‘Valentine’
by
Carol Ann Duffy
Pupil Unit
Includes Formative Assessment Strategies
Critical Essay: Poetry
‘Valentine’
by
Carol Anne Duffy
By the end of this Unit you will be able to write Critical Essays on the poem ‘Valentine’.
You will be able to write relevantly about the central concern(s)/theme(s) of the poem
and be able to support your views by reference to appropriate poetic techniques.
You will learn about/revise the following techniques:
 Imagery
 Tone
 Word Choice
 Structure
 Symbolism
Selected Poems for Higher English
‘Valentine’ by Carol Ann Duffy
2
You will be able to adapt your knowledge of the central concerns/themes of the poem
and the techniques used to answer questions which ask you to choose a poem…
‘…which you feel is particularly relevant to a teenage audience.’
‘… in which … a seemingly unimportant incident acquires increased
significance by the end of the poem.’
‘… in which you feel there is a significant moment which reveals the
central idea of the poem.’
‘… which creates a sense of menace.’
‘… on the subject of love.’
‘… in which there is a noticeable change of mood at one or more
than one point in the poem.’
Activities in this unit are designed to be performed in classroom conditions
involving discussion, peer assessment and written assignment. The teacher
will facilitate the lessons and discussions giving appropriate advice and
modelling when appropriate.
Selected Poems for Higher English
‘Valentine’ by Carol Ann Duffy
3
‘Valentine’
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.
Selected Poems for Higher English
‘Valentine’ by Carol Ann Duffy
4
‘Valentine’
The poem is
not about an
onion.
You have 2 minutes
to discuss with a
partner what the
poem is about!
Selected Poems for Higher English
‘Valentine’ by Carol Ann Duffy
5
Focus of Close Analysis
‘the positive aspects of love
conveyed in the poem and how
Duffy has conveyed her speaker’s
positive attitude through imagery,
word choice and symbolism.’
Selected Poems for Higher English
‘Valentine’ by Carol Ann Duffy
6
Pupil
‘Valentine’ by Carol Ann Duffy
The task we are going to concentrate on as we examine Duffy’s poem
is:
Choose a poem on the subject of love.
Show how the poet treats the subject, and explain to what extent
you find the treatment convincing.
(Higher English 2001)
First we are going to examine the positive aspects of love conveyed in the
poem and how Duffy has conveyed her speaker’s positive attitude through
imagery, word choice and symbolism
 Duffy uses the extended metaphor of an onion to show her speaker’s
positive attitude to love.
 Working with a partner, complete the table below.
 Model your responses on the two that have been done for you.
Context/
Understanding
Evidence/Quote
The title of the
poem suggests that
it will deal with
fairly conventional
notions of love.
‘Valentine’
Yet unconventional
gift offered - an
onion.
‘It is a moon wrapped in
brown paper.’
Positive aspect of
love - optimism at
the beginning of a
relationship
‘promises/light’
The longer a
relationship lasts it
will become more
‘Its platinum loops shrink
to a wedding-ring,’
Analysis/
Evaluation/
Personal Response
Connotations of
hearts/flowers/romance – we
all like the idea that someone
loves us and cares enough to
show it through giving us
gifts
Excellent metaphor -moon is
a conventional symbol of
love – suggests romance;
‘brown paper’ – no fancy
wrappings to disguise the
object – truth/honesty. This
is very believable.
Hint Comment on the word
choice of ‘’promises?
Is this ‘convincing’?
Selected Poems for Higher English
‘Valentine’ by Carol Ann Duffy
Hint
What does Duffy’s persona
suggest about the
7
serious and may
lead to marriage –
a commitment
which is not to be
made lightly.
Positive aspect of
love - optimism at
the beginning of a
relationship – love
has many layers.
Strength and power
of the relationship.
relationship in this
metaphor?
Is this ‘convincing’?
‘It promises light
like the careful undressing
of love.’
‘…faithful,
as we are,
Selected Poems for Higher English
‘Valentine’ by Carol Ann Duffy
Hint
Hint
8
Mini Essay
Your teacher will model how you should use the information from one of the rows of the
table to suit a “line of thought” and how you should link the information ensuring that
whenever a statement is made there should be analytical and evaluative comment made
Mini-essay Task
Show how the poet reveals the positive aspects of the
speaker’s attitude to love and explain to what extent you find
the treatment convincing.
The following can be done in pairs, each pair taking one or two rows from the table:




Write your paragraphs and swap with another pair or group.
The other group should consider whether anything else can be added.
Use your notes from the template to help you.
Your mini-essay should show understanding (context), reference to the text
(quote) and evaluative response (analysis and personal comment).
Examine the model below to see how you can structure and link your ideas in
your response to the task above:Context/
Understanding
Evidence/Quote
Analysis/Evaluation/
Personal Response
Context/
Understanding
Evidence/Quote
Analysis/Evaluation/
Personal Response
The title of the poem suggests that it will deal with fairly
conventional ideas of love:
‘Valentine’
In this word there are connotations of romance. We all like the
idea that someone loves us and cares enough to show it
through giving us gifts like flowers and chocolates.
Yet Duffy’s speaker offers an unconventional symbol of their love
to their partner. The gift of an onion is presented by the persona
as a positive expression of their feelings for their partner:
‘It is a moon wrapped in brown paper.’
The moon is a conventional symbol of love and this metaphor
suggests romance, tenderness and sensitivity. The ‘brown
paper’ – the skin of the onion – shows that there are no fancy
wrappings to disguise the object implying that the relationship
will be based on truth and honesty. This is very believable as we
would all like to think that our partners will not only treat us
sensitively and tenderly and keep the romance alive in our
relationship but also that they will have no secrets from us.
Selected Poems for Higher English
‘Valentine’ by Carol Ann Duffy
9
Peer Assessment
How did you get on? Working with a partner, use the checklist below to assess whether
or not you have included all necessary information in your mini-essay.
If you have used all the information from your table and the model which your teacher
provided, you should have very little to improve in your mini-essay.
Context/
Understanding
Evidence/Quote
Analysis Evaluation PR
‘line
of
thought’
‘Valentine’
‘It is a moon wrapped in
brown paper.’
‘Its platinum loops shrink
to a wedding-ring,’
‘promises/light’
‘faithful,’
Technical Accuracy
Topic Sentence
Full stops/capital letters used properly
Varied sentence structure
Quotes set out properly
Spelling correct
Linkage used eg In
addition/furthermore/moreover/yet etc
Complete the sentence…
‘I need to improve…
Identify 2 areas
where you have
done well and write
them in the stars.
Selected Poems for Higher English
‘Valentine’ by Carol Ann Duffy
10
Focus of Close Analysis
‘The negative aspects of love
conveyed in the poem and how
Duffy has conveyed, through
imagery, word choice and tone, that
her speaker/persona becomes
increasingly frustrated by their
lover’s rejection of the gift of the
onion and eventually adopts a
threatening attitude.’
Selected Poems for Higher English
‘Valentine’ by Carol Ann Duffy
11
Pupil
‘Valentine’ by Carol Ann Duffy
The task we are going to concentrate on as we examine Duffy’s poem is:
Choose a poem on the subject of love.
Show how the poet treats the subject, and explain to what extent
you find the treatment convincing.
(Higher English 2001)
In this section, we are going to examine ‘the negative aspects of
love conveyed in the poem and how Duffy has conveyed, through
imagery, word choice and tone, that her speaker becomes
increasingly frustrated by their lover’s rejection of the gift and
eventually adopts a threatening attitude.’
Negative aspects of relationships conveyed in the poem

Duffy uses the extended metaphor of an onion to show her speaker’s
increasing frustration that the gift of an onion has been rejected.
Eventually, the speaker adopts a threatening attitude as their lover refuses
to accept the gift.
 Working with a partner, complete the table below.

Model your responses on the two that have been done for you.
Context/
Understanding
Evidence/Quote
The onion represents a
relationship which may
ocasionally cause you pain.
‘It will blind you with tears
like a lover.’
The onion is like a mirror –
but the image may be
distorted..
‘It will make your reflection
a wobbling photo of grief.’
Selected Poems for Higher English
‘Valentine’ by Carol Ann Duffy
Analysis/
Evaluation/
Personal Response
Simile – truth/honesty –
suggests love can cause
distress; Word choice
suggests pain and grief.
Believable – in relationships,
one partner can often be
cruel/ hurtful.
Extended metaphor –
‘wobbling photo of grief’ –
pain/tears/ distress can be
caused by relationships/
truth/honesty; word choice
suggests pain and
heartache. I am certain that
this is the case –
relationships are not always
completely agreeable.
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Powerful love is very difficult
to forget as is a
brutal/violent relationship.
Strength and power of the
relationship – a change in
the relationship.
The longer a relationship
lasts it will become more
serious and may lead to
marriage – which may
become a restrictive
relationship.
Intense relationship may lead
to violence.
Powerful love is very difficult
to forget and may lead you
into dangerous situations
where the final outcome may
be brutal/violent.
‘fierce kiss will stay on your
lips,’
Hint
‘possessive and faithful,’
Hint
‘Its platinum loops shrink to
a wedding-ring,’
Hint
‘Lethal.’
Hint
‘Its scent will cling to your
fingers,
cling to your knife.’
Hint
Selected Poems for Higher English
‘Valentine’ by Carol Ann Duffy
13
Mini-Essay
Your teacher will model how you should use the information from one of the rows of the
table to suit a “line of thought” and how you should link the information ensuring that
whenever a statement is made there should be analytical and evaluative comment made.
Mini-essay Task
Show how the poet reveals the speaker’s increasing
frustration and the effect this has on his comments about
(and attitude to) love and explain to what extent you find the
treatment convincing.
The following can be done in pairs, each pair taking one or two rows from the table:




Write your paragraphs and swap with another pair or group.
The other group should consider whether anything else can be added.
Use your notes from the template to help you.
Your mini-essay should show understanding (context), reference to the text
(quote) and evaluative response (analysis and personal comment).
Examine the model below to see how you can structure and link your ideas in
your response to the task above:Context/
Understanding
Evidence/Quote
Analysis/Evaluation/
Personal Response
The onion represents a relationship which may ocasionally cause
pain:
‘It will blind you with tears
like a lover.’
The speaker’s desire to be truthful and honest is shown by the
use of the simile which implies that love can cause distress.
Similarly, the word choice used to show that an onion will make
you cry suggests that love will cause you pain and grief. At this
point, I feel that the speaker is not actually trying to offend
their partner but simply ensuring that their partner understands
what the onion represents. There is no malice in this statement
as the speaker only wants to make sure that their partner does
not misunderstand the message contained in the gift of an
onion. This is entirely believable as in relationships one partner
can often be cruel or hurtful, even without intending to upset
the other person.
Selected Poems for Higher English
‘Valentine’ by Carol Ann Duffy
14
Peer Assessment
How did you get on? Working with a partner, use the checklist below to assess whether
or not you have included all necessary information in your mini-essay.
If you have used all the information from your table and the model which your teacher
provided, you should have very little to improve in your mini-essay.
Context/
Understanding
Evidence/Quote
‘It will blind you with
tears
like a lover.’
‘It will make your
reflection
a wobbling photo of
grief.’
‘fierce kiss will stay on
your lips,’
‘possessive and faithful,’
Analysis Evaluation PR
‘line
of
thought’
‘Its platinum loops shrink
to a wedding-ring,’
‘Lethal.’
‘Its scent will cling to
your fingers,
cling to your knife.’
Technical Accuracy
Topic Sentence
Full stops/capital letters used properly
Varied sentence structure
Quotes set out properly
Spelling correct
Linkage used eg In
addition/furthermore/moreover/yet etc
Identify 2 areas
where you have
done well and write
them in the stars.
Selected Poems for Higher English
‘Valentine’ by Carol Ann Duffy
Complete the sentence…
‘I need to improve…
15
Focus of Close Analysis
‘How Duffy has conveyed, through
structure, that her speaker/persona
who offers the gift of an onion as a
representation of their love for their
partner, becomes increasingly
frustrated by their lover’s rejection
of the gift and eventually adopts a
threatening attitude.’
Selected Poems for Higher English
‘Valentine’ by Carol Ann Duffy
16
Pupil
‘Valentine’ by Carol Ann Duffy
The task we are going to concentrate on as we examine Duffy’s poem is:
Choose a poem on the subject of love.
Show how the poet treats the subject, and explain to what extent
you find the treatment convincing.
(Higher English 2001)
In this section, we are going to examine ‘How Duffy has conveyed, through
structure, that her speaker/persona who offers the gift of an onion as a
representation of their love for their partner, becomes increasingly frustrated
by their lover’s rejection of the gift and eventually adopts a threatening
attitude.’
Structure

Duffy uses structure to show that her speaker/persona who offers the gift
of an onion as a representation of their love for their partner, becomes
increasingly frustrated by their lover’s rejection of the gift and eventually
adopts a threatening attitude.’
 Duffy has used FREE VERSE in this poem – there is no obvious rhyme
scheme or rhythm.
 The poem shows one side of a conversation.
 Working with a partner, complete the table below.

Model your responses on the two that have been done for you.
Context/
Understanding
Evidence/Quote
Central idea of the poem is
the central line
‘I am trying to be truthful.’
Selected Poems for Higher English
‘Valentine’ by Carol Ann Duffy
Analysis/
Evaluation/
Personal Response
Central line – very direct
statement; attitude of
speaker before this line is
mainly positive/gentle;
after, more brutal,
threatening. Very personal
– note use of first person
‘I’.
17
Speaker immediately
dismisses conventional
symbols of love and repeats
this later in poem
‘Not a red rose or a satin
heart.’
‘Not a cute card or a
kissogram.’
First line – verbless
sentence – direct statement
– dismisses coventional
symbols of love; note that
the word ‘not’ starts each
sentence so that there can
be no doubt that the
persona does not wish to
show their feelings through
overly sentimental
conventional symbols.
Repetition of similarly
structured line reinforces
speaker’s sincerity/desire to
be truthful/candid. Entirely
convincing – Valentines –
materialistic/superficial –
many people look for a
different way to express
devotion and the persona
has done exactly that.
Speaker is insisting that lover ‘Here.’
will accept gift of an onion.
‘Take it.’
the speaker is almost
challenging the person she is
talking to,
keeping the emotion
controlled yet strongly
connected with love:
Hint
The speaker, overwhelmed
by the rejection of the gift,
resorts to threatening,
almost violent language
Powerful love is very difficult
to forget and may lead you
into dangerous situations
where the final outcome may
be brutal/ violent.
Hint
‘Lethal.’
‘Its scent will cling to your
fingers,
cling to your knife.’
Selected Poems for Higher English
‘Valentine’ by Carol Ann Duffy
Hint
18
Mini-Essay
Your teacher will model how you should use the information from one of the rows of the
table to suit a “line of thought” and how you should link the information ensuring that
whenever a statement is made there should be analytical and evaluative comment made.
Mini-essay Task
How does Duffy convey through structure the speaker’s change in
mood/attitude? Explain to what extent you find the treatment convincing.
The following can be done in pairs, each pair taking one or two rows from the table:




Write your paragraphs and swap with another pair or group.
The other group should consider whether anything else can be added.
Use your notes from the template to help you.
Your mini-essay should show understanding (context), reference to the text
(quote) and evaluative response (analysis and personal comment).
Examine the model below to see how you can structure and link your ideas in
your response to the task above:-
Context/
Understanding
Evidence/Quote
Analysis/Evaluation/
Personal Response
Duffy has chosen to place the central idea of the poem right in
the middle of it. The speaker has dismissed conventional
symbols of love in an effort to show their partner just how much
love they feel for them. The speaker is very open and frank –
they simply want to show their partner that there is no
dishonesty in their feelings:
‘I am trying to be truthful.’
This line is a very direct statement – a simple sentence. Before
this line the persona has spoken of their love in mainly gentle
terms which shows the sincerity of their feelings. Yet, after this
line, despite the sincerity of the sentiments previously
expressed, the language of the speaker becomes more brutal,
more threatening thus reinforcing the speaker’s truthfulness and
integrity. By the use of the first person, Duffy conveys that the
speaker feels very strongly that they want honesty in their
relationship.
Selected Poems for Higher English
‘Valentine’ by Carol Ann Duffy
19
Peer Assessment
How did you get on? Working with a partner, use the checklist below to assess whether
or not you have included all necessary information in your mini-essay.
If you have used all the information from your table and the model which your teacher
provided, you should have very little to improve in your mini-essay.
Context/
Understanding
Evidence/Quote
‘I am trying to be
truthful.’
‘Not a red rose or a satin
heart.’
‘Not a cute card or a
kissogram.’
‘Here.’
‘Take it.’
‘Lethal.’
Analysis Evaluation PR
‘line
of
thought’
‘Its scent will cling to
your fingers,
cling to your knife.’
Technical Accuracy
Topic Sentence
Full stops/capital letters used properly
Varied sentence structure
Quotes set out properly
Spelling correct
Linkage used eg In
addition/furthermore/moreover/yet etc
Identify 2 areas
where you have
done well and write
them in the stars.
Selected Poems for Higher English
‘Valentine’ by Carol Ann Duffy
Complete the sentence…
‘I need to improve…
20