1. Valentine
Carol Ann Duffy

2. About The Poet Duffy was born in the Gorbals in 1955.
“Duffy's work explores both everyday experience and the rich fantasy life of herself and others. In dramatising scenes from childhood, adolescence, and adult life, she discovers moments of consolation through love, memory, and language.” Charlotte Mendelson writes in The Observer:
She is the first woman, Scottish and openly LGBT person to become Britain’s Poet Laureate.

3. What do we associate with Valentine’s Day?
Roses
Chocolates
Dining out
Romance
Kissing
Teddy bears
Cards
Long walks
14th of February
Love
Perfume
Wine
Cuddling

4. Just Imagine. . . Discussion:
It is Valentine’s Day. There is a special someone you would love to get a card or romantic gift from. You wake up, full of anticipation for the most romantic day of the year
What springs to mind when you think of Valentine gifts and cards?
What are you hoping the postman has brought you?
Let’s see what the postman has brought you. . .
Discussion:

5. Here’s your gift. . . Discussion:
Yes, that’s right; your special person has given you an onion!
Discussion:
What is your initial impression of this gift?
Why do you think they might have given you it?
While reading the poem, think about the speaker’s reasons for giving an onion as a gift.

6. Some things to think about…
What is being said about love?
What images are there in your section
What do the images convey?
What is the mood/atmosphere in your section? How do you know?
Are there any linguistic devices being used? E.g. metaphors/similes
What about structure? What does this add to the overall meaning of the poem?
7. And rhythm? There are lots of full stops, why?
8. What type of language is used? Positive? Negative? Both? Give examples and say why it is used.

7. Valentine By Carol Ann Duffy
Not a red rose or a satin heart. I give you an onion. It is a moon wrapped in brown paper. It promises light like the careful undressing of love. Here. It will blind you with tears like a lover. It will make your reflection 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, possessive and faithful as we are, for as long as we are. Take it. Its platinum loops shrink to a wedding-ring, if you like. Lethal. Its scent will cling to your fingers, cling to your knife.
Valentine
By Carol Ann Duffy

10. The Big Picture Goal by the end of this unit:
We will read the poem ‘Valentine’ by Carol Ann Duffy.
You will study the poem in groups and teach others in the class what you have learned.
We will explore how the poet develops the theme of love using an extended metaphor throughout the poem.
We will also study other poetic techniques such as imagery, word choice and structure.
Goal by the end of this unit:
To improve your critical writing skills
Be able to write an excellent critical essay on ‘Valentine’ including interesting personal response.

11. Valentine Homework Questions
“Not a red rose or satin heart” What are these traditional symbols of? Why does the speaker choose not to give these? =2
Consider the metaphor “it is a moon wrapped in brown paper”
A. Explain your understanding of the idea of the onion as “a moon” =2
B. What is the significance of “brown paper”. =2
“Like the careful undressing of love”. Explain the meaning of this line. =2
What is the effect of the word “Here”? =1
“Blind you with tears like a lover”. In what way is this an effective simile? =2
These can be used as homework.
Contents

12. “I am trying to be truthful”
“I am trying to be truthful”. In what way is the speaker trying to tell the truth? What does this suggest about traditional Valentine’s gifts? =2
What is the effect of this line standing alone? =2
“It’s fierce kiss will stay on your lips”. Why is this line effective? What does this suggest about other Valentine’s gifts? =2
“Platinum loops shrink to a wedding ring” If you think about an onion, what could these words be referring to? What else does this represent? =2
What does the word “Lethal” suggest about love? Why is this word on it’s own? =2
“it’s scent will cling to your fingers” What does the scent of the onion symbolise? What does this suggest about traditional gifts? =2
“Cling to your knife” ends the poem. What does this suggest to you? Is it an effective ending? Why/why not? =3
Explain why you think the extended metaphor of an onion representing love is effective in each verse of the poem. You should comment on each verse separately and you should quote particularly effective words/phrases or lines. = 4 marks
= 30 marks altogether
Contents

13. Answers
1) “Not a red rose or satin heart” What are these traditional symbols of? Why does the speaker choose not to give these?
Love/romance/Valentine gifts (1)
She feels they are clichéd/do not mean anything/do not really represent love (1)
= 2 altogether.

14. Consider the metaphor “it is a moon wrapped in brown paper”
A) Explain your understanding of the idea of the onion as “a moon”
They are both round (1)
and the same colour/bright/light (1)
The moon is appropriate as we associate it with romance (1) Moonlit strolls are romantic (1)
= 2 altogether.
What is the significance of “brown paper”.
It describes the brown ‘cover’/outside of the onion (1).
Similar to a present (1)

15. “like the careful undressing of love” Explain the meaning of this line.
A present/gift can be undressed by taking the paper off (1)
Just like the sensual/physical side of love between two adults (1)
It’s a simile (1)
= 2 altogether

16. What is the effect of the word “Here”?
Draws attention to the gesture/offer/command – she is giving the ‘gift’ to her lover. (1)
= 1 altogether.

17. “Blind you with tears like a lover” In what way is this an effective simile?
“Blind” – can’t see because of tears comment on effectiveness (1)
Love can be painful/hurtful/make you cry + comment on effectiveness (1)
“Blind” – can’t see the truth/reality/the bad things – only the good when in love comment on effectiveness (1)
= 2 altogether.

18. “I am trying to be truthful” In what way is the speaker trying to tell the truth? What does this suggest about traditional Valentine’s gifts?
Truth about what love is really like (1)
that love can cause pain and be difficult (1)
Traditional gifts don’t really represent real love/are meaningless (1)
= 2 altogether

19. What is the effect of this line standing alone?
Draws attention (1)
so truth is clearly important to the poet (1)
= 2 altogether

20. “It’s fierce kiss will stay on your lips” Why is this line effective
“It’s fierce kiss will stay on your lips” Why is this line effective? What does this suggest about other Valentine’s gifts?
“Fierce” = danger/threat/passion (1)
“Stay on your lips” = love can last and the feelings can stay around even after the relationship is finished (like smell of onion) (1)
= 2 altogether

21. “platinum loops shrink to a wedding ring” If you think about an onion, what could these words be referring to? What else does this represent?
Loops of onion get smaller the further in you go (1)
which could suggest that relationships get deeper and deeper and marriage is at the core (1).
OR that “shrink” is negative (1)
suggesting that marriage diminishes/ruins/spoils a relationship (1)
= 2 altogether

22. What does the word “Lethal” suggest about love
What does the word “Lethal” suggest about love? Why is this word on its own?
Lethal = danger/can cause pain/wound you/can kill you (1)
It’s on its own to draw attention to it (1).
= 2 altogether.

23. “it’s scent will cling to your fingers” What does the scent of the onion symbolise? What does this suggest about traditional gifts?
Possessive/jealous feelings/feelings that stay around for a long time/even if you don’t want them to (1).
Traditional gifts don’t last (1).
= 2 altogether

24. “Cling to your knife” ends the poem. What does this suggest to you
“Cling to your knife” ends the poem. What does this suggest to you? Is it an effective ending? Why/why not?
“cling” = Possession/jealous feelings/can’t get rid of (1)
marriage vows lasting (1).
“knife” symbolises danger/hurt/pain /violence/difficult side of relationships (1).
Reasonable personal opinions about effectiveness with reason (1)
= 3 altogether

25. Explain why you think the extended metaphor of an onion representing love is effective in each verse of the poem. You should comment on each verse separately and you should quote particularly effective words/phrases or lines. = 4 marks