Valentine

Carol Ann Duffy has a unique way of expressing her love unconventionally through this profound work of poetry. Duffy is one of Britain’s most famous poets. The poet spurns traditional expressions of love in favour of a non-traditional Valentine’s Day gift, claiming that it symbolizes love in a much more realistic way than roses or heart-shaped candies. ‘Valentine’ uses an everyday ordinary object – the onion – to represent her deepest feelings and most abstract thoughts. The juxtaposition of ordinary objects with her intense feelings serves to create the mood and tone of this particular work.

Valentine
Carol Ann Duffy

Not a red rose or a satin heart. 

I give you an onion. It is a moon wrapped in brown paper. It promises light like the careful undressing of love. 

Here. It will blind you with tears like a lover. It will make your reflection a wobbling photo of grief 

(...)

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Valentine Valentine

Carol Ann Duffy

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Summary

‘Valentine’ explores how traditional gestures of love may not necessarily represent the emotional significance of a relationship. The speaker rejects traditionalism in all aspects, ending with a non-committal proposal.

The central metaphor of the poem becomes clear in the first two lines of the poem: love is an onion. It is layered, complex, and bitter-sweet. The comparison gets more ambiguous as the poem unfolds, and readers become unsure what the comparison is and what is being talked about: love or the onion. However, the poem is clear that true love is about more than cliché gifts. The nature of love means that it can be destructive if not properly tended to. It also shows, that when it comes to love, sentiment and hard work trump meaningless, material gifts.

First, the speaker offers their lover an onion, feeling it represents their love better than a “red rose”. While the onion itself is a metaphor for love, it also becomes the moon, wrapped in brown paper. The immediate complication of the metaphor introduces the complexity of love, showcasing both its romantic moments and bitter trials.

The third stanza is somewhat less sweet, as the speaker promises that it will make their lover cry. This is followed by a monostich imbued with sincere confusion at why the lover does not enjoy the gift. “I am trying to be truthful”. The speaker wishes to represent the entirety of their love, not just the good parts. Enduring the bad is what defines a couple and their commitment to one another.

As the poem concludes, the speaker gives a non-committal proposal: “if you like”. The loops of the onion form a wedding ring, but the outcome of this proposal will change the relationship forever. Whether the proposal is accepted or rejected, it was undeniably “Lethal”. It kills the version of the relationship which was, moving on as the gesture is impossible to take back. The poem ends without a resolution, leaving the lover’s answer up to the reader.

Expert Commentary

Insights by Jyoti Chopra

B.A. (Honors) and M.A. in English Literature

The poem compels readers to ponder the shallowness of contemporary existence - the superficiality of modern life and the emotional emptiness in relationships influenced by consumerism and materialistic values while subtly reflecting the deeper underlying societal issues within the current neoliberal framework. It critiques the commodification of emotions, wherein materialistic displays overshadow authentic emotional connections, as neoliberal ethos promotes a culture of consumerism where expressing love becomes akin to participating in a race to acquire products as it dilutes individual emotions, fostering uniform expectations. Consequently, personal connections, expectations, and emotions like love are also depersonalized, leading to hollow relationships devoid of intrinsic humanness and a modern urban milieu wherein finding relationships with genuine intimacy, connection, and spiritual depth is challenging.

Structure and Form

This poem is written in the first-person, taking the form of a dramatic monologue, as the speaker addresses their lover. The lack of response from the lover characterises it as a dramatic monologue, as the speaker seems to be directly responding to their reactions at points throughout the poem. As such, the poem embraces its ability to be universal as it represents all relationships, with the lover’s responses left up to the reader.

It is written in free verse without any rhyme scheme or consistent meter. This lends the poem an informal tone as the speaker directly addresses their lover. It feels more organic and impromptu, as a lover giving their partner a gift does.

The tone is unusual in so much as it is a love poem, of sorts, but has an unsettling feel to it due to the way the poem uses an onion as a metaphor for love itself. Moreover, the short stanzas followed by longer stanzas and the mix of sentence lengths give the poem a stuttering feel, which adds to the tone of unease. This device acts as a mirror for the ups and downs of a relationship. Duffy is renowned for reflecting the message of the poem through the form, which she executes flawlessly in ‘Valentine’.

Literary Devices

As is typical of Duffy’s poetry, ‘Valentine’ employs a range of literary devices which make the poem distinctive. The most notable devices are:

• Metaphors – This poem is effectively one, very extended metaphor. The onion which features prominently throughout the poem is a metaphorical representation of love. Its effects on the lover also contribute to this metaphor, at times blurring the line between the onion and love itself.
• Similes – Surprisingly, Duffy further complicates the onion metaphor through the use of similes. This shows how complex love is, as it can be many things to many people. Her dual use of similes and metaphors create a poem with a striking amount of imagery, drawing the reader’s senses in.
• Personification – As love is often considered to be its own, living, evolving being, the onion becomes personified as it represents this sentient entity. It “promises” and gives the lover a “kiss”, at times representing the actions of the speaker.

Themes

In the poem, there are themes of love, convention, individualism, and vanity of materialism. As the title of the poem indicates, it is a pure love poem, but distinctive for the poet’s unique expression. The poet metaphorically compares her love to an onion. Here, the poet refers to the qualities of onion, such as its multi-layered structure, strong smell, and colour, to emphasize the gift’s versatility. Moreover, the poet criticizes the conventions associated with Valentine’s Day. She finds it useless to gift her beloved “a red rose” or “a satin heart.” Rather, she prefers her day-to-day companion while cooking, an onion, as a gift.

This feminist text also has the theme of individualism. Here, the poet puts aside all such conventional gifts of love. She prefers the onion superior to any other valuable items. The onion is nothing in comparison to the price of “a satin heart” or an emotionless “kissogram.” But Duffy’s heart is nurtured with emotions and love. The allures of materialism can’t impress her, which is why she is content with the onion.

Detailed Analysis

Line 1

Not a red rose or a satin heart.

The speaker immediately reveals to the reader that she chooses to reject the traditional or expected Valentine’s day gifts such as roses and heart-shaped gifts. Traditional gifts suggest traditional love, but the speaker makes it clear from the start that her love is not traditional, and that a traditional gift will not do to represent her love.

Duffy combines imagery associated with Valentine’s Day to allude to the occasion from the beginning. Both the adjective and noun in the phrases “red rose” and “satin heart” are associated with love and this spring holiday.

By opening the poem with a monostich, Duffy creates a jarring effect, as it is coupled with the contradictory tone to what the title of the poem suggests.

Lines 2–5

I give you an onion.

(…)

like the careful undressing of love.

The first line of the second stanza introduces the subject of the poem through a refrain which will be repeated throughout.

The speaker offers an entirely unconventional gift. It is metaphorically depicted as a “moon wrapped in brown paper”. Since the outer part of the onion does look like wrapping paper, the reader can imagine the speaker handing the onion to her lover, expecting her lover to open the gift. Here, the moon is a symbolic representation of love. The speaker subverts the popular romantic sentiment of giving one’s lover the moon.

The “moon”/”onion” is personified as it “promises light”. The recipient of this gift must trust that the moon will bring light, as they cannot see it through the “brown paper”. This is a metaphor for the unexpected nature of relationships: one cannot know what it will hold for them unless they accept it.

In a demonstration of her mastery over literary devices, Duffy pairs this extended metaphor with a simile. The speaker compares peeling the onion to “undressing”, reflecting the erotic connotations of a Valentine’s Day gift. However, this eroticism is paired with genuine love and care, as it is qualified by the adjective “careful”.

Lines 6–10

Here.

It will blind you with tears

(…)

a wobbling photo of grief.

The short, monosyllabic line “Here” suggests the speaker is thrusting the gift upon their partner. Its forcefulness perhaps suggests that the gift is not being immediately appreciated – perhaps even refused.

While the previous stanza likened the onion to other romantic gestures, this stanza is more bitter. The speaker is completely transparent, acknowledging that love is not just blissful fantasy. The promise “It will blind you with tears / like a lover” acknowledges the pain and trials which present in a relationship. This metaphor is further strengthened by the simile “like a lover”, which solidifies the connection between the symbolic onion and love. As such, it is a more fitting Valentine’s gift than a rose, as it represents their love in truth.

The speaker places their lover in front of the mirror: “your reflection / a wobbling photo of grief”. This is a hypallage, which refers to the photo as “wobbling”, when it is in fact the lover’s vision, as their eyes fill with tears. Consequently, the onion metaphor is further strengthened, as it alludes to the chemical released when cutting onions that stings one’s eyes, causing them to cry.

Line 11

I am trying to be truthful.

The re-emergence of the monostich for this line lends it emphasis. The speaker seems indignant or hurt by their lover’s unknown reaction to the gift. To them, this gift should be more appreciated than most. It surpasses material gestures and reflects the truth of their relationship. Despite the trials and pain, the speaker still loves their partner – the ultimate declaration of commitment.

Line 12

Not a cute card or a kissogram.

The speaker regards traditional Valentine’s Day gifts as hollow and meaningless. Their negative view of these items are reflected in the harsh consonance of “cute card” and “kissogram”.

Lines 13–17

I give you an onion.

(…)

for as long as we are.

The refrain “I give you an onion” is featured again through repetition. Following the previous two monostiches, the reader feels that the speaker’s conviction is stronger than ever.

As the onion metaphor continues, it is personified as it leaves a “kiss” on the lover’s lips. This of course alludes to the pervasive smell and taste of an onion, which usually remains long after one has eaten it. However, note the decidedly un-romantic nature of onion smell on a person’s breath. Though it gives a “fierce”, passionate kiss, it is perhaps ruined by its lingering. This reflects how love can sour over time.

Lines 15 to 17 adopt the tone and style of wedding vows. However, the beginning of line 15 – “Possessive” – alludes to problematic traits within the relationship. Despite the speaker’s desire to mark their lover as theirs, much like one would with a wedding ring, their vow is decidedly impermanent. While wedding vows include the clause “as long as we both shall live”, the speaker opts for “for as long as we are”. Realistically, they’re not committing to anything.

This is underlined by the use of antistrophe: “as we are, / for as long as we are”. The promise is redundant.

Lines 18–20

Take it.

(…)

if you like.

Once again, the stanza begins with a short clause with few syllables. The imperative language indicates the forcefulness of the speaker’s instructions. They are insistent, perhaps responding poorly to the refusal of their gift. After all, it is a representation of their love.

Note that the speaker uses “platinum” to describe the colour of the onion, particularly as it turns into a wedding ring. Gold is typically used to make wedding rings as it symbolises purity. However, the speaker already rejects traditional expressions and representations of love, so this can be viewed as a product of this approach. However, it is worth noting that platinum is typically rarer and more expensive than gold. Perhaps, this reflects the value the speaker sees in their relationship.

The rings of the onion can “shrink” to form the wedding ring. While this invokes imagery, it also has connotations of diminishing love. If the onion represents the speaker’s love, surely it is decreasing when it “shrink[s]”.

While proposals are often decisive and grand gestures of affection, the speaker effectively proposes through the line “if you like”. This lacks romance and conviction, perhaps indicating that they are unsure about the proposal. Presumably, this is due to fear that their lover will not accept, as the imperative “Take it” suggests that the gift is forced. This reflects the uncertainty of relationships, with one person feeling differently to the other. The non-committal nature of the proposal juxtaposes the nature of proposals themselves. Marriage is usually the greatest act of commitment one will make in their lifetime.

Lines 21–23

Lethal.

(…)

cling to your knife.

Regardless of the outcome, the scent of the onion will “cling” to the lover. Whether the relationship ends after the proposal – clinging to their “knife” – or evolves into something more – clinging to their “fingers”, where the ring will sit – the outcome will change the lover forever. The repetition of “cling to your” emphasises the choice the lover must make.

Either way, the act will be “Lethal”. The relationship, as it was before the proposal, is effectively dead. There is no going back once the question has been posed. The finality of this juxtaposes the nature of the proposal, which left doubt for the speaker to renege on their proposal. It is a form of protection in the case of refusal.

The poem ends without a resolution, reflecting both outcomes as it becomes universal to all relationships.

Similar Poetry

Like ‘Valentine’, one of the best poems written by Carol Ann Duffy, here is a list of some poems that uniquely represent the theme of love.

• Peeling Onions by Adrienne Rich – In one of her best poems, Adrienne Rich talks about the process of peeling onions and how it takes the poet to the thoughts of her past.
• Valentine by Owen Sheers – In this poem, Owen Sheers talks about the deteriorating relationship that the poet had with his beloved.
• To My Valentine by Ogden Nash – In this one of his well-known poems, Ogden Nash explores the themes of love and dedication by using hyperbolic statements.
• I Wouldn’t Thank You for a Valentine by Liz Lochhead – This poem by Liz Lochhead is similar to the theme of Duffy’s ‘Valentine’.

Explore more poetry on the theme of love in Famous Short Love Poems.

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