Starter quiz
- The poem 'Valentine' can be described as __________ love poem.
- a romantic
- an unconventional ✓
- a stereotypical
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- What does the speaker in 'Valentine' give her lover as a gift?
- 'an onion' ✓
- What person is the poem 'Valentine written in?
- first
- second ✓
- third
-
- What does 'subvert' mean?
- to go against ✓
- to be typical of
- to be as expected
-
- Which of these conventions does Duffy subvert in 'Valentine'?
- the speaker swears their devotion ✓
- written to the lover
- natural imagery is often used to describe the lover’s physical appearance ✓
-
- The the overall mood or attitude conveyed by the writer is known as the ______ of a text.
- 'tone ' ✓
Exit quiz
- Match the keywords to their definitions.
- Lethal⇔serious or dangerous enough to cause death ✓
- Inevitable⇔certain to happen - unavoidable ✓
- Tone⇔the poet’s attitude towards the subject matter ✓
- To romanticise⇔to view something in an unrealistic or idealistic way ✓
- Marginalised⇔to treat someone or something as though they/it are not important ✓
- What is the tone at the start of 'Valentine'?
- sincere
- soft ✓
- foreboding
- romantic
-
- What is the tone by the end of 'Valentine'?
- soft
- sincere
- romantic
- foreboding ✓
-
- Which of these words taken from 'Valentine' creates the most defiant tone in the poem?
- take
- not ✓
- give
- cute
-
- Starting with the first, put these words from 'Valentine' in the order they appear in the poem.
- 1⇔"light"
- 2⇔"wobbling"
- 3⇔"fierce"
- 4⇔"lethal"
- Duffy presents us with a ______ portrayal of love that is often ignored.
- 'realistic' ✓
Worksheet
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Lesson Details
Key learning points
- In the beginning of the poem, love is presented as nurturing, caring and pure - it brings connection and intimacy.
- Duffy presents love as something that many people strive to protect - something precious and valuable.
- Duffy explores the darker side of love, suggesting that love can have an irreversible and harmful effect.
- Duffy defies romanticised presentations of love; presenting us with a realistic portrayal of love that is often ignored.
Common misconception
Pupils might think that the poet does not support the idea of love.
In the poem, the speaker is expressing their love for their partner. The speaker does support love, and acknowledges the benefits it can bring - they just also acknowledge the great harm it can cause.
Keywords
Lethal - serious or dangerous enough to cause death
Inevitable - certain to happen - unavoidable
Tone - the poet’s attitude towards the subject matter
To romanticise - to view something in an unrealistic or idealistic way
Marginalised - to treat someone or something as though they/it are not important
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