Q

“it is a moon…

A

wrapped in brown paper”

34
Q

what is the symbolism of the “moon”?

A

a traditional phrase of lovers is to give someone the moon- shows your love for them

35
Q

“like the careful…

A

undressing of love”

36
Q

what does “the careful undressing of love” show?

A

one has to carefully peel the skin from an onion to avoid tears

37
Q

what is the 3rd stanza?

A

“Here.
It will blind you with tears
like a lover.
It will make your reflection
a wobbling photo of grief”

38
Q

what does the line “it will blind you with tears” show?

A

it highlights the extreme fine line between the love or the onion

39
Q

what does the line “it will blind you with tears” also show?

A

the downs of love- can make you cry and upset

40
Q

what does the ordinary objects in the poem show?

A

the juxtaposition of ordinary objects with her intense feelings create the mood and tone of the poem

41
Q

what is the 4th stanza?

A

“I am trying to be truthful.”

42
Q

what does her trying to be “truthful” show?

A

it shows her genuine feelings not her trying to be facetious

43
Q

what line comes after “I am trying to be truthful”?

A

“not a cute card or a kissogram”

44
Q

what is the symbolism of the line “not a cute card or a kissogram” standing in isolation?

A

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

45
Q

what imagery is shown by “not a cute card or a kissogram”?

A

visual and tactile imagery

46
Q

what is Duffy trying to say about meaningless gifts?

A

sentiment and hard work trumps love based on meaningless gifts- also criticises the conventions associated with valentines

47
Q

what is the 6th stanza?

A

“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.”

48
Q

what are the oxymorons in the 6th stanza?

A

“fierce kiss” and “possessive and faithful”

49
Q

what does the enjambment in the 6th stanza portray?

A

she is full of confidence- not to be doubted about the sureness she has for her love

50
Q

what does “fierce kiss” mean?

A

what love can truly be like and the highs and lows of being in love

51
Q

what do the lines “as we are, for as long as we are” show?

A

they sound like wedding vows

52
Q

what does the line “for as long as we are” show?

A

whatever happens in their marriage- their love will always linger- like the fragrance of their love

53
Q

what is significant about an onion?

A

its multi-layered and has a strong smell
emphasises the gift’s versatility- therefore showing the versatile nature of love

54
Q

what is the 7th and final stanza?

A

“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”

55
Q

what does the line “take it” show?

A

its assertive and striking

56
Q

“its platinum loops…

A

shrink to a wedding-ring, if you like”

57
Q

what does the line “if you like” show?

A

almost like a proposal

58
Q

what type of imagery is “its platinum loops shrink to a wedding ring”?

A

gustatory and visual imagery

59
Q

what question does the word “lethal” bring to mind?

A

is marriage lethal?

60
Q

“its scent will cling…

A

to your fingers, cling to your knife”

61
Q

what does the final line show?

A

love is not easily washed away- the feeling can linger and stick

62
Q

what does the final word (knife) allude to?

A

knife- possible suggests a cutting off of the relationship
love can be destructive if not tended to properly

poetry (16 decks)

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