A VALENTINE by Eugene Field: Summary, Meaning & Analysis
A young boy sends Cupid to deliver his Valentine's Day message to his crush, acknowledging that she doesn't treat him well but insisting that his feelings remain strong.
The poem
Go, Cupid, and my sweetheart tell I love her well. Yes, though she tramples on my heart And rends that bleeding thing apart; And though she rolls a scornful eye On doting me when I go by; And though she scouts at everything As tribute unto her I bring-- Apple, banana, caramel-- Haste, Cupid, to my love and tell, In spite of all, I love her well! And further say I have a sled Cushioned in blue and painted red! The groceryman has promised I Can "hitch" whenever he goes by-- Go, tell her that, and, furthermore, Apprise my sweetheart that a score Of other little girls implore The boon of riding on that sled Painted and hitched, as aforesaid;-- And tell her, Cupid, only she Shall ride upon that sled with me! Tell her this all, and further tell I love her well.
A young boy sends Cupid to deliver his Valentine's Day message to his crush, acknowledging that she doesn't treat him well but insisting that his feelings remain strong. His grand romantic gesture is an invitation for her to ride on his cherished red-and-blue sled — and he makes sure she knows that other girls would love that chance too. It's a charming and humorous poem about the simplest form of love: the playground kind.
Line-by-line
Go, Cupid, and my sweetheart tell / I love her well.
Yes, though she tramples on my heart / And rends that bleeding thing apart;
And though she rolls a scornful eye / On doting me when I go by;
And though she scouts at everything / As tribute unto her I bring--
Apple, banana, caramel-- / Haste, Cupid, to my love and tell,
And further say I have a sled / Cushioned in blue and painted red!
The groceryman has promised I / Can 'hitch' whenever he goes by--
Go, tell her that, and, furthermore, / Apprise my sweetheart that a score / Of other little girls implore
And tell her, Cupid, only she / Shall ride upon that sled with me!
Tell her this all, and further tell / I love her well.
Tone & mood
Playful and warm, with a gentle comic irony woven throughout. Field captures the breathless, dramatic tone of adult love poetry and puts it in the voice of a small boy — the contrast between the grand language and everyday realities (snacks, a sled, the groceryman) is where the humor thrives. Yet, there's real tenderness beneath the jokes; Field clearly sees childhood devotion as charming rather than foolish.
Symbols & metaphors
- The sled — The sled is the boy's most cherished possession and his ultimate romantic gesture. It represents all the big displays of affection — like jewels, flowers, and serenades — that grown-up lovers give. The specific details (red paint, blue cushion) highlight how genuine and valuable it is to him.
- Cupid — Cupid is known as the classic messenger of love, but in this case, he's off on an unusual mission. His role as a go-between emphasizes the contrast between the age-old traditions of romance and the simple, playful love story that unfolds here.
- Apple, banana, caramel — These snacks reflect the boy's genuine but modest resources. While an adult suitor might show up with roses or chocolates, he brings what he can afford. The list is amusing, yet it also illustrates that he's putting forth his best effort.
- The scornful eye — The girl's dismissive glance represents unrequited love and the specific hurt of being overlooked by someone you admire. It reflects the 'cruel mistress' trope from classical love poetry, brought down to the schoolyard level.
Historical context
Eugene Field wrote this poem in the 1880s when he was a prominent Chicago newspaper columnist and known for his light, humorous verse. He had a unique ability to portray childhood authentically—not with a sentimental hindsight, but with sharp comic insight into how kids think and feel. By this time, Valentine's Day had already become a popular commercial and sentimental event in the U.S., with printed cards and public displays of affection common. Field takes that tradition and presents it through the eyes of a boy who has picked up the language of romantic love from the adults around him but is applying it to a situation that fits his age perfectly. The poem is part of a larger cultural moment in American literature that recognized domestic life and childhood innocence as important subjects deserving serious literary exploration.
FAQ
It's about a young boy who wants to send a Valentine's Day message to his crush through Cupid. He knows she treats him poorly, but he loves her just the same. His grand romantic gesture is offering her an exclusive ride on his cherished red-and-blue sled.
The speaker is a young boy, likely around 8 to 10 years old, as suggested by the details—catching rides on the groceryman's cart, sharing snacks as gifts, and having a sled. Field never mentions his name, which helps the poem resonate with a broader audience.
'Hitching' was a popular pastime for kids in the 19th century. You'd tie your sled to the back of a horse-drawn cart and enjoy a free ride along the way. The groceryman has allowed the boy to do this whenever his cart goes by — a real treat in the boy's life.
He's trying to make his crush feel special by hinting that she has competition. It's a classic tactic — even a young boy instinctively gets that exclusivity makes something more attractive. The funny part is that he quickly undermines his own plan by making it clear she's the only one he really wants.
Field intentionally combines formal, sophisticated language with simple childhood experiences. This contrast creates the poem's humor—the boy takes the lofty language of adult romance and earnestly applies it to everyday things like apples and sleds.
Both, really. The comedy takes the spotlight — the dramatic language, the snack list, and the sled as a romantic prize. But beneath all that, Field is truly celebrating the sincerity of childhood love. The boy's devotion feels genuine, even if it's on a small scale, and the poem honors that.
The poem features a consistent end rhyme scheme, primarily using couplets and triplets, creating a lively, song-like rhythm that matches its playful subject matter. Field also employs **mock-heroic** language, taking the formal vocabulary of serious love poetry and applying it to trivial situations for humorous effect. The repetition of the closing lines helps to unify the poem's structure.
It suggests that love drives you to keep trying, even if the other person doesn’t feel the same way. You give what you can, even if it’s just snacks, and the wish to be chosen — to be the *one* — is something everyone shares, whether you’re an adult or a child on a sled.