Analysis of Carol Ann Duffy's Poem "Valentine" and its Themes
I am a “moon wrapped in brown paper.”
I will “blind you with tears”.
I will “make your reflection
a wobbling photo of grief.”
I have “platinum loops”.
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 do these objects make you think of?
What about this?
Do they have anything in common?
Valentine
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/english_literature/poetry_wjec/treatmentofwomen/valentine/video/
Not a red rose or a satin heart.
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.
I am trying to be truthful.
Not a cute card or a kissogram.
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.
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.
Can you highlight the words which explain
Can you highlight the words which explain
how the onion is like love?
how the onion is like love?
Valentine
Not a red rose or a satin heart.
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.
I am trying to be truthful.
Not a cute card or a kissogram.
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.
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.
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.
Valentine
Not
a red rose or a satin heart.
The title is juxtaposed with the negativity of
the 1st line, which starts with a negative.
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?
I give you an onion.
It is a moon wrapped in brown paper
.
It promises light
like the undressing of love.
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’.
Use of first and second person makes the poem
seem personal. She is talking directly to her
lover: the recipient of the gift
Suggests it’s a gift
‘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.
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)
Tender
Peeling layers of an onion –
represents gradually getting to
know a new lover and also the
literal undressing before
making love
(committed sexual
relationship)
Here.
It will blind you with tears
like a lover.
It will make your reflection
a wobbling photo of grief.
Powerful end stopped short line reinforces sense
of offering, although more like a direct order.
Change to more negative tone.
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)
Love distorts reality.
“grief’ – negative
“wobble’ - total commitment
Are you recognisable to
your old self before love?
Love changes you.
I am
t
rying to be
t
ruthful.
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)
I give you an onion.
It
s
fier
c
e ki
ss
will
s
tay on your lip
s
,
possessive and faithful
as we are,
for as long as we are.
Repetition of line 2 reminds the
reader of this ‘gift’ reaffirms
intention
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.
Take it.
Its plat
in
um loops shr
in
k to a wedd
in
g-r
in
g,
if you like.
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
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.
Internal rhyme links
sense of concentric
rings.
“platinum” – most
precious metal
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
Lethal.
Its scent will
cling
to your fingers,
cling
to your knife.
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?
Cross rhyme connects this repetition.
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?
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.”
W
h
a
t
d
o
e
s
D
u
f
f
y
t
h
i
n
k
i
s
w
r
o
n
g
w
i
t
h
t
h
e
s
e
g
i
f
t
s
?
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…
First person ‘I’
Man or woman?
Free verse-no rhyme or
pattern.
Irregular stanzas, some only
one line.
Form=form of onion and
different layers.
Alliteration
•
Cute card
•
Red rose
Clichéd Valentines
suggests overuse in
other love poems.
Negative start with
‘not’ and rejection of
traditional gifts.
Onion:
extended
metaphor,
unconventional gift.
Moon: romantic
images, promises
light.
Metaphor.
Brown
paper=outer
layer.
and the changing nature
of relationships.
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.
Romantic-negative
love-jealous-violent.
•
‘Platinum’=precious
metal=
ironic
, as onion
is not precious.
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.
Repetition
of ‘not’=same as stanza 1.
Syllables
=9 in both.
Metaphor:
The loops of the onion are
compared to a wedding ring that ‘shrink’
which implies being trapped.
Oxymoron
of ‘fierce
kiss’ suggests the
unnaturalness of the
kiss
.
Link to commitment
•
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.
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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Presentation Transcript
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.
