Valentine By Carol Ann Duffy
Unfamiliar text reading Read the poem!
Unfamiliar text reading After reading the poem… What is your emotional compass telling you? What feelings is the poem evoking?
Unfamiliar text reading What do you think the poem is about?
Unfamiliar text reading What does the title tell you about the poem?
Unfamiliar text reading Identify any features of structure that are worth noting. (Structure includes the number of stanzas, stanza length, line length, rhythm, rhyme, sentence type – fragmented, disjointed, complete, short) What effect do these features have on our reading of the poem?
Unfamiliar text reading Explain the significance of the opening line to the title of the poem.
Unfamiliar text reading The poet has used metaphorical language – where and in what way? Why has she used these metaphors?
Unfamiliar text reading The poet has used imperatives – identify the examples of this technique. (imperative – a command or demand that implies action) Why has the poet used these imperatives?
Unfamiliar text reading What is the name of the technique in the lines It will blind you with tears like a lover. Why has this technique been used as a specific example and in the context of the poem as a whole?
Unfamiliar text reading List the ways in which the poet suggests that an onion links to love. Why is this an unlikely use of imagery?
Unfamiliar text reading Explain how the poet has used contrast in imagery for a particular effect.
Unfamiliar text reading What different aspects of love does the poem explore? For example, it refers to marriage. “Its platinum loops shrink to a wedding-ring, if you like.”
Unfamiliar text reading What message about love do you think the poet is trying to portray? What makes you think this?
Unfamiliar text reading How successful do you think the poet has been in communicating what love means to her? Why do you think this?
Unfamiliar text reading When compared to the other poems we have studied, which one do you think is the most accurate account of love? Why?