valentine

• at the beginning of the poem Duffy makes it clear their relationship is real and not romanticised, also that this is not a traditional love poem.

  "not a red rose or a satin heart" these are stereotypical symbols of love which the writer represents and cliched and have a lack for actual meaning.

  then later on she repeats this idea saying "not a cute card or a kissogram "
• she introduces the gift of an onion in the second line using the personal pronoun I to highlight this is from and to a very specific person. the onion becomes an extended metaphor for love throughout the poem 


  " i give you an onion"
• at the beginning of stanza three the writer starts of with a one word line creating a sinister tone with a full stop. this creates pace and a tension within the poem 


  "here."
• "it will blind you with tears like a lover"


  the use of it is non-specific making it unclear who / what she is on about

  the onion symbolised the pain caused by love which isn't usually represented in traditional love poems
• "i am trying to be truthful" is a line by itself in the middle of the poem which could be shown as the heart of the poem 


  she is trying to find in her heart the true meaning of love and her true feelings
• "fierce kiss will stay on your lips, possesive and faithful"


  love is described in physical terms. there is also a hint that it is dangerous. the uneasy tone continues here
• in the last stanza Duffy demands him to "take it. " (the onion) this makes the tone more confrontational and makes the reader wonder if their love is potentially one sided and forced. the mood becomes more dark as the reader seemingly becomes more desperate. the poem shifts from being romantic and real to sinister and uncertain .
• at the start of the poem the onion represents love and realism whereas now the onion represents danger and death. this is a shocking unexpected turn of events in a love poem.


  "Lethal." end stopping line.
• it's scent will cling to your fingers, cling to your knife "


  the repetition of cling represents the inescapably of the scent

  love can hurt, leave a wound

  disturbing powerful final image
• written in irregular sized stanzas, no rhyme scheme. some lines are on line long making the poem seem disjointed
• Duffy uses enjambment throughout the poem to create an unsettling effect. The lack of punctuation creates a sense of urgency and desperation.
• The use of alliteration in 'onions' and 'oppressive' adds emphasis to these words and draws attention to them. It also gives the poem a rhythmic quality.
• The use of metaphor in comparing love to an onion emphasizes its complexity and layers. This reinforces the theme of honesty and authenticity in relationships.