valentine - carol ann duffy Flashcards
what is the poem about?
attempt to rival steorotypical love, driven by the fact she was a lesbian
gives her partner an “onion” instead of traditional gift like “rose” or “satin heart”
explain the extended metaphor of an “onion”
action of giving lover an “onion” is a metaphor for real and sincere love, as well as representing a layered and complicated relationship
how can you link poem to context?
she was a lesbian, and in 1993 when this poem was published homosexuality was not as approved as it was today which may have made her fell like an outcast, which is reflected in varying stanza lengths and an irregular rhyme scheme
comment on juxta position of traditional valetine imagery with the onion
her unique sexuality is reflected with unusual idea of an “onion” as opposed to traditional gifts
attempts to expose how love has become materialistic, as people rely on meaningless gifts
onion makes you cry but is healthy, reflecting how relationships can be positive and negative
how is structure used throughout the poem and what is the effect?
duffy uses a fragmented and disjointed structure through to reiterate how she feels out of touch as a lesbian
mirrors inconsistency of love
finish the quote “ its fierce kiss will stay ….”
its fierce kiss will stay on your lips, possessive and faithful
what language technique is used in the quote “ its fierce kiss will stay on your lips, possessive and faithful”
sibilant language
highlights a passionate/ sexual side to love
could be an attempt from duffy at suggesting love has lost its authenticity and people have to rely on lust, similar to how she suggests love has became materialistic
what language technique is used throughout “red rose” “satin heart” “ cute card” “kissogram”
semantic field of modern ideas of romance
attempts to expose how love has become materialistic
pokes fun at modern day love
how is form used throughout the poem and what is the effect?
she uses free verse via varying stanza lengths to mirror how she feels out of touch with modern day love
finish the quote “i give you an onion. it is a ….”
i give you an onion.
it is a moon wrapped in brown paper
the form of valentine is a dramatic monologue, what is the effect?
allows duffy to exhibit a personal tone and give an honest representation of how she feels about love
how is the form of the title “valentine” immediately contrasted?
“valentine” gives impression the poem will be conventional love poem
however this is immediately contrasted through “ not a red rose or a satin heart”
uses a metonym to represent love from a commercial perspective, but this is rejected right away
how is the structure of repetition used throughout the poem?
repetition is used through single line stanzas that emphasise rejection of stereotypical gifts
“not a red rose or a satin heart”
“not a cute card or a kissogram”
