Valentine Carol Ann Duffy Imagery The extended metaphor

1
Valentine

• Carol Ann Duffy

2
Imagery

• The extended metaphor the onion is a symbol of
  love.
• The poet appeals to the senses the bitter,
  acrid, long lasting taste of the onion.
• The way the scent of the onion can bring tears to
  the eyes.
• Smell, sight, taste.

3
Comments on Valentines Day?

• The gift is unconventional, a direct contrast to
  the hackneyed gifts of what has become a
  commercial holiday.
• The narrator seems to be against commercial,
  generic gifts which lack character and
  originality/thought behind them.
• Is the onion a protest against V Day?

4
Structure

• The poem is made up of six stanzas.
• The first stanza is made up of three short,
  abrupt sentences before finishing with a longer
  image a simile.
• Use of short, abrupt, blunt sentences to grab the
  readers attention. Also reveals something about
  the narrators attitude?
• Here., Take it. Is this a sign of
  stubborness, disinterest?

5
Narrators Attitude

• Is it a man or a woman? Think of the suggestions
  that are made your interpretation.
• Its emotional passionate (Its fierce kiss,
  possessively faithful)
• Is it romantic or is it spiteful? Is this a
  lovers tiff (argument)?

6
Word Choice

• It promises light optimistic, hopeful
• It will blind you grief, Its fierce kiss,
  Possessive, Lethal, cling. These words are
  quite aggressive, negative connotations think
  about their specific meanings. Control, power
  struggle/issues?
• Is there a sinister undertone? Is this a happy
  relationship? Is there a dominant, controlling
  partner?

7
Imagery

• Personification the onion is brought to life.
  It begins as a seemingly innocent gift one of
  hope promises light, presented in its own
  brown paper.
• It then becomes something (perhaps) more
  sinister. Blind you, fierce kiss. The gift
  has more threatening attributes than first
  imagined.

8
Positive Symbolism

• promises light, there is hope, the bright flesh
  underneath the dark skin could be a suggestion of
  the lovers personality? Beauty not being skin
  deep.
• Onion is layered, many different aspects of love
  friendship, romance, camaraderie, partnership,
  love, marriage, family etc.
• The different layers of a person that you learn
  about.
• Nourishment.
• It has a distinct personality/character leaves
  a strong impression.
• Platinum loops, possibilities, new stages that
  can come from love.

9
Structure/Tone

• The tone changes from one which is fairly
  optimistic and becomes darker as the poem
  progresses.
• The different stanzas of the poem reflect the
  narrators thought processes. He/she seems to
  address the reality of the relationship and its
  negative aspects. A sinister, more hateful tone
  is created as the poem progresses.
• Is the onion being chopped at the end? Is this a
  symbol of the demise of the relationship/love,
  the symbol of the poem?
• Is there a darker outcome?