Valentine

Question 1

Not a red rose or a satin heart

Answer 1

Duffy’s philosophical outlook is made apparent through the rejection of typical notions of love. The alliteration is not organic, just like the gifts which aren’t original. Both are quite trite.

Question 2

I give you an onion
A moon wrapped in brown paper
It promises light

Answer 2

An onion has many layers which you can peel away - love has many layers which you keep “undressing” until you reach a core, which can be sexual or the point where we fall in love. A symbol of complexity.
The imagery of the onion is elevated so that it is seemed as heavenly due to the light it offers, possibly in the darkest of times and the complexity of love.

Question 3

It will blind you with tears like a lover

It will make your reflection a wobbling photo of grief

Answer 3

Duffy does not shy away from the negative aspects of love and shows the realistic side that the conventional gifts do not show. Love comes with sadness and tears as well as happiness and smiles. As we do not see the inside of the onion without peeling away the brown skin, it suggests that we are blind to what love really involves until we delve deeper into the relationship. More realistic. The simile implies that it can be the partner’s fault, and we should expect that. Duffy wanted to show that love promises more than companionship.

Question 4

Fierce kiss

Answer 4

Love can be intense yet dangerous which is shown in the last stanza.

Question 5

Lethal

Cling to your fingers,/ cling to your knife

Answer 5

Anybody who has loved someone else will always have a lasting touch of it. Knives harm you physically like love can harm you emotionally.

Question 6

Evocative of metaphysical approaches 17th century poets used.
She is a feminist

Answer 6

Takes reader by surprise by using ordinary objects in unusual ways.
Wanted to write this poem as an empowerment of love so that it is not consumed by consumerism and stereotypes

Question 7

Evocative of metaphysical approaches 17th century poets used.
She is a feminist

Answer 7

Takes reader by surprise by using ordinary objects in unusual ways.
Wanted to write this poem as an empowerment of love so that it is not consumed by consumerism and stereotypes

Question 8

Form echoes the layers of an onion

Answer 8

Poem has 7 stanzas which come down to the murderous potential of love, showing how dangerous it can be