Valentine

• What does Carol Ann Duffy's poem Valentine explore?

  Complex exploration of love
• How does Duffy critique traditional notions of romance in Valentine?

  By using unconventional imagery and sharp tone
• What traditional symbols of love does Duffy dismiss in Valentine?

  Roses, chocolates, and romantic gestures
• What central metaphor does Duffy use in Valentine?

  An onion
• What does the onion symbolize in Duffy's poem Valentine?

  The layers and contradictions of love
• What themes does Valentine address regarding love?

  Duality, emotional vulnerability, and transformation
• How does Duffy portray love as a paradoxical experience?

  Filled with both pleasure and pain
• What does the line "It will blind you with tears like a lover" suggest?

  Love brings inevitable sorrow and heartbreak
• What does the phrase "fierce kiss" imply in the poem?

  Passion with hints of possessiveness
• What does the onion's promise of "light" and "tears" signify?

  The risks and rewards of love
• How does Duffy emphasize the power of love in Valentine?

  By showing it strips away emotional defenses
• What does the scent of the onion represent in the poem?

  The enduring impact of love
• What does the repetition of the word "cling" suggest about love?

  It can be both comforting and suffocating
• What element of danger does the reference to a knife introduce?

  The destructive potential of intense emotions
• How does Duffy's Valentine challenge traditional romantic ideals?

  By presenting love as complex and multifaceted
• What does Duffy encourage readers to reconsider in Valentine?

  What it means to love and be loved
• What are the key themes presented in Duffy's Valentine?

  • Duality of love
  • Emotional vulnerability
  • Transformative power of love
• How does Duffy use the metaphor of an onion in Valentine?

  • Represents complexity of love
  • Highlights layers and contradictions
  • Challenges traditional romantic symbols
• What are the contrasting elements of love depicted in Valentine?

  • Pleasure and pain
  • Tenderness and violence
  • Connection and emotional risk