Valentine Flashcards
“not a red rose or a satin heart”
THEME
•Juxtaposition of a negative word with positive connotations
•our expectations are subverted as the speaker is rejecting/dismissing traditional symbols of love
“i give you an onion”
STATEMENT
•an onion is the antithesis of a valentines day gift. it is ordinary, cheap and mundane
“it is a moon”
EXTENDED METAPHOR
•a moon is a conventional romantic symbol of feminine love and passion
•The moon’s phases can also symbolize the changing nature of love, suggesting that it is not always constant
“wrapped in brown paper”
THEME
•“brown paper” refers to the texture and colour of the onion and is a reminder that valentines gifts don’t have to be wrapped in expensive wrapping
“it promises light”
•optimism of a fulfilling relationship
“like the careful undressing of love”
•the removing of layers of an onion refers to the sexual aspect of relationships, growth of emotional bonds and getting to know one another better
“it will blind you with tears like a lover”
IMAGERY
•just as you cry when you cut onions so too relationships will cause you pain and sadness
•”blind” suggests love can make you blind to the flaws of others
“it will make your reflection a wobbling photo of grief”
TONE
•the negative tone conveys a warning
•alludes to seeing love or your reflection through tear filled eyes
“i am trying to be truthful”
SINGLE EMPHATIC SENTENCE
•”trying” suggests that honesty is difficult in a relationship which conveys that the truth is hard to hear
not a cute card or kissogram
REPETITION (EMPHATIC SENTENCE)
•links back to the opening line which reinforces the speaker’s objections to traditional valentines day gifts
“its fierce kiss will stay on your lips”
PERSONIFICATION
•just as an onions smell lingers for a long time, so too does the memories of a passionate lover
“possessive and faithful”
CONTRAST
•juxtaposition highlights the confusion a relationship or love can have
“it’s platinum loops shrink to a wedding ring”
“loops”
•ongoing/repetitive
•while love may start of as something beautiful, it can ultimately turn restrictive which leads to feelings of entrapment and limitations in the relationship
“lethal”
MINOR SENTENCE- POWERFUL ADJ
•suggests that love can not only be passionate and beautiful but also harmful and destructive
“its scent will cling to your fingers, cling to your knife”
“cling” repetition
•just as the scent of an onion is strong and difficult to remove or shake off, so too the memory of a deep relationship will last
•also suggests emotional dependence
