valentine Flashcards
1
Q
poet
A
carol ann duffy
2
Q
structure
A
free verse = reflection of non-conventional relationship
- physical and emotional freedom
- stanza length varies = inconcistency of relationships
3
Q
context
A
- first openely gay poet laurete
- poetry subject to controversy,
- rejects consumerist views
4
Q
“red rose” “satin heart”
A
- semantic link to romantic materialism, use of adjectives somewhat decorates the “rose” and “heart” linking to how romance is reduced to ornate, attractive gifts, negates symbols of superficial love
5
Q
“not a”
A
anaphora = repeated twice - duffy’s consistent rejection of cliche symbols of love
6
Q
“i give you an onion”
A
- juxtaposition of pronouns = rejection of typical stereotypes
- “onion” acts as a metaphor for her love, suggests a love more complex and layered than the shallow version expressed in modern society
- echoes use of natural nouns in stanza 1, no noun preceding = this gift is significant and real
7
Q
“careful undressing of love.”
A
- end stop emphasises the resounding action - strange but banal action emulating how sincere expressions of love are not grand gestures, but distinct and usual
8
Q
“blind you with tears”
A
- onion acts as a conceit, an extended metaphor for her love
- onions make people cry - so does speakers expression of love
9
Q
“not a cute card or kissogram”
A
- cyclical structure = inability to move forward, reiterates main point of poem - true love cannot be found in romantic materialism
10
Q
“cling to your knife”
“cling to your fingers”
A
- allegorical potrayal of how traces of relationships remain, they will forever stay with you
-“cling” = struggle to remove, difficulty within relationships reject stereotypical version of love
11
Q
“valentine”
A
- sets up fundamental theme
- immediatley subverts idea of romanticised romance and valentines day
- consumerist implications with valentines day
12
Q
“possessive and faithful”
A
- contradicting emotions = complex nature of love
- “cling” = exertion of dominance and unsettling behaviours
- faithful = trusting
- battle- like = positive and negative elements try and fight for dominance in the relationship
