Valentine

• Studievaardigheden
• Middelbare school
• havo
• Leerjaar 2

Today

Vinegar Valentine

Is the opposite of a Valentine poem.

An example:

YouTube is red

Twitter is blue

I have no social life

and  neither do  you

What words do you think you will find in a poem called 'Valentine' ?

Do you like the poem?

This poem is NOT about an onion. You have 2 minutes to discuss what you think it is about.

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.

Write down positive words in the poem

And negative words in another colour

What is the tone of the poem?

Duffy starts the poem in a negative

tone which is unusual when

describing love. She rejects the

traditional symbols of love and is forceful in her opinion of this 

At what point in the poem is there a change of tone?

"It is a moon wrapped in brown paper"-Here is the first sign of romance -moonlight is a romantic notion but she

tries to hide it in the ordinary. This is, again, a more honest presentation of love.

How does Carol Ann Duffy explain the choice of an onion as a Valentine's Day gift? Copy citations from the poem.

The whole poem is based around the idea that love is an onion. She

takes pride in this presentation . She is purposefully unromantic and

honest here. "I give you an onion"

It is a moon wrapped in brown paper

It will blind you with tears 

It's fierce kiss will stay on your lips 

Its platinum loops shrink to a wedding ring

Its scent will cling to your fingers

Although seemingly romantic, these quotes underline the close contact between violence and passion. Her love is forceful, as well as her gift. 

The loops (in an onion) shrink to a wedding ring - implying that marriage is a shortening or lessening of love. 

Symbolism

The scent of an onion is a symbol of the thoughts and emotions which remain when a relationship has ended. 

Simile/Personification

The metaphor is extended to show the less positive side of love. Anyone being in love is also at risk of heartbreak. Just as an onion

makes our eyes sting when you cut into it, so too love and heart break can make you cry.

Not a red rose or a satin heart

Not a cute card or a kissogram

What is the effect of starting the poem with the word 'not'

Duffy starts the poem in a negative tone which is unusual when

describing love. She rejects the traditional symbols of love and is

forceful in her opinion of this. 

Think of an object that is not usually associated with Valentine and try to come up with why this would be a good present for Valentine's Day. 

Make your own poem with this object in it, or if you have a better idea for a valentine (or anti-valentine) poem, ask me first.

When you're done writing your poem, make a poster with it.