Analyzing Poetry: Carol Ann Duffy's "Valentine"

Introduction

• Exploration of literary techniques in poetry to understand themes
• Carol Ann Duffy's poem "Valentine" covers themes of love, relationships, conflict, and isolation

Title and Initial Imagery

• "Valentine" suggests traditional romantic connotations
• Opening Line/Stanza: "Not a red rose or a satin heart"
  • Duffy rejects stereotypical Valentine's gifts
  • Reiterated later: "not a cute card or a kissogram"

Alternative Gift: The Onion

• Proposal: "I give you an onion"
  • An unconventional, mundane gift
  • Serves as a metaphor throughout the poem

Positive Aspects of Love/Onion

• Imagery: "It is a moon wrapped in brown paper"
  • Onion compared to moon, invoking romantic imagery
  • Simile: "like the careful undressing of love"
    • Peeling layers as a metaphor for deepening relationships

Negative Aspects of Relationships

• Second Stanza: "It will blind you with tears like a lover"
  • Simile: Onion tears equated to emotional pain in relationships
  • Strong word choice: "grief"
    • Negative, intense emotion

Earnest & Blunt Truths

• Tone: "I am trying to be truthful"
  • Alliteration emphasizes sincerity
  • Rejection of stereotypical romantic notions

Sustained Metaphor of Onion

• Connotations: "It's fierce kiss will stay on your lips"
  • Possessive vs. Faithful
    • Duality of relationships: good and bad aspects
• Uncertainty: "for as long as we are"
  • Suggests impermanence

Final Imagery and Tone

• Imperative Tone: Urges lover to accept the onion
• Metaphor: "Platinum loops shrink to a wedding ring"
  • Layers of onion lead to marriage; suggests restriction
• Single Word Sentence: "Lethal"
  • Implies relationships can become harmful

Conclusion

• Imagery: "Its scent will cling to your fingers, cling to your knife"
  • Final word "knife" suggests danger in relationships

Form and Tone

• Free Verse: Symbolizes change and uncertainty
• Monosyllabic Words: Blunt, honest tone
• Sinister Undertones: Especially near the poem's end

Summary

• Short poem with extensive metaphorical use of an onion
• Explores complex, dual nature of romantic relationships

Note: The analysis provides insights into how Duffy uses everyday imagery and metaphors to discuss deeper themes of love and relationships, rejecting traditional romantic symbols in favor of more complex, honest depictions.