Valentine Flashcards
“Not a red rose or a satin heart”
Poetic voice starts by dismissing stereotypical valentine gifts - doesn’t think they hold much worth
“I give you an onion”
Speaker is addressing a romantic parner but gives something unexpected - different to conventional ideas of love
“It is a moon wrapped in brown paper”
methaphor moon has connotations of romance but brown paper gives the impression of being everyday or nothing special ties in with the poets idea of real love real gifts don’t need embelishment
“It promises light like the… undressing of love”
light has positive connotations reflects optimism at the start of relationships simile compares the shedding of onion layers to delving deeper into a relationship. Love requires a careful hand careful undressing creates image of undressing a partner
“careful”
carefull suggests tenderness affection to allow barriers to come down and expose themselves
“here”
One word sentence suggests simplicity/straight forward something is being given forceful presentation
“It will blind you with tears like a lover”
simile accepts the truth about love it isn’t all perfect and happy onions scent compared to hurting the one you love
“It will make your reflection a wobbling photo of grief”
Metaphor referring to the person’s reflection when ones eyes are full of tears love can distress destructive
“I am trying to be truthful”
Single sentence stanza reflects persons desire to remain honest and keep things simple and realistic
“Not a cute card or a kissogram”
Link back to the start of the poem another reminder that the speaker disapproves of cliche gifts aliteration of cute card and red rose could suggest Duffy’s belief that it’s overused infjk love poems
“I give you an onion”
Another reminder of their desire to give meaningful gifts
“its fierce kiss will stay on your lips”
Even when love is true, there can be hard times or danger. Suggests passion can get out of control darker associations
“Possessive”
word choice connotations of jealousy distrust and insecurity
“and faithful as we are for as long as we are”
cynical about love instead of promising to last forever the relationship will only last for as long as they work at it
“take it”
Short sentence hints that speaker has become a bit desperate and worries the gift will not be accepted and neither will she
“Its platinum loops…to a wedding ring”
The further you get into a relationship the more serious it gets ending in marriage
“shrink”
Marriage might restrict a person idea of being constricted
“if you like”
Casual offer reinforces the idea that a more honest type of love is more important and true”
“lethal”
Another reminder that love can be dangerous and violent at times The knife can destroy the onion
“its scent will cling to your fingers cling to your”
suggests the possessive side of love and how it can lead to tension
“knife”
Love can be dangerous and violent at times the knife can destroy the onion
ALSO; “knife” and “fingers” are placed above each other - this draws a parallel between the two, implying that people can be hurt at the hands of their lover
Themes of valentine
Love, relationships, violence
Valentine theme
Poem is written in free verse. The form echoes that of an onion and the layers that make it up rejects tradition
Valentine negative aspects
Conventional relationships can be restrictive to the individual but a love that is true is worth pursuing
