Analysis

• "Valentine" - On the surface the title suggests that the poem will be a simple expression of love. However, just like an onion, there are many different layers to the poem, surprising the reader as we ‘unpeel’ the meanings.
• "Not a rose or a satin heart" - The first line stands out and creates an initially assertive and negative tone. This surprises the reader who is

  perhaps expecting a traditional romantic poem having read the title.

  This confrontational tone is repeated throughout the poem, emphasising the poet’s intention to challenge the stereotypical ideas of love – “cute card”, “red rose”.
• "I give you an onion" - Duffy creates an unusual but memorable metaphor to symbolise her love – “an onion”, “wrapped in brown paper”. An onion has a strong, sharp and acidic taste, giving flavour and depth to a meal. The comparison with the onion suggests her love is very distinctive and cannot be ignored – perhaps overwhelming for some?
• "It is a moon" - The “moon” metaphor is also an interesting comparison. Whilst the moon is associated with love, it is also linked with mystery.
• "It promises light" - could suggest that her love might be attractive

  at first, but may bring darkness later.
• "Wrapped in brown paper" - The “brown paper” suggests Duffy is being honest about herself–she is not dressing herself up to pretend she is

  something she is not.
• "blind you with tears", "faithful" - This hints at a bad experience with love in Duffy’s past– she knows the pain of lost love.
• "I am trying to be faithful" - Duffy uses the first person (“I”) and present tense to make the poem seem very personal and immediate. It is like we are watching her profess her love.
• "fierce kiss" , "Lethal" - The adjectives “fierce” and “lethal” create a

  threatening tone to the poem. She seems slightly unstable towards

  the end of the poem.
• "Take it" - Duffy repeatedly uses imperatives to command her lover’s attention. This could suggest she is confident in communicating her love – or perhaps hints at a desperate and needy side to her.
• "cling" - The verb “cling” is repeated twice to suggest she is not going anywhere until he returns her love.
• "wedding-ring" - The “wedding-ring” shows she intends to marry this man– this makes her seem very forward and almost obsessive.