How does Carol Ann Duffy use imagery within Valentine?

Carol Ann Duffy explores the concept of love through unusual comparisons and imagery. In ‘Valentine’, Duffy chooses to challenge the conventional symbols of love, namely the ‘red rose’ and the ‘satin heart’. This rejection of classic love tokens is indicated through the negative ‘not’ in the first stanza.

How does Carol Ann Duffy use metaphor in her poem Valentine?

In Carol Ann Duffy’s poem ‘Valentine,’ she regularly uses metaphor to demonstrate the ways in which an onion can represent the romance of a relationship. In the second line of the first stanza, she describes an onion as a ”moon wrapped in brown paper.

How does Carol Ann Duffy portray love in Valentine?

Similarly, in “Valentine”, Duffy suggests that true love is perpetual, through the use of “an onion” as a symbol of love. She uses “an onion” to show her lover that her love is more original, honest and true. She says, “Its fierce kiss will stay on your lips,” The “fierce kiss” could be a metaphor for love.

Why does Duffy describe the onion as a moon wrapped in brown paper?

The gift, the metaphorical onion, is described as a moon wrapped in brown paper. The “brown paper” refers both to the texture and colour of the outer layer of the onion as well as reminding us that real romantic gifts do not need to be embellished or concealed within expensive wrapping.

What is the literal meaning of the poem Valentine?

Valentine is from a collection of poems entitled Mean Time (1993), and expresses love and affection in the form of a conceit whereby the symbol of love being offered by the speaker is an unconventional onion.

Why did Duffy choose an onion?

Duffy wants the receiver of her onion to know that she has chosen it because she feels that it is the best and most genuine declaration of her love. Duffy rejects the traditional symbols of love because she feels that they have become meaningless.

What does the onion symbolize in Carol Ann Duffy’s poem Valentine?

The most obvious symbol in the poem, of course, is the onion that the speaker gives to their lover in place of more expected valentines, such as roses or a “kissogram.” The onion in the poem symbolizes the true nature of love—that is, it is meant to represent love as it really is, rather than some overly romanticized …

What does a wobbling photo of grief mean?

In this way, the speaker reminds us that the onion, just like a lover, can elicit pain and distress as well as love and passion. An additional warning in the form of an extended metaphor follows with the words It will make your reflection a wobbling photo of grief.

What does Moon wrapped mean?

It is a moon wrapped in brown paper. It promises light like the careful undressing of love. ‘Moon’suggests romance – it is supposed to govern women’s passions. The outer skin is like wrapping paper on a present.

What type of poem is Valentine?

free verse
The poem is written in free verse using irregular stanzas to support its content and purpose, which is to reject traditional restrictive conventions such as marriage and other notions of love and to warn lovers that being overly possessive can have undesirable consequences.

What is the message of the poem Valentine?

‘Valentine’ by Carol Ann Duffy contains several important themes. In the poem, there are the themes of love, convention, individualism, and vanity of materialism. As the title of the poem says, it is a pure love poem but unique for the poet’s unique expression. The poet metaphorically compares her love to an onion.

What does its platinum loops shrink to a wedding ring?

‘Its platinum loops shrink to a wedding-ring if you like. ‘ ‘Lethal Its scent will cling to your fingers, Cling to your knife. ‘

When did John Duffy write the poem Valentine?

Like much of Duffy’s work, this poem employs plain, straightforward language and uses the dramatic monologue mode to amplify a perspective that is usually sidelined from mainstream discourse. “Valentine” was first published in Duffy’s 1993 poetry collection, Mean Time.

Who is the author of the poem Valentine?

“Valentine” is a free verse dramatic monologue written by Scottish poet, author, and playwright Carol Ann Duffy. The speaker presents their lover with a valentine in the form of an onion, then explains the reasoning behind this unusual gift.

What are the apostrophes in the poem Valentine?

Lines 7-8: “It will blind you with tears / like a lover.” Lines 9-10: “It will make your reflection / a wobbling photo of grief.” Lines 19-20: “Its platinum loops shrink to a wedding ring, / if you like.” Unlock all 464 words of this analysis of Apostrophe in “Valentine,” and get the poetic device analyses for every poem we cover.

What happens in line six of the poem Valentine?

Moreover, line six allows the reader to picture the speaker handing the onion to her lover. It appears that the one to whom she speaks is unwilling to accept the gift. Thus, the speaker says, “here” and tries once again to give the onion as a gift. She then goes on to explain, “It will blind you with tears”.