Valentine (A)

Question 1

What is the story of ‘Valentine’

Answer 1

The poem describes the speaker giving their lover the gift of an onion. The speaker rejects cliché love. The poem then lists the ways an onion is more representative of the realities of love. This is unconventional

Question 2

What is the context of ‘Valentine’

Answer 2

Carol Ann Duffy often tackles difficult subjects, encouraging other points of view. Duffy is a lesbian and in 1993 when it was written gay people could get married

Question 3

What is the message of ‘Valentine’

Answer 3

-That love is complicated
-Traditional symbols and conventions of love do not convey the complexity of the concept.
-Love can be hurtful

Question 4

What is the structure of ‘Valentine’

Answer 4

It is written in free verse. There is no regularity, maybe reflecting uncertainty of the relationship described.
The poem is a monologue, addressed to the partner

Question 5

Valentine Quote;
‘Not a red rose or a satin heart.
I give you an onion.’

Answer 5

• The speaker immediately dismisses the clichés of love.
• Prepares for a much more realistic portrayal of love.
• The unconventional gift of an onion is simple, without embellishment, and can bring joy.

Question 6

Valentine Quote;
‘It will blind you with tears
like a lover.’

Answer 6

• The onion is an extended metaphor for love.
• There is a warning here that love can be hurtful, and that those in love are vulnerable
• We wouldn’t usually associate this image with love

Question 7

Valentine Quote;
‘I am trying to be truthful’

Answer 7

• This emphasises that the speaker is trying to be honest about the realities of love. The word ‘trying’ suggests that this is not easy

Question 8

Valentine Quote;
‘Its fierce kiss will stay on your lips’

Answer 8

• Juxtaposition of ‘fierce kiss’ suggests that love is passionate but also dangerous.
• ‘stay on your lips’ This image also suggests that the experience of love stays with you, like an onion

Question 9

Valentine Quote;
‘Its platinum loops shrink to a wedding-ring’

Answer 9

• Feels like an offhand proposal
• ‘Shrink’ suggests that the speaker sees marriage as constraining or restrictive
• Perhaps an unconventional love is more authentic and free.

Question 10

Valentine Quote;
‘Its scent will cling to your fingers,
cling to your knife’

Answer 10

• Final warning, and a sense of danger that comes with love
• The speaker offers an onion and the recipient brandishes a ‘knife’
• Love is ‘lethal’ and impossible to forget (‘Cling’)