The Onion as a Metaphor for Love
The poem "Valentine" explores love through the metaphor of an onion. It challenges traditional romantic symbols by presenting an onion as a gift, symbolizing the complexity and layers of love. The poet delves into the themes of honesty, emotional depth, and the transient nature of relationships. Through vivid imagery and poignant metaphors, the poem provides a unique perspective on love and its intricacies.
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The title of the poem suggests romance. 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.
Onion is the first reference to a metaphor for love, which is extended throughout the poem. Short end stopped line sounds humorous in comparison to the red rose or satin heart . 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. Like love, the unwrapping of the onion (brown outer layer) gives way to a more tender inside. Like love, revealing tenderness. tender
Powerful end stopped short line reinforces sense of offering, although more like a direct order. Double meaning of blind literal sense of tears from peeling onion, metaphorical sense of love being blind . Here. It will blind you with tears like a lover. It will make your reflection a wobbling photo of grief. Scent from the onion makes you cry, like love/ relationships can make you cry Are you recognisable to your old self before love? Love distorts reality.
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.
Repetition of line 2 reminds the reader of this gift 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 cynical Suggests that relationships are temporary, but the emotions overwhelming, lasting longer. Maybe suggests that lovers should only stay together for as long as they are passionate. Reinforced by end stopped line.
Internal rhyme links sense of concentric rings. Another powerful command. More direct this time reinforced by end stop. Take it. Its platinum loops shrink to a wedding-ring, if you like. 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? Reinforces negativity. Onus is placed on the listener.
Single end stopped line powerful. Implied meaning is that love can be lethal . Love clings on. Scent could refer to bodily scent being strong and physical. Scents linger possibly, for longer than the relationship. Lethal. Its scent will cling to your fingers, cling to your knife. Ambiguous ending implies threat. Kitchen knife may become weapon for a jealous lover.
Themes Relationships should be honest Relationships are emotionally complex. Love Violence/Ending Powerful speaker
Tone Unconventional Disapproving Tender Passionate Angry/ negative
Rhythm Natural feeling with the enjambment and simple conversational words. Poem feels like lover s speech naturally addresses the listener.
Extended metaphor I give you an onion. (metaphor) It is a moon wrapped in brown paper. (extended) It will blind you with tears (extended) Its fierce kiss will stay on your lips, (extended) Its scent will cling to your fingers, (extended)
Question 1 a Dismissing traditionally romantic gifts Refusing to conform Rejecting traditions Unconventional
Question 1b Continues unconventional attitude through stating I give you an onion as this is an unexpected gift and not usually viewed a representative of passion
Question 2 Similar to a moon which is associated with romance and also heavily linked to emotions and human behaviour Wrapped up like a traditional present It promise light and offers the bright and attractive interior Also peeling back the layers is similar to undressing a lover
Question 3 It promises light
Question 4 a Simile It will blind you with tears like a lover
Question 4b Acknowledges the negative side of love Believes that a lover will always have the power to reduce you to tears Believes that you are blinded by love and do not always see the negatives until looking back with hindsight.
Question 5 Highlights that the gift is an onion Reminds the reader that this is a symbol of the speaker s love Central idea to the poem
Question 6a Scent of the onion lingering is symbolic of the emotional attachment between people. While a relationship ends the emotions that previously existed continue The memory of kissing a lover does not fade and even when they are not kissing you the feelings that they have left behind are imprinted of your memory. Also it could be viewed as a lover leaving their mark to identify their partner as belonging to them and no longer available. As some relationships can feel possessive and restrictive.
Question 6b Acknowledges the positives and negative of love Hints that trust, honesty and fidelity are issues in relationships Highlights that relationships are temporary and will come to an end but feelings remain after the relationship alongside memories.
Question 7 Abrupt Forceful Identifying the negative and restrictive aspects of love following the traditional conventions. Marriage is not always romantic
Question 8 Lethal and if you like both highlight the negative effect marriage can have on a relationship. Lethal makes it appear that marriage can be fatal for love and stifle the romance previously held.
Question 9 a and b Through incorporating the image of a knife the speaker creates an ominous tone. Cutting off/Ending/Finality/Violence Ambiguous as to whether the speaker is suggesting that a relationship would end with a violent death or if it is just creating a link between the cold metal of the knife and that of a wedding ring and the destructive power that both can have in altering a relationship.
What you can see? Describe the photograph in a paragraph. How do you feel when you look at the photograph?
What you can see? Describe the photograph in a paragraph. How do you feel when you look at the photograph?
What you can see? Describe the photograph in a paragraph. How do you feel when you look at the photograph? https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSiqJrf6u2EcKtf3bHTYXpWQcoWrXnTeGLTaiNkEDo32tiAqikwzw
What you can see? Describe the photograph in a paragraph. How do you feel when you look at the photograph?
Discuss in your groups 1. Is it morally right to be paid to take photographs of war and suffering? 2. Why is it important that such photographs exist? 3. In what circumstances should a photographer be condemned for taking photographs? 4. What kind of person do you believe would make a good war photographer? What qualities and attributes must they have? 5. How do you think the experiences of a war photographer shape the person that they are?
War Photographer Duffy was inspired to write this poem by her friendship with a war photographer. She was especially intrigued by the peculiar challenge faced by these people whose job requires them to record terrible, horrific events without being able to directly help their subjects. Duffy perhaps shares an affinity with these photo journalists - while they use the medium of photography to convey certain truths about the human condition, she uses words and language to do the same job. Duffy provokes us to consider our own response when confronted with the photographs that we regularly see in our newspaper supplements, and why so many of us have become desensitised to these images. By viewing this issue from the perspective of the photographer, she also reveals the difficulties of such an occupation. By the end of the poem, it is clear her subject straddles two vastly different worlds yet increasingly feels he belongs to neither.
War Photographer Themes The poem focuses on two main themes: the horror of war our increasing indifference to the victims of conflict These themes are revealed not only through Duffy s word choice and imagery, but also through the central paradox that while the imagery of war is more widespread than any other time in history, its impact upon those of us exposed to it is rapidly declining. The horror of war Duffy s skilful yet understated imagery helps to convey the terrible personal stories that lie behind every conflict. Perhaps almost in an attempt to counter the graphic imagery that we have become so used to seeing, her depictions are subtle and understated and she often leaves the reader to compose their own images. Our increasing indifference to the victims of conflict Throughout the poem, Duffy conveys the increasing separateness and isolation the photographer feels both towards his own country and the newspaper he works for. Unlike us and his editor, he is unable to protect himself from the horror of the subjects he photographs and there is a sense of growing bitterness as he continues to feed the voracious need for news in the knowledge that we are increasingly unmoved and unaffected by the images.
Questions What did you think the poem was about? Note down your ideas. Who would be the intended audience? What is the purpose of the poem? Do you think that you understood the poem? Write down anything that you were unsure of. What did you like or dislike about the poem? Discuss with your group and start to make notes on your poem.
