Valentineby Carol Ann Duffy is a powerful poem that... Show more
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
1,808
•
6 Jan 2023
•
Valentine by Carol Ann Duffy - Poem Analysis, Theme, and Structure
Alex
@alexstudy
Valentine by Carol Ann Duffy: A Deep Dive
Valentine by Carol Ann Duffy is a thought-provoking poem that challenges traditional romantic notions. The poet uses the unconventional metaphor of an onion to represent love, creating a stark contrast with typical Valentine's Day gifts.
Quote: "Not a red rose or a satin heart. / I give you an onion."
This opening sets the tone for the entire poem, immediately subverting expectations and introducing the central metaphor. The onion serves as a complex symbol throughout the piece, representing various aspects of love and relationships.
Highlight: The extended metaphor of the onion is used to explore the multifaceted nature of love, including its potential for both joy and pain.
The poem's structure mirrors the progression of a relationship, with each stanza revealing a new layer of meaning. Duffy employs a mix of short and long sentences to create rhythm and emphasis.
Example: The short sentence "Here." stands alone, creating a pause and drawing attention to the act of offering the onion/love.
Duffy's choice of language is particularly striking, using words with strong connotations to convey the intensity and complexity of love.
Vocabulary: "Fierce kiss" - This phrase suggests the passionate and potentially overwhelming nature of love.
The poem touches on various aspects of relationships, from the initial excitement to the potential for grief and possessiveness.
Quote: "It will blind you with tears / like a lover."
This line acknowledges that love can bring both joy and pain, a theme that runs throughout the poem.
The structure of Valentine by Carol Ann Duffy is significant, with each stanza revealing a new aspect of the onion metaphor and, by extension, love itself. The poem progresses from the initial offering of the onion through various stages of a relationship, culminating in a somewhat ominous final image.
Highlight: The final lines, "Its scent will cling to your fingers, / cling to your knife," suggest the lasting impact of love and its potential for both intimacy and harm.
Themes of Valentine by Carol Ann Duffy include the complexity of love, the importance of honesty in relationships, and the potential for both positive and negative experiences within love. The poem challenges readers to consider a more realistic and nuanced view of romantic relationships.
Definition: Extended metaphor - A metaphor that is sustained throughout a piece of writing, used here to compare love to an onion.
When was Valentine by Carol Ann Duffy written? While the exact date is not provided in the transcript, the poem was published in Duffy's 1993 collection "Mean Time."
In conclusion, "Valentine" offers a unique and thought-provoking perspective on love, using the humble onion to explore the depths and complexities of romantic relationships. Duffy's skillful use of language, structure, and imagery creates a memorable and impactful poem that challenges readers to reconsider their understanding of love.
Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.
Students love us — and so will you.
4.9/5
App Store
4.8/5
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
Valentine by Carol Ann Duffy - Poem Analysis, Theme, and Structure
Alex
@alexstudy
Valentine by Carol Ann Duffy is a powerful poem that challenges conventional notions of love and romance. Through the extended metaphor of an onion, Duffy explores the complex, multifaceted nature of love and relationships.
- The poem uses vivid imagery and... Show more
Valentine by Carol Ann Duffy: A Deep Dive
Valentine by Carol Ann Duffy is a thought-provoking poem that challenges traditional romantic notions. The poet uses the unconventional metaphor of an onion to represent love, creating a stark contrast with typical Valentine's Day gifts.
Quote: "Not a red rose or a satin heart. / I give you an onion."
This opening sets the tone for the entire poem, immediately subverting expectations and introducing the central metaphor. The onion serves as a complex symbol throughout the piece, representing various aspects of love and relationships.
Highlight: The extended metaphor of the onion is used to explore the multifaceted nature of love, including its potential for both joy and pain.
The poem's structure mirrors the progression of a relationship, with each stanza revealing a new layer of meaning. Duffy employs a mix of short and long sentences to create rhythm and emphasis.
Example: The short sentence "Here." stands alone, creating a pause and drawing attention to the act of offering the onion/love.
Duffy's choice of language is particularly striking, using words with strong connotations to convey the intensity and complexity of love.
Vocabulary: "Fierce kiss" - This phrase suggests the passionate and potentially overwhelming nature of love.
The poem touches on various aspects of relationships, from the initial excitement to the potential for grief and possessiveness.
Quote: "It will blind you with tears / like a lover."
This line acknowledges that love can bring both joy and pain, a theme that runs throughout the poem.
The structure of Valentine by Carol Ann Duffy is significant, with each stanza revealing a new aspect of the onion metaphor and, by extension, love itself. The poem progresses from the initial offering of the onion through various stages of a relationship, culminating in a somewhat ominous final image.
Highlight: The final lines, "Its scent will cling to your fingers, / cling to your knife," suggest the lasting impact of love and its potential for both intimacy and harm.
Themes of Valentine by Carol Ann Duffy include the complexity of love, the importance of honesty in relationships, and the potential for both positive and negative experiences within love. The poem challenges readers to consider a more realistic and nuanced view of romantic relationships.
Definition: Extended metaphor - A metaphor that is sustained throughout a piece of writing, used here to compare love to an onion.
When was Valentine by Carol Ann Duffy written? While the exact date is not provided in the transcript, the poem was published in Duffy's 1993 collection "Mean Time."
In conclusion, "Valentine" offers a unique and thought-provoking perspective on love, using the humble onion to explore the depths and complexities of romantic relationships. Duffy's skillful use of language, structure, and imagery creates a memorable and impactful poem that challenges readers to reconsider their understanding of love.
Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.
Students love us — and so will you.
4.9/5
App Store
4.8/5
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user