What is the message in Valentine by Carol Ann Duffy?
‘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.
How does Carol Ann Duffy portray love in Valentine?
In this intense love poem Duffy rejects traditional symbols of love, such as ‘red roses’ or ‘satin hearts’ in favour of ‘an onion’. By doing this Duffy turns an ordinary object, an ‘onion’ into an unusual symbol of love, and makes it seem a more appropriate symbol than traditional Valentine gifts.
What does the onion represent in Valentine?
The speaker is asserting then that the onion symbolises a positive aspect of love since it represents refreshing honesty and optimism, often experienced at the beginning of a relationship. The line It promises light also indicates that this will be an enriching and fulfilling relationship for both parties.
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.
What could the fierce kiss suggest?
The full stop signifies a pause as the speaker awaits their gift to be received. As the poem continues in the line Its fierce kiss will stay on your lips, the lover is attempting to articulate not only the romantic, positive aspects of love but its more negative, darker associations.
What literary position did Carol Ann Duffy previously hold?
Poet Laureate
Duffy was appointed as Britain’s Poet Laureate on May 1, 2009, becoming both the first woman and the first openly lesbian poet to hold the position in its more than 300 year history.
Is being someone’s Valentine dating?
When someone says that you are their “valentine,” they are simply choosing you as the person that they would like to show fondness to on that special day. When people are married or dating, it is assumed that they are automatically the other person’s valentine due to the romantic relationship that they hold.
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.
When did the poem Valentine by John Duffy come out?
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. Read the full text of “Valentine”.
How is alliteration used in the poem Valentine?
‘Valentine’ by Carol Ann Duffy contains several literary devices. Likewise, in this first stanza, it is one of only two times in the poem that Duffy uses alliteration. This device symbolizes the “cuteness” associated with these items traditionally used as valentines’ gifts. “Cute card” is the second example of alliteration in ‘Valentine’.
What kind of imagery is used in Valentine?
The poet makes use of some important types of imagery in the poem. Likewise, the first line of the poem contains two images, of a red rose and a satin heart. The first image is visual and olfactory imagery. Whereas, the second one is an example of visual and tactile imagery.
