Valentine Flashcards
Poet?
Carol Ann Duffy
About?
The narrator gives her partner a a valentines gift. However rather than a traditional gift, it is an onion.
The poem explains why the onion is an appropriate symbol of their love more than other stereotypical gifts.
Form and Structure?
Irregular Stanza lengths
single word lines
single line stanza’s
The poem is a list of how the onion symbolises their love
Q - First line, not a traditional love poem
‘Not a red rose or a satin heart.’
Q - Personal Pronouns, introducing the onion
‘I give you an onion.’
Q - Physical intimacy
‘like the careful undressing of love.’
Q - Love causes pain, juxtaposes traditional valentine messages, strongly negative language
‘It will blind you with tears’
‘a wobbling photo of greif’
Q - Ending, love can hurt, disturbing and powerful image referencing the power of love
‘Its scent will cling to your fingers, cling to your knife’
Q - End stopping. Unexpected turn.
‘Lethal.’
Q - Physical love, starting to change moods
‘Its fierce kiss will stay on your lips, possessive and faithful’
