Valentine important quotes & analysis Flashcards
Valentine
title creates an expectation of typical things you would receive on valentine’s day. This is effective as the structure of the first sentence rejects the conventional symbols of love.
’ I give you an onion’
This reminds us of the moon as they are almost identical in shape and colour. The moon reminds us of romance emphasising that the onion is a positive and proper gift and a positive symbol of love
‘like the careful undressing of love’
This suggests peeling the first layer of an onion is the first stage of love which is lust. Peeling the onion is being compared to taking a lovers clothes off. ‘careful’ suggests a lot of attention is payed to it. Sensual language is used suggesting the passionate aspect of a relationship is important.
’ it will blind you with tears like a lover’
This highlights that she’s crying so much that she can’t see, this often happens when someone is heartbroken, reminds us of an onion. ‘blinds’ you because sometimes your judgement is impaired when you are in love with someone and you can’t see things clearly.
‘take it’
Minor sentence emphasises a forceful tone.
it’s platinum loops shrink to a wedding ring
Platinum is precious, more so than gold. She’s comparing the onion in thr very middle of the onion where there is a loop which is like a wedding ring - the ultimate symbol of love, it’s a sign of long term commitment, whilst it’s good to be committed sometimes people feel trapped and small and that they are expected to be together which is negative
’ possessive and faithful’
Possessive has negative connotations of being controlling and suffocated whereas faithful has very positive connotations and it means commitment and wanting to be with someone forever. Juxtaposition is used to emphasise that there is a very fine line in love
‘I am trying to be truthful’
Alliteration of ‘t’ makes the quote memorable. Shows that the writer wants to show us the reality of love
