Valentine Flashcards
(10 cards)
What is the story about ?
Valentine describes a gift for a lover, such as you
would give on Valentine’s Day. It is a rather
unusual present – an onion. The poem explains
why it is a powerful gift of love, much more than
the clichéd roses or box of chocolates. The onion
becomes a metaphor for love, and so the poem
is about love as well as Valentine gifts
What is the context ?
Carol Ann Duffy (born 1955) is a Scottish poet, and is currently
the UK’s first female (and first Scottish) Poet Laureate.
Her poetry has been the subject of controversy. She follows in
the poetic tradition of, for example, Robert Browning, in
writing monologues from the point of view of disturbed
characters.
Duffy often tackles difficult subjects, encouraging the reader
to explore alternative points of view.
Duffy’s poetry is often feminist in its themes and approach.
Her collection The World’s Wife took characters from history,
literature and mythology and gave them a female point of
view, as a sister, a wife or a feminised version of a character
What is the structure of the
poem ?
The poem begins by listing clichéd gifts that people give and receive for Valentine’s Day. As the
poem progresses, Duffy explores pain and hurt that is associated with love and she ends the poem
using a negative tone and a hint of danger.
It’s Free verse
What are the main themes and links ?
Relationships and love – Sonnet 43, She Walks in Beauty and Cozy Apologia
When was it published ?
1993
The title “Valentine” suggests a typical love poem but how does the first line contradict this ?
The opening line “Not a red rose
or a satin heart” suggests the poet rejects traditional images of love.
The poem is written first person with an forceful tone , “I give you an onion”
and “Take it” . How does these imperative verbs when duffy is telling her her love to take the onion as a valentine gift ?
It immediately debunks the idea of a traditional valentines present like a “red rose or a stain heart”
What does it suggest when Duffy says that love isn’t elevated or refined as “a wobbling photo of grief “
It suggests that love can be painful and our emotions can overwhelm us
What does the language Duffy uses such as “blind” , “fierce” and “possessive” illustrates ?
It illustrates an intensity to love and how it will last forever if they stay true to each other
What did duffy mean when she finishes of the poem with “cling to your knife” and uses imperative verbs through the poem ?
It shows that love can be dangerous and consuming. The slightly sinister tone suggests an obsessive side to love.
The imperative verbs create a forceful tone that can highlight the controlling side to love
