Valentine Flashcards
Not a red rose or satin heart 3
-starting with a negative emphasises the idea that the speaker is dismissing the usual signs of love.
-Satin has a luxurious feel to it but is not a substitute to a beating heart which implies that it is fake love, and these symbols are not real.
-A rose will wither and die and has thorns on it, holding negative connotations.
I give you an onion
the start of the stanza is emphasising that it is an important gift and the onion is an important symbol of love.
It is a moon wrapped in brown paper 2
-Just as a moon is associated with romance and we need the moon to survive so too love is essential for everyone and it enhances our experiences.
-Brown paper relates to the brown onion skin, it is an everyday object which is common. Something wrapped is typically exciting suggesting love is exciting.
It promises light 3
-Promise is a guarantee and reminds us of a promise ring which symbolises commitment and being together.
-Light enlightens your life and brings joy to your life.
-Love promises the light to make it better which reminds us of a moon giving us light which also links to the round white onion.
Like the careful undressing of love 2
-undressing of love reminds us of us peeling the skin of an onion which compares to taking your partner’s clothes off which discusses the lust element of the relationship.
-The word choice of ‘careful’ suggests they are taking their time, are cautious and are gentle which gives us a positive impression of love.
Here. 1
One line emphasises her command. She thinks the onion is the adequate symbol of love.
It will blind you with tears like a lover 1
Just as a chopped onion will make you upset so too will a lover cause heartbreak and upset feelings.
it will make your reflection a wobbling photo of grief 2
-Just as grief can cause distress and sadness so too can the end of a relationship cause heartbreak as it’s the death of the relationship.
-Wobbling suggests shaking and instability as the speaker is so upset they cannot stay still.
I am trying to be truthful 3
-It emphasises the idea of her honesty to emphasise the positive and negative aspects of love so we don’t romanticise this love.
-She says this after explaining both positive and negative aspects of love.
-Provides a change of tone as the poem becomes darker.
Fierce kiss will stay on your lips 3
-Just as the taste of an onion lingers so too the memory of a loved one will stay in your head.
-Fierce has connotations of strong and aggression, which contrasts the soft sound of kiss.
-Dark tone and sinister aspect of love.
Possessive and faithful 3
-Possessive holds negative connotations of controlling manner yet faithful holds positive connotations of being loyal.
-The conflict/contrast shows both sides.
-sinister aspect of love.
Its platinum loops shrink to a wedding ring 2
-Platinum is a precious metal which suggests marriage is the ultimate sign of commitment which emphasises the pure joy of love.
-Shrink has negative connotations as it feels restricted so marriage can hold a negative impact on some people.
Lethal. 2
Dark tone.
The minor sentence emphasises the fatal side of love and it can be brutal, aggressive and violent.
its scent will cling to you fingers, cling to your knife 2
-Just as an onion can be sliced by a knife, so too can a knife slice your heart and kill you or create an emotional death due to heartbreak.
-The repetition of cling suggests it won’t let go and it is controlling, almost reminding us of a stalker. It suggests the memory won’t leave.
Title - 1
We think of general romantic symbols like roses and teddy bears.
