Valentine Flashcards
Form
Irregular stanzas symbolise Duffy’s temperamental and unreliable personality
Single word lines gives a sense of forcefullness
Enjambement breaks up similes, emphasising their subversion of traditional themes. Also shows the flowing passion Duffy
Repetition of ‘I give you an onion’ gives forceful, domineering impression
Structure
Wanes back and forth between sweet and then possessive, we are forced to question the sanity and motives of the voice
I am trying to be truthful. Then it begins again. The voice is trying to be honest but struggling with how to get it out
The words and ideas are repeated and built up with increasing force giving the voice a sense of force-fullness (give-> take) ;symbolises different layers of an onion
The immediate negative tone of ‘not’ subverts the reader’s expectations
Language
Possessive, dark and fierce imagery which subverts the reader’s expectations
The corporeal imagery shows possession
Lethal is end-stopped and alone of the line - dependency and isolation if the other were to leave , also theme of danger
Not a red rose or a satin heart
Subverts expectations
Alliteration seems almost mocking
Tactile imagery
Moon metaphor
Massive, distant, lonely
Moon provides life functions
Something to wonder at
Smaller
Here.
Forceful, demanding
It will blind you with tears like a lover
Negative connotations
She is trying to seduce him with a horrible idea of love
A wobbling photo of grief
Hurt
why would u want that for ur significant other?
I am trying to be truthful.
Anonymous warning
Not a cute card or Kissogram
More mocking tone with alliteration
I give you an onion.
Repetition
She is trying again to emphasise her point
Obsessive?
Fierce kiss
Would normally indicate passion, but this woman is nuts so ya know
Possessive and faithful
Positive and negative ways of saying the same thing
Fluctuating sanity
Why negative first?
for as long as we are
She does not expect the relationship to last
It might self destruct
She’s in it for the ride
Take it.
Command
Platinum loops shrink to a wedding ring
Rare, expensive -> a reward
Possessive , long time away
Platinum is very light , pure , but also steely - callous and cold?
Lethal. cling to your knife
Long lasting impact
The love will kill them both but she Still wants it
Dark connotations give ending eerie feel as it does not feel finished .
Love can wound
Threat?
CONTEXT?
First woman to hold a Poet Laureate in the UK - 2009
Extended metaphor
Unusual
Love provides necessary and sustenance, but it superficially causes pain
Different layers
Alliteration and consonance of ‘cute card or kissogram’ gives sense of disdain and contempt, emphasises the theme of honesty portrayed by the extended metaphor of the onion.
Direct address
Personal
The reader feels threatened
Also the personal pronouns increase direct sense, it is meant for a specific person, not universal
