Analysis of Carol Ann Duffy's Poem "Valentine" and its Themes
Explore the symbolism and themes in Carol Ann Duffy's poem "Valentine," where the comparison between an onion and love challenges traditional notions of romance. The poet's use of vivid imagery and language devices encourages readers to contemplate the complexities of relationships and the nature of true intimacy.
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I will blind you with tears. I am a moon wrapped in brown paper. I have platinum loops . I will make your reflection a wobbling photo of grief. My scent will cling to your fingers, cling to your knife .
Carol Ann Duffy She wrote poetry from an early age, and was first published at the age of 15. She has since written plays, critical works, and several volumes of poetry. 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. She wrote the poem Valentine in 1993. It was is written from her own personal experience.
What about this? What do these objects make you think of? Do they have anything in common?
Valentine http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/english_literature/poetry_wjec/treatmentofwomen/valentine/video/ Not a cute card or a kissogram. Not a red rose or a satin heart. I give you an onion. Its fierce kiss will stay on your lips, 15 possessive and faithful as we are, for as long as we are. I give you an onion. It is a moon wrapped in brown paper. It promises light 5 like the careful undressing of love. Here. It will blind you with tears like a lover. It will make your reflection 10 a wobbling photo of grief. Take it. Its platinum loops shrink to a wedding-ring, 20 if you like. Lethal. Its scent will cling to your fingers, cling to your knife. I am trying to be truthful. Can you highlight the words which explain how the onion is like love?
Valentine Not a red rose or a satin heart. Not a cute card or a kissogram. I give you an onion. It is a moon wrapped in brown paper. It promises light 5 like the careful undressing of love. I give you an onion. Its fierce kiss will stay on your lips, 15 possessive and faithful as we are, for as long as we are. Here. It will blind you with tears like a lover. It will make your reflection 10 a wobbling photo of grief. Take it. Its platinum loops shrink to a wedding-ring, 20 if you like. Lethal. Its scent will cling to your fingers, cling to your knife. I am trying to be truthful.
In pairs discuss the following: What do you think the poem is about? Who do you think it s to? Have you noticed any language devices? If so, what are they? 3 minutes discussion with a partner.
The title of the poem suggests romance/love/commitment/lover. Written on Valentine s day (14th February) A day where gifts are given Valentine
The title is juxtaposed with the negativity of the 1st line, which starts with a negative. Not a red rose or a satin heart. This statement sounds disapproving. Shows the deliberate decision to reject more traditional gifts Sounds like poem starts in the middle of conversation satin heart - Short sentences reflect deliberate, precise actions/statement of fact Colour red?
Short end stopped line sounds humorous in comparison to the red rose or satin heart . Use of first and second person makes the poem seem personal. She is talking directly to her lover: the recipient of the gift Onion is the first reference to a metaphor for love, which is extended throughout the poem. Suggests it s a gift I give you an onion. It is a moon wrapped in brown paper. It promises light like the undressing of love. moon associated with love songs + sexuality. Said to influence moods and emotions, esp. women. The onion with its brown outer skin and white flesh is compared to a moon Like love, the unwrapping of the onion (brown outer layer) gives way to a more tender inside. Tender image. Tender The promise of light could be: romantic moonlight, light touches/gentleness, Light hearted promises and behaviour at the start of a relationship (start of commitment) Peeling layers of an onion represents gradually getting to know a new lover and also the literal undressing before making love (committed sexual relationship)
Scent of onions can people cry. Duffy introduces a negative side to love. The onion is an appropriate gift because it causes tears just like a lover can. Double meaning of word blind literal sense of tears from peeling onion, metaphorical sense of love being blind. Simile comparison tears (onion/love sadness) Powerful end stopped short line reinforces sense of offering, although more like a direct order. Change to more negative tone. Here. It will blind you with tears like a lover. It will make your reflection a wobbling photo of grief. Are you recognisable to your old self before love? Love changes you. Love distorts reality. grief negative wobble - total commitment
I am trying to be truthful. Single end stopped line reinforces the statement. Alliteration strengthens feeling that love should be honest .
Not a cute card or kissogram. Single line juxtaposes with the line before. As if cute cards or kissograms are not truthful. Confirms Duffy s intention to provide what she sees as an appropriate symbol of love Negative again shows the rejection of conventional gifts cute card alliteration (ironic)
Repetition of line 2 reminds the reader of this gift reaffirms intention 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. Extended metaphor Sibilance reinforces kissing sound creating onomatopoeic effect. Taste lingers, like love Words suggest commitment possessive/faithful lovers Cynical Again Duffy is rejecting conventional ideas in an attempt to be truthful Suggests that love is temporary/will not last forever. This goes against traditional romantic ideas (committed bond till death to us part ) but the scent overwhelming, lasting longer. Maybe suggests that lovers should only stay together for as long as they are passionate. Reinforced by end stopped line.
Another powerful command/imperative short sentence. More direct this time reinforced by end stop (caesura). Short definite statement. Almost a challenge for the recipient/reader to accept the gift and therefore accept/understand Duffy s unconventional view Internal rhyme links sense of concentric rings. platinum most precious metal Take it. Its platinum loops shrink to a wedding-ring, if you like. Onion rings represent wedding rings. The way onion rings get progressively smaller suggests the way commitment is gradually made. shrink has negative connotations; suggests a reduction possibly from something not tarnished platinum to reducing love to wedding . Does it suggest the speaker is cynical to long term commitment. Does she suggest it doesn t last? Total marital commitment can have it s problems. Reinforces negativity. Onus is placed on the listener. Suggests Duffy doesn t need/totally agree with the comparison humouring the reader/recipient by satisfying the need for traditional symbols
Single end caesura powerful. Implied meaning is that love can be lethal . Stark, single word statement. Negative view of commitment? Suggestion that too much commitment can be damaging to love or the relationship? Love clings on. Repetition of cling means scent could refer to bodily scent being strong and physical. Scents linger possibly, for longer than the relationship or a this relationship will be difficult to escape? Lethal. Its scent will cling to your fingers, cling to your knife. Cross rhyme connects this repetition. Ambiguous ending implies threat. Kitchen knife may become weapon for a jealous lover. The permanence of this could be seen as positive. Love stays but the image of an onion smell lingering is unpleasant and to end with the word knife is disturbing. Love/relationships can be damaged by being too clingy ?
Theme of commitment/loyalty/love Relationships should be honest and couples should be committed to each other Duffy refuses to accept relationships as simply romantic . More to commitment? Committed relationships are emotionally complex. One should be cautious in love (line 17) as commitment can change and be damaging.
Not a red rose or a satin heart. Not a cute card or a kissogram. I am trying to be truthful. What does Duffy think is wrong with these gifts?
What does it suggest about love and commitment? Choose a word or poetic device and explain why it has been used. What is the effect on the reader? What does it make us think or feel? Quote Its fierce kiss will stay on your lips, possessive and faithful
Why does Carol Ann Duffy use an onion to symbolise love? In her poem Valentine , Carol Ann Duffy gives her love an ______. She feels this is a better gift than a traditional _______ or _________ because __________ . One way that she suggests an onion symbolises her love is The word, _______ implies that she thinks love is Another example of how an onion is like love is Here she makes the reader feel
Link to commitment Title of Valentine suggests: Shows realistic love and the ups and downs that commitment brings. Promises light =personification=hopeful stage of commitment. Layers of onion as different stages. Link to marriage. Repetition of cling highlights feelings of desperation. Last word of knife suggests the wound commitment can bring or leave. Negative start with not and rejection of traditional gifts. Stanza 1 and the changing nature of relationships. Onion: extended metaphor, unconventional gift. Moon: romantic images, promises light. Metaphor. Brown paper=outer layer. Theme Stanza 2 Free verse-no rhyme or pattern. Irregular stanzas, some only one line. Form=form of onion and different layers. Structure Simile/ personification: blind you with tears like a lover . The onion is compared to a lover and the way love often leaves us in tears. Valentine Stanza 3 First person I Repetitionof not =same as stanza 1. Syllables=9 in both. Stanza 4 Narrator Man or woman? Stanza 6 Platinum =precious metal=ironic, as onion is not precious. Metaphor: The loops of the onion are compared to a wedding ring that shrink which implies being trapped. Oxymoronof fierce kiss suggests the unnaturalness of the kiss. Romantic-negative love-jealous-violent. Tone Stanza 7 Alliteration Cute card Red rose The poem is an extended metaphor about how the unromantic properties of the onion fits the notion of love. Each stanza also shows the different phases of love, how it begins with all the best intentions yet gradually deteriorates into misunderstandings and violence. Clich d Valentines suggests overuse in other love poems.
