Valentine by Carol Ann Duffy - 2HV1

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo, vwo
• Leerjaar 2

Valentine 

by Carol Ann Duffy 

The aim of this assignment is to provide you with an insight into the motives and meanings behind the poem ‘Valentine’ by Carol Anne Duffy. 

• I can read texts about recognizable situations, events and emotions;
  
• I can read poetry and songs with a narrative content and an emotional charge;
• I can recognize rhymes and rhythm;
  
• I can make connections between actions of characters and events;
  
• I can recognize figurative language.

Goals: 

Task 1: Brainstorm the concept of Valentine's day

Now read the poem once or twice!

• Does this poem fulfill our expectations of a poem titled 'Valentine'? Why? 

The poet seems to reject any overly sentimental and materialistic ideas about love. Instead she tries to present us with a more 'truthful' and realistic picture of what love really is and what being in love truly means. 

Task

Task 2: Answer the following questions as fully as possible! 

1. What are the things that are normally associated with Valentine's day that Carol Ann Duffy rejects? Why do you thing she rejects them? 

2. instead of these things, what object does Carol Ann Duffy choose to represent love? What is surprising about this? 

3. List all of the words/phrases that seem out of place in a Valentine Poem. EG 'tears' 'grief' Why do you think that they are included? 

Task

The poet gives the onion as a gift and uses it to signify love and relationships. In the next assignments, your are going to identify what the onion is or does, and in what ways this is similar to relationships. 

Task 3: 

Because the poet writes her relationships as if it is an onion, we can say that she uses a METAPHOR. Because she returns to the image over and over again, and continually develops the comparison, we can refer to the language device as an EXTENDED METAPHOR. 

Task

• Write a Valentine's day poem with 10 lines;
• The last line should contain the title of your favourite song ; 
• The poem may rhyme, but it is not required;
• Use a metaphor at least twice; 
• Just like Carol Ann Duffy poem, it doesn't have to be typical; 
• Add your poem to your Fiction & poetry dossier! 
• Be creative! 

Task 4:  Write your  Valentine's Day poem 

What did you think of this form of Poetry?

😒🙁😐🙂😃

Why?