‘valentine’ carol ann duffy. ‘valentine’ carol ann duffy ‘not a red rose’ ‘i give you...
TRANSCRIPT
‘‘Valentine’Valentine’
Carol Ann DuffyCarol Ann Duffy
‘‘Valentine’ Carol Ann DuffyValentine’ Carol Ann Duffy
‘‘Not a red rose’Not a red rose’ ‘I give you ‘I give you an onion’an onion’
‘‘Valentine’ Carol Ann DuffyValentine’ Carol Ann Duffy
The poem seems at first to be rather comical: an onion as a Valentine is surely bizarre - how many of you would be happy being presented with this on Valentine’s Day?
However, it is in fact is a very serious analysis of love.
‘‘Valentine’ Carol Ann DuffyValentine’ Carol Ann Duffy
The basics:The basics:The poem is written in the first person “I”The poem is written in the first person “I”This appears to imply that the poet is the speaker This appears to imply that the poet is the speaker but the “I” is universal – could be anyonebut the “I” is universal – could be anyoneShe addresses 2She addresses 2ndnd person “you” person “you”Implies that the speaker is addressing a lover Implies that the speaker is addressing a lover ALSO engages as the reader as it is like the speaker ALSO engages as the reader as it is like the speaker is talking to the readeris talking to the readerThe “I” and “you” in the poem are never given a The “I” and “you” in the poem are never given a specific gender – this poem is truly universal as it specific gender – this poem is truly universal as it can be from any lover to any beloved, regardless of can be from any lover to any beloved, regardless of sexual preferences. sexual preferences.
‘‘Valentine’ Carol Ann DuffyValentine’ Carol Ann Duffy
So, the onion…So, the onion…
The onion is an The onion is an extended metaphorextended metaphor (a comparison that continues through the (a comparison that continues through the lengthlength
of a text)of a text) for love. for love.
Still Still
‘‘Valentine’ Carol Ann DuffyValentine’ Carol Ann Duffy
““Not a red rose or a satin heart.”Not a red rose or a satin heart.”
Duffy immediately rejects the Duffy immediately rejects the traditional Valentine’s Day gifts. Why?traditional Valentine’s Day gifts. Why?
‘‘Valentine’ Carol Ann DuffyValentine’ Carol Ann Duffy
““I give you an onion.”I give you an onion.”
Okaaaay………? Why?Okaaaay………? Why?
‘‘Valentine’ Carol Ann DuffyValentine’ Carol Ann Duffy
““It is a It is a moonmoon wrapped in brown paper” wrapped in brown paper”
In Roman and Greek mythology Diana is the Goddess of the moon. So the moon is often thought of as having a soft, gentle, feminine beauty. Diana and Endymion.
The moon and an onion are both spheres, so this comparison makes sense in terms of shape but is still confusing in terms of romance.
The moon is often associated with romance:e.g. moonlight walks on a beachThe moon is a common feature in romance poetry and songse.g. “Moon River” Andy Williams “Fly Me To The Moon” Frank Sinatra “Can’t Fight The Moonlight” LeAnn Rimes “Dancing In the Moonlight” Toploader “The Same Moon” Phil Collins
‘‘Valentine’ Carol Ann DuffyValentine’ Carol Ann Duffy
In what ways is the onion like In what ways is the onion like the speaker's love?the speaker's love?
OnionOnion LoveLove
It is round like a moon It is round like a moon The moon is The moon is associated with associated with Romance Romance
Its skin is white Its skin is white It promises light - light It promises light - light is associated with is associated with truth, faith, beauty, truth, faith, beauty, innocence, etc innocence, etc
You peel an onion You peel an onion Lovers undress each Lovers undress each other other
‘‘Valentine’ Carol Ann DuffyValentine’ Carol Ann Duffy
““It promises lightIt promises light
like the like the careful undressing of lovecareful undressing of love””
Duffy compares the unwrapping of an onion to lovers undressing each other before making love. “Careful” suggests tenderness.
‘‘Valentine’ Carol Ann DuffyValentine’ Carol Ann Duffy
Do textual analysis questions 1-3Do textual analysis questions 1-3
‘‘Valentine’ Carol Ann DuffyValentine’ Carol Ann Duffy
““It will It will blindblind you with tears you with tears
like a lover.like a lover.
It will make your It will make your reflection reflection
a wobbling photo of grief.”a wobbling photo of grief.”
simile
Duffy seems to address the more negative aspects of being in love: the fact that the end of a relationship is upsetting; and that it is usually the person closest to you who can hurt you the most.
Ambiguous word choice. Cannot see because of tears but also idea that love can blind us to our lover’s flaws.
Because an onion is light coloured and shiny it is, to some extent, reflective. Idea that tears distort an image –perhaps that of the person looking in the mirror
‘‘Valentine’ Carol Ann DuffyValentine’ Carol Ann Duffy
““fierce kiss”fierce kiss”
This metaphor compares the strong flavour of the onion to a passionate kiss. An onion’s flavour stays with us long after we have finished eating it. This metaphor suggests that the kiss will stay with the recipient long after it has ended – almost like a brand.
metaphor
‘‘Valentine’ Carol Ann DuffyValentine’ Carol Ann Duffy
““possessive and faithfulpossessive and faithful
as we are,as we are,
for as long as we arefor as long as we are.”.”
Despite the thought put into the Valentine’s gift, the speaker is pragmatic(realistic) about love – he/she knows it doesn’t last forever.
Not obsessive. Be careful here. Idea of belonging to one another emotionally and sexually.
‘‘Valentine’ Carol Ann DuffyValentine’ Carol Ann Duffy
““Its Its platinumplatinum loops loops shrink to a shrink to a wedding-ringwedding-ring,”,”
Because the onion is pale in colour
Compares the size and shape of the inner layers of the onion to a wedding ring. Suggests that only deep/strong feelings of love should result in a marriage proposal
Traditional Valentine’s Day cards always contained a marriage proposal.
Marriage proposal. Again, rather unusual proposal.
‘‘Valentine’ Carol Ann DuffyValentine’ Carol Ann Duffy
““if you like.”if you like.”
The speaker is given the The speaker is given the choicechoice
‘‘Valentine’ Carol Ann DuffyValentine’ Carol Ann Duffy
“ “ LethalLethal
Its scent will cling to your fingers,Its scent will cling to your fingers,
cling to your knife”cling to your knife”
Odd word choice for a poem romantic poem
There is also a hint of a threat in the suggestion that the onion is lethal, as its scent clings "to your knife". The poet shows how the knife which cuts the onion is marked with its scent, as if ready to punish any betrayal. Suggests that betrayals or negative experiences in love “cling” to us and effect future experiences.
‘‘Valentine’ Carol Ann DuffyValentine’ Carol Ann Duffy
““Here”Here”
““Take it”Take it”
““Lethal”Lethal”
Note the form of this poem: Duffy writes colloquially Note the form of this poem: Duffy writes colloquially (as if speaking) so single words or phrases work as (as if speaking) so single words or phrases work as sentences: "Here...Take it...Lethal". The ends of sentences: "Here...Take it...Lethal". The ends of lines mark pauses, and most of them have a lines mark pauses, and most of them have a punctuation mark to show this. punctuation mark to show this.
SummarySummary
In this intense love poem Duffy rejects traditional symbols of love, such as 'red roses' , 'satin hearts‘ , ‘cute cards’ etc. in favour of 'an onion'.
This suggests Duffy is criticising conventional ideas and empty gestures of love.
She is promising her lover, and the reader, that her love is more original, honest and true.
Duffy shows her wit and poetic cleverness by managing to keep the extended metaphor of the onion being like her love going throughout the poem.
By doing this Duffy turns an ordinary object, an 'onion' into an unusual symbol of love, and makes it seem a more appropriate symbol than traditional Valentine gifts.