Valentine

Question 1

“Not a red rose, or a satin heart”

Answer 1

Duffy juxtaposes the traditional cuteness associated with Valentine’s day, through the alliteration “red rose”, and the adverb “not” to suggest that love and relationships aren’t always what you’d expect.

Question 2

“It will blind you with tears”

Answer 2

Duffy ties sadness and negative emotions with the norm of lovers, portraying love as a destructive force emotionally.

Question 3

“I am trying to be truthful”

Answer 3

Duffy places this line separate from the stanza, to emphasise the importance of honesty within a good relationship. Although there is a sense of ambiguity provoked by Duffy through the verb “trying”, as it suggests that being honest may be difficult while in love.

Question 4

“possessive and faithful”

Answer 4

Duffy uses the oxymoronic phrase to symbolise the dual nature of love and emphasing the ups and downs that one experiences while in a loving relationship.