Higher English- Valentine poetry

By Duffy

“Not a red rose or a satin heart.”

• The word choice of “not” gives clarity and makes it clear what they will not give on valentines.

• The word choice “red rose” is a traditional symbol of love but they detect these cliches

• The word choice “satin heart” is symbolically associated with love

“I give you an onion.”

The sentence structure used by Duffy suggests the gift of an onion is more realistic than cliched, commercialised tar that is meaningless. It is usually associated with love

“It is a moon wrapped in brown paper.”

• The imagery/visual imagery used is a symbol of love and romance which is the shape and colour of an onion

• It signifies the brown skin on an onion and ordinary/cheap brown paper wrapping which implies that Valentine’s Day wrapping is gaudy

“It promises light like the careful undressing of love.”

• The Enjambment used shows the onion/love north promises light and fulfilment is not always guaranteed

• The word choice of”love” shows it is unexpected after “careful undressing” as it’s placed at the end of the line and verse

“Here”

The minor sentence is monosyllabic and suggests a domineering way of giving you a present, it could be a touch of contempt

“It will blind you with tears like a lover”

Just how an onion can blind you with tears, so can love. The Enjambment used makes the ambiguity of its clear love/onions cannot blind you

“It will make your reflection a wobbling photo of grief”

• tears can distort your reflection when looking in the mirror

• The word choice “wobbling” shows love has the ability to disorientate/unbalance ypu

• The word choice “grief” suggests loss of love that can be caused by people who make themselves vulnerable to romantic love

“I’m trying to be truthful”

The word choice “trying” suggests either it’s not easy to be truthful or the lover doesn’t want to hear the truth