Poetry: Valentine Flashcards
(18 cards)
Whys: 1
Through the unconventional gift of an onion, Duffy rejects the consumerism, materialism and
performative gestures increasingly associated with Valentine’s day.
Whys: 2
Duffy questions the viability of life-long commitment and fidelity, and instead alludes to the
evanescent, temporary nature of love.
Whys: 3
Duffy is critical of romanticised, idealistic portrayals of love and relationships and instead
presents love as a possessive and dangerous force, which often leads to insecurity and
obsession.
Which themes are present in this poem?
Love and relationships
Negative emotions
Which poems can be linked with this poem?
Sonnet 43
She walks in beauty
Cozy apologia
Context 1
Duffy likes to break conventions and in valentine she is criticising societys views of being materialistic
Context 2
Duffys poetry is often feminist in its themes and approach
What is the form like in the poem?
Stanzas are irregular length, several of only one line
Makes the poem seem disjointed
Some lines are made of single words
How can the form relate to the content of the poem?
Single words gives emphasis to the forceful tone of the speaker
What is the structure of the poem?
Poem is the list of the ways the onion symbolises love
Ideas repeated throughout
Mirrors the different layers in the onio
What is the poem about?
expresses love and affection in the form of a conceit whereby the symbol of love being offered by the speaker is an unconventional onion
What is the rhyming like in the poem?
Free verse poem
no traditional form, so there is no regular rhyme scheme / poetic meter / stanza length.
This reflects the main ethos of the poem; this is a non-conventional relationship
Not a red rose or a satin heart
Rejection of clichés
Negation, symbolism
Begins with a firm rejection of traditional, superficial love symbols.
I give you an onion
Honesty, Unusual Love
Extended metaphor
Central image—love is layered, strong, sometimes painful, just like an onion.
It will blind you with tears / like a lover
Pain, Passion
Simile
Suggests real love brings pain, not just romance. Love is emotional and can hurt.
Its fierce kiss will stay on your lips
Desire, Permanence
Metaphor, personification
Love is intense, physical, and lingering—not always sweet or easy.
Lethal
Danger, Possessiveness
One-word sentence
Sharp tone shift—shows how love can turn controlling or destructive
Its scent will cling to your fingers, / cling to your knife
Obsession, Violence
Repetition, dual imagery
Ends darkly—love leaves a mark, but also hints at violence or heartbreak. The knife suggests cutting ties or even danger.
