valentine

Question 1

who is this poem written by?

Answer 1

Carol Ann Duffy

Question 2

why did Duffy write this poem?

Answer 2

in response to a challenge from a radio presenter who asked her to write an original poem for Valentine’s day

Question 3

what person is the poem written in?

Answer 3

1st person

Question 4

what type of poem is it?

Answer 4

a dramatic monologue

Question 5

is there a rhyming pattern?

Answer 5

no- it is free verse

Question 6

is there any repetition?

Answer 6

a few words- e.g. “not a” and “I give you an onion” “cling”

Question 7

what are the stanza length likes?

Answer 7

short stanzas followed by longer stanzas and the mix of sentence lengths gives the poem a stuttering feel- adds to the unease
acts as a mirror for the ups and downs of a relationship

Question 8

what themes are explored in the poem?

Answer 8

love
convention
individualism
vanity/ materialism

Question 9

the lack of rhythm and rhyme gives what kind of feel to the poem?

Answer 9

a disjointed feel

Question 10

what are the single word lines like?

Answer 10

forceful and aggressive in tone

Question 11

what is the poem a list for?

Answer 11

a list of the ways that the onion represents love

Question 12

what technique does the onion showcase?

Answer 12

an extended metaphor- gradually reveals the deteriorations of love over time

Question 13

what is the poem about?

Answer 13

represents the negatives as well as the positive effects of a deep and loving relationship

Question 14

what is the final line of the poem?

Answer 14

“cling to your knife”- the negatives of love

Question 15

what does the forceful presentation of the gift perhaps symbolise about their love?

Answer 15

suggests their relationship is cruel, domineering and menacing

Question 16

what does the direct address in the poem do?

Answer 16

gives an honest and personal tone

Question 17

what do the imperative verbs convey?

Answer 17

they are very commanding and forceful

Question 18

what does the negative/ threatening language create in the poem?

Answer 18

gives the idea that it is unusual for a love poem- creates a dark undertone- hinting at the potential dangerous side to love

Question 19

what are some examples of the imperative verbs in the poem?

Answer 19

“give” “here” “will” “give” “take”

Question 20

what are some examples of the threatening words in the poem?

Answer 20

“cling” “blind” “fierce” “possessive” “lethal”

Question 21

what does the poem challenge?

Answer 21

the stereotypical view of a valentine’s gift- an example of conceit

Question 22

has Duffy ever had any relationships?

Answer 22

at a young age she embarked on a torrid love affair with the poet Adrian Henri- her poem captures the deterioration of love over time and the challenges, complexities and disappointments lovers can feel

Question 23

what is the first line of the poem?

Answer 23

“not a red rose or a satin heart”

Question 24

what is the onion throughout the poem?

Answer 24

an extended metaphor for love

Question 25

what does the "red rose" symbolise?

Answer 25

the "cuteness" associated with these items- traditionally uses as valentines gifts

Question 26

what type of imagery is the "red rose"?

Answer 26

visual and olfactory imagery

Question 27

what does the title symbolise?

Answer 27

its a pure love poem- unique to the poet

Question 28

what does the rejection of the "red rose" and "satin heart" represent?

Answer 28

true love and their own form of love is more than cliche gifts

Question 29

her rejection of traditional gifts symbolises what?

Answer 29

her love is not traditional- a traditional gift will not do to represent her love

Question 30

what is the second stanza?

Answer 30

"I give you an onion. It is a moon wrapped in brown paper. It promises light like the careful undressing of love"

Question 31

what does the second stanza symbolise love as?

Answer 31

symbolises love in a more realistic way than roses/ heart-shaped candies

Question 32

what does the onion represent due to it being an everyday ordinary object?

Answer 32

it represents her deepest feelings and most abstract thoughts

Question 33

"it is a moon...

Answer 33

wrapped in brown paper"

Question 34

what is the symbolism of the "moon"?

Answer 34

a traditional phrase of lovers is to give someone the moon- shows your love for them

Question 35

"like the careful...

Answer 35

undressing of love"

Question 36

what does "the careful undressing of love" show?

Answer 36

one has to carefully peel the skin from an onion to avoid tears

Question 37

what is the 3rd stanza?

Answer 37

"Here. It will blind you with tears like a lover. It will make your reflection a wobbling photo of grief"

Question 38

what does the line "it will blind you with tears" show?

Answer 38

it highlights the extreme fine line between the love or the onion

Question 39

what does the line "it will blind you with tears" also show?

Answer 39

the downs of love- can make you cry and upset

Question 40

what does the ordinary objects in the poem show?

Answer 40

the juxtaposition of ordinary objects with her intense feelings create the mood and tone of the poem

Question 41

what is the 4th stanza?

Answer 41

"I am trying to be truthful."

Question 42

what does her trying to be "truthful" show?

Answer 42

it shows her genuine feelings not her trying to be facetious

Question 43

what line comes after "I am trying to be truthful"?

Answer 43

"not a cute card or a kissogram"

Question 44

what is the symbolism of the line "not a cute card or a kissogram" standing in isolation?

Answer 44

the line stands in isolation to highlight the importance of dismissing the materialistic things- comparison of onion as a metaphor for love becomes more ambiguous as the poem unfolds- readers become unsure what is being talked upon- love or the onion

Question 45

what imagery is shown by "not a cute card or a kissogram"?

Answer 45

visual and tactile imagery

Question 46

what is Duffy trying to say about meaningless gifts?

Answer 46

sentiment and hard work trumps love based on meaningless gifts- also criticises the conventions associated with valentines

Question 47

what is the 6th stanza?

Answer 47

"I give you an onion. Its fierce kiss will stay on your lips, possessive and faithful as we are, for as long as we are."

Question 48

what are the oxymorons in the 6th stanza?

Answer 48

"fierce kiss" and "possessive and faithful"

Question 49

what does the enjambment in the 6th stanza portray?

Answer 49

she is full of confidence- not to be doubted about the sureness she has for her love

Question 50

what does "fierce kiss" mean?

Answer 50

what love can truly be like and the highs and lows of being in love

Question 51

what do the lines "as we are, for as long as we are" show?

Answer 51

they sound like wedding vows

Question 52

what does the line "for as long as we are" show?

Answer 52

whatever happens in their marriage- their love will always linger- like the fragrance of their love

Question 53

what is significant about an onion?

Answer 53

its multi-layered and has a strong smell emphasises the gift's versatility- therefore showing the versatile nature of love

Question 54

what is the 7th and final stanza?

Answer 54

"Take it. Its platinum loops shrink to a wedding- ring, if you like. Lethal. Its scent will cling to your fingers, cling to your knife"

Question 55

what does the line "take it" show?

Answer 55

its assertive and striking

Question 56

"its platinum loops...

Answer 56

shrink to a wedding-ring, if you like"

Question 57

what does the line "if you like" show?

Answer 57

almost like a proposal

Question 58

what type of imagery is "its platinum loops shrink to a wedding ring"?

Answer 58

gustatory and visual imagery

Question 59

what question does the word "lethal" bring to mind?

Answer 59

is marriage lethal?

Question 60

"its scent will cling...

Answer 60

to your fingers, cling to your knife"

Question 61

what does the final line show?

Answer 61

love is not easily washed away- the feeling can linger and stick

Question 62

what does the final word (knife) allude to?

Answer 62

knife- possible suggests a cutting off of the relationship love can be destructive if not tended to properly