Poetic voice starts by dismissing Title suggests poem will deal with conventional Metaphor - “moon” has
stereotypical valentine gifts - notions of love - proved wrong in first line. connotations of
doesn’t think they hold much romance but “brown
worth. paper” gives the
Valentine impression of being
everyday or nothing
Speaker is addressing a special - ties in with the
romantic partner but gives poet’s idea of real love -
something unexpected. real gifts don’t need
Not a red rose or a satin heart. embellishment.
“Light” has positive connotations.
Reflects optimism at the start of
I give you an onion.
“Careful” suggests
relationships. Simile compares the It is a moon wrapped in brown paper. tenderness, affection to allow
shedding of onion layers to delving It promises light barriers to come down and
deeper into a relationship. Love
requires a careful hand. “careful
like the careful undressing of love. expose themselves.
undressing” creates image of
undressing a partner. Here. Simile - accepts the truth about love - it
It will blind you with tears isn’t all perfect and happy - onion’s scent
compared to hurting the one you love.
One word sentence suggests like a lover.
simplicity/straight forward - something It will make your reflection
is being given - forceful presentation. Metaphor - referring to the person’s
a wobbling photo of grief. reflection when one’s eyes are full of tears
- love can distress - destructuve.
Single sentence stanza reflects
person’s desire to remain honest and
I am trying to be truthful.
keep things simple and realistic. Tone change from gentle/
Not a cute card or a kissogram. honest to threatening.
Link back to the start of the poem -
another reminder that the speaker I give you an onion. Another reminder of their
disapproves of cliche gifts. Its fierce kiss will stay on your lips, desire to give meaningful gifts.
Alliteration of “cute card” and “red
rose”could suggest Duffy’s belief possessive and faithful
that it’s overused n love poems. as we are, Cynical about love - instead Even when love is true,
for as long as we are. of promising to last forever, there can be hard
the relationship will only last times or danger.
Word choice - connotations of for as long as they work at it. Suggests passion can
jealousy, distrust and insecurity. Take it. get out of control -
Its platinum loops shrink to a wedding-ring, darker associations.
Short sentence hints that speaker if you like.
has become a bit desperate and Marriage might restrict a person.
worries the gift will not be Idea of being constricted.
accepted and neither will she. Lethal. The further you get into
a relationship the more
Its scent will cling to your fingers, serious it gets - ending in
cling to your knife. marriage.
Casual offer reinforces the idea that
a more honest type of love is more Another reminder that
important and true. love can be dangerous Suggests the
and violent at times.
Carol Ann Duffy The knife can destroy
possessive side of
love and how it can
the onion. lead to tension.
Themes
* Love Poem is written in free- Negative aspects of
* Relationships verse. The form echoes that conventional relationships
* Violence of an onion and the layers can be restrictive to the
that make it up - rejects individual - but a love that is
tradition. true is worth pursuing.
stereotypical valentine gifts - notions of love - proved wrong in first line. connotations of
doesn’t think they hold much romance but “brown
worth. paper” gives the
Valentine impression of being
everyday or nothing
Speaker is addressing a special - ties in with the
romantic partner but gives poet’s idea of real love -
something unexpected. real gifts don’t need
Not a red rose or a satin heart. embellishment.
“Light” has positive connotations.
Reflects optimism at the start of
I give you an onion.
“Careful” suggests
relationships. Simile compares the It is a moon wrapped in brown paper. tenderness, affection to allow
shedding of onion layers to delving It promises light barriers to come down and
deeper into a relationship. Love
requires a careful hand. “careful
like the careful undressing of love. expose themselves.
undressing” creates image of
undressing a partner. Here. Simile - accepts the truth about love - it
It will blind you with tears isn’t all perfect and happy - onion’s scent
compared to hurting the one you love.
One word sentence suggests like a lover.
simplicity/straight forward - something It will make your reflection
is being given - forceful presentation. Metaphor - referring to the person’s
a wobbling photo of grief. reflection when one’s eyes are full of tears
- love can distress - destructuve.
Single sentence stanza reflects
person’s desire to remain honest and
I am trying to be truthful.
keep things simple and realistic. Tone change from gentle/
Not a cute card or a kissogram. honest to threatening.
Link back to the start of the poem -
another reminder that the speaker I give you an onion. Another reminder of their
disapproves of cliche gifts. Its fierce kiss will stay on your lips, desire to give meaningful gifts.
Alliteration of “cute card” and “red
rose”could suggest Duffy’s belief possessive and faithful
that it’s overused n love poems. as we are, Cynical about love - instead Even when love is true,
for as long as we are. of promising to last forever, there can be hard
the relationship will only last times or danger.
Word choice - connotations of for as long as they work at it. Suggests passion can
jealousy, distrust and insecurity. Take it. get out of control -
Its platinum loops shrink to a wedding-ring, darker associations.
Short sentence hints that speaker if you like.
has become a bit desperate and Marriage might restrict a person.
worries the gift will not be Idea of being constricted.
accepted and neither will she. Lethal. The further you get into
a relationship the more
Its scent will cling to your fingers, serious it gets - ending in
cling to your knife. marriage.
Casual offer reinforces the idea that
a more honest type of love is more Another reminder that
important and true. love can be dangerous Suggests the
and violent at times.
Carol Ann Duffy The knife can destroy
possessive side of
love and how it can
the onion. lead to tension.
Themes
* Love Poem is written in free- Negative aspects of
* Relationships verse. The form echoes that conventional relationships
* Violence of an onion and the layers can be restrictive to the
that make it up - rejects individual - but a love that is
tradition. true is worth pursuing.
