Post by mslewis on May 13, 2012 19:25:27 GMT
"It is a moon wrapped in brown paper
It promises light
Like the careful undressing of love"
"Valentine" stanza 2
Here, Carol Ann Duffy draws attention to the differences between her gift of the onion and traditional, stereotypical Valentine's day gifts. The brown outer skin of the onion is compared to wrapping paper and the white inside of the onion to the gift that the recipient might unwrap. The plainness of the colours compared to the red roses or satin hearts of line 1 reminds us that genuine love is about discovering the beauty within, not superficial attraction or materialism.
The words "It promises light" link to the allusion to the moon, which is a common image in romantic poetry. They have many positive connotations, suggesting the optimism and hope at the start of a new relationship and the promises lovers make to each other.
The following line, "like the careful undressing of love", has a double meaning. It refers to literal undressing in a sexual situation but also spiritual intimacy, getting to know each other deeply and revealing our true selves. The word "careful" suggests the tenderness and thoughtfulness of lovers at the beginning of a relationship, contrasting sharply with ideas that Duffy explores later in the poem.
It promises light
Like the careful undressing of love"
"Valentine" stanza 2
Here, Carol Ann Duffy draws attention to the differences between her gift of the onion and traditional, stereotypical Valentine's day gifts. The brown outer skin of the onion is compared to wrapping paper and the white inside of the onion to the gift that the recipient might unwrap. The plainness of the colours compared to the red roses or satin hearts of line 1 reminds us that genuine love is about discovering the beauty within, not superficial attraction or materialism.
The words "It promises light" link to the allusion to the moon, which is a common image in romantic poetry. They have many positive connotations, suggesting the optimism and hope at the start of a new relationship and the promises lovers make to each other.
The following line, "like the careful undressing of love", has a double meaning. It refers to literal undressing in a sexual situation but also spiritual intimacy, getting to know each other deeply and revealing our true selves. The word "careful" suggests the tenderness and thoughtfulness of lovers at the beginning of a relationship, contrasting sharply with ideas that Duffy explores later in the poem.