'Valentine' by Carol Ann Duffy
Points for Discussion
Discuss this the following issues in turn.
1. Decide what the poem is about.
2. What does the onion represent for Duffy?
3. Why is this an unusual Valentine's Day present?
4. Does Duffy see anything wrong with the kind of gifts you would normally
receive on this day?
'Valentine' Imagery Task
1. Write down any lines which show the onion being compared to
something. Remember to use inverted commas to show you are quoting.
2. Draw all the things the onion is being compared to.
3. Explain why each image you have quoted and drawn is effective in
putting across what the onion represents for Carol Anne Duffy.
Structure
Stanza Structure
How many stanzas does the poem have?
What are the single word lines like 'Here', 'Take it' and 'Lethal' effective?
Explain two ways the single line stanzas highlight the message of the poem.
Language Structure
What is special about the placement of the word 'Not' at the start of the one
line stanzas?
Explain why Duffy has chosen not to follow any particular rhyming scheme
or structure in 'Valentine'?
What is it called in poetry when a poem is written in a colloquial way?
Stance: Tone
There are many different tones throughout the poem. Identify where the
reader uses the following tones and note down the line.
Cynical and distrustful tone:
Disapproving tone:
Tender tone:
Direct, blunt and honest tone:
Humorous and weird tone:
Passionate tone:
Cautious tone:
Angry or negative tone:
Bitter tone:
What is the biggest change of tone?
Word Choice
In your group, pick out three clever examples of word choice and explain
why each one is effective in getting across the meaning of the poem.
You might want to use one of these:
'promise'; 'light'; 'undressing'
'fierce'; 'possessive'; 'faithful'
'blind'; 'tears'; 'wobbling photo of grief'
'lethal'; 'cling to your knife'
Word Choice
Taking Alliteration Further...
Remember, vowels are a, e, i, o and u and consonants are any other letter in
the alphabet.
Alliteration
Definition: The repetition of a initial consonant sound.
Example: You'll never put a better bit of butter on your knife.
Assonance
Definition: The repetition of a particular vowel sound.
Example:Those images that yet
Fresh images beget
Consonance
Definition: The repetition of final consonant sounds.
Example: 'First and last,' 'odds and ends,' 'short and sweet,' 'a stroke of luck,'
Sibilance
Definition: Repetition of words which contain the 's' sound.
Example:An audio system should reproduce the word 'sizzle' clearly and
distinctly without sounding smeared or distorted.
Revision Questions
Please attempt the following with only a copy of the poem on your desk.
Avoid referring to your notes.
Understanding
1. Summarise what the poem is about.
Imagery
2. Describe how the onion, in stanza 2, can be seen as a gift.
3. Use a quotation to show which aspect of the moon represents love.
4. What are the two 'undressings' referred to in stanza 2?
5. What is the pun Duffy might also be making by using the word
'undressing'?
6. What is the onion compared to in stanza 3 and why are they similar?
7. What does the comparison in stanza 6 mean?
8. Explain the next comparison in detail and what it might suggest about
love.
9. Why is the image in the last stanza different from previous imagery
associated with the onion?
10. The onion is compared to many things throughout the poem in a range of
metaphors. What is the term for this type of metaphor?
Word Choice
11. Chooses three examples of word choice and explain why they are
effective in getting across the point of the poem.
12. Quote an example of alliteration.
13. Quote an example of sibilance and explain why it is effective.
Stance
14. What message is Duffy trying to get across in her poem?
15. Is there a change of mood at the end of the poem? Explain this.
Structure
16. Explain why Duffy has chosen not to follow any particular rhyming
scheme or structure in 'Valentine'?
17. What is it called in poetry when a poem is written in a colloquial way?
18. What are the single word lines like 'Here', 'Take it' and 'Lethal' effective?
19. Explain two ways the single line stanzas highlight the message of the
poem.
Extra info
20. Where is Carol Ann Duffy from?
Intermediate 2 - Timed Essay
Choose a poem which describes an intense feeling.
Show how this feeling is brought into focus by the
use of poetic techniques.
You have 55 minutes to complete this essay.