comparison cosy apologia and valentine

Question 1

how is the theme of love presented in these poems (3x key ideas)

Answer 1

• Ordinary vs unconventional love
• Both poems present the imperfect nature of love
• Love is presented as protective (leans towards possessive in valentine)

Question 2

ordinary vs unconventional love quotes for cosy apologia

Answer 2

• ‘I could pick anything and think of you (this lamp, the wind-still rain, the glossy blue my pen exudes)’
• ‘Astride a dappled mare, chainmail glinting to set me free’

Question 3

ordinary vs unconventional love analysis for these quotes:
- ‘I could pick anything and think of you (this lamp, the wind-still rain, the glossy blue my pen exudes)’
- ‘Astride a dappled mare, chainmail glinting to set me free’

Answer 3

• ‘I could pick anything and think of you (this lamp, the wind-still rain, the glossy blue my pen exudes)
  Emphatic list of ordinary, domestic images, contrasts with that normally found in love poetry, ‘you’ pronouns, intimacy, vivid description- highlights the importance of her writing (part of her identity) so by saying it reminds her of him suggests he is equally or if not more important to her (Fred is also a writer too), found everywhere- nothing special
• Astride a dappled mare, chainmail glinting to set me free
  Compares to cliched stereotypical chivalry (prince in shining armour) used in quick succession- humour in her exaggeration, sarcastic, ironic tone
• Dove herself said that her inspiration comes from everywhere

Question 4

ordinary vs unconventional love quotes for valentine

Answer 4

• title ‘Valentine’
• ‘not a red rose or a satin heart’
• ‘I give you an onion’
• ‘cute card’

Question 5

ordinary vs unconventional love analysis for these quotes:
- title ‘Valentine’
- ‘not a red rose or a satin heart’
- ‘I give you an onion’
- ‘cute card’

Answer 5

• Title ‘Valentine’ establishes a theme of love, makes the reader expect it to be about the traditional expressions of love as is has connotations to valentines day, yet immediately it subverts reader’s expectations and is the antithesis:
• ‘not a red rose or a satin heart’
  Uses a repeated anaphoric line of ‘not a..’ First line critiques conventional love, ‘red rose’ and ‘satin heart’ are stereotypical symbols of love, suggests they lack meaning and are cliché, instead,
• ‘I give you an onion’- matter of fact tone absence of an adjective, suggests she’s not trying to create a façade of love- criticises the ‘perfect’ love advertised for valentines day (was asked to write an original poem for valentines day in 1993 by a radio station), extended metaphor- onions are atypical, multi-layered, natural- completely juxtaposes the artificial unidimensional images from before, as well as ‘cute card’, where the alliteration makes them feel overly sentimental, as if they were only created to become a gimmick and for commercialisation, so by rejecting these superficial tokens of love implies she is rejecting traditions- her love is more complex and meaningful.
• Her use of free verse and irregular stanza lengths reflects the unpredictability and individuality of love, further subverting traditional poetic forms, mimics natural speech- love is less confined by societal norms
• ‘wedding ring’ ‘if you like’ suggests optionality of social expectation of love, getting married
  Writes as part of a postmodern movement, characterised by the deconstruction of ideas

Question 6

both poems present the imperfect nature of love quotes for cosy apologia

Answer 6

• We’re content but fall short of the Divine
• Who’s satisfied simply with what’s good for us, when has the ordinary ever been news?

Question 7

both poems present the imperfect nature of love analysis for these quotes:
- We’re content but fall short of the Divine
- Who’s satisfied simply with what’s good for us, when has the ordinary ever been news?

Answer 7

• We’re content but fall short of the Divine
  Adjective- shows their love is ordinary but genuine and real- contrasts with the idealised ‘Divine’ love- it’s not extraordinary but its enough, acceptance but still cherishes, Divine contrasts with the earlier seemingly perfect knight in shining armour
• Who’s satisfied simply with what’s good for us, when has the ordinary ever been news?
  Rhetorical question, self-aware, making fun of their love but is happy their love is ‘ordinary’ and simple
• Many people interpret cosy as a defence against ordinary love

Question 8

both poems present the imperfect nature of love quotes for valentine

Answer 8

• ‘it will blind you with tears like a lover’
• ‘will make your reflection a wobbling photo of grief’
• ‘platinum loops shrink to a wedding ring’ lethal’

Question 9

both poems present the imperfect nature of love analysis for these quotes:
- ‘it will blind you with tears like a lover’
- ‘will make your reflection a wobbling photo of grief’
- ‘platinum loops shrink to a wedding ring’ lethal’

Answer 9

• ‘it will blind you with tears like a lover’
  Warning, love can make you weak and vulnerable, simile- love can often be a sad experience, almost suggests the persona is speaking from experience, ‘blind’ suggests that love is inhibiting and restrictive, ‘like a lover’ suggests that love is inherently painful, with ‘lover’ remaining ambiguous
• ‘will make your reflection a wobbling photo of grief’
  Emphasises point above, negative language- juxtaposes traditional valentine’s day messages and love poetry, almost a loss of personality as ‘reflection’ turns into personification of ‘grief’, feelings take on a tangible form through ‘photo’
• ‘platinum loops shrink to a wedding ring’ lethal’
  ‘platinum’- strong, ‘shrink’- restrictive, perhaps even almost suffocation due to the relationship (long term, marriage)- both negative connotations- trapped, ‘lethal’ is emphatic of this, alone on an end-stopped line, shows love can be dangerous, hurt and even kill, almost justifying why she uses the symbol of an ‘onion’ as it has many layers highlighting the complexity of love.

Question 10

love is presented as protective (leans towards possessive in valentine) quotes for cosy apologia

Answer 10

• to set me free
• And yet, because nothing else will do to keep me from melancholy (call it blues)
• I fill this stolen time with you
• ‘Big Bad Floyd’

Question 11

love is presented as protective (leans towards possessive in valentine) analysis for these quotes:
- to set me free
- And yet, because nothing else will do to keep me from melancholy (call it blues)
- I fill this stolen time with you
- ‘Big Bad Floyd’

Answer 11

• to set me free
  her partner is associated with freedom and safety, encapsulates the protective nature of their relationship, juxtaposes
• And yet, because nothing else will do to keep me from melancholy (call it blues)
  Conjunction emphasises phrase at the start of the line- brings a change of tone which is stronger and more decisive, steers the speaker away from ‘melancholy’ and focuses on her partner’s presence and comfort
• I fill this stolen time with you
  Deliberate final emphasis is on her partner, appreciates the time stolen by ‘Big Bad Floyd’- grateful to contemplate her relationship and how content she is, sense of completeness
• Structure appears to be regular but the rhyme scheme breaks down, reflecting the presence of ‘Big Bad Floyd’, epitomising the flaws of their relationship. However the visual stability of the poem reflects how stable their relationship is and the security brought on by ‘Fred’, who she dedicated it to.
• 76 people died in Hurricane Floyd which struck the East Coast of America in 1999

Question 12

love is presented as protective (leans towards possessive in valentine) quotes for valentine

Answer 12

• ‘its fierce kiss will stay on your lips, possessive and faithful as we are for as long as we are’
• ‘cling to your fingers, cling to your knife’

Question 13

love is presented as protective (leans towards possessive in valentine) analysis for these quotes:
- ‘its fierce kiss will stay on your lips, possessive and faithful as we are for as long as we are’
- ‘cling to your fingers, cling to your knife’

Answer 13

• ‘its fierce kiss will stay on your lips, possessive and faithful as we are for as long as we are’
  Powerful adjective ‘fierce’ connotes with aggression and domineering, when coupled with ‘kiss’ suggests passion but also danger- love has a lasting effect (for good or for bad), ominous tone, negative subversion of wedding vows, oxymoron of ‘possessive and faithful’, contrasting ideas of controlling, restrictive, loyal and supportive, suggests love appears in various forms
• Emphasised by repetition of ‘cling’, suggests inescapability- love can be possessive and suffocating. Creates a powerful, disturbing ambiguous final image, especially one of a ‘knife’- love has the power to wound physically and emotionally, also emphasises permanent effects of love- with ‘knife’ perhaps demonstrating the changed outlook on the world the person has after love, they don’t see normal objects in the same way, ‘cling’ also suggests a tone of desperation. Duffy is a former poet laureate and
  is known for her direct and unflinching exploration of themes like gender, relationships, and societal norms.