Dockery and Son by Philip Larkin

Dockery and Son by Philip Larkin
The title represents the 'son' as a status symbol because he has no name, esentially he has personal identity. The poem follows the theme of age and generations, it also conveys the message that you're unable to go back in time.
            'His son's here now' 

The speaker visits his university where we learn that an acquanticance who was at university the same time as the speaker, now has a son who goes to the same uni. 

           'I try the door of where I used to live: Locked.'

This metaphorical device shows how the past is 'locked' meaning it is impossible to go back into the past. We are unable to change what's happened, what's been said and the choices that have been made, maybe creating a sense of regret.

 'The lawn spreads dazzlingly wide' 

Short-lived optimism is presented as 'spread dazzlingly wide' suggesting that the speaker still has opportunity in his life and a good life to live. This is also suggesting that the poet has been set free from his past and his life at university. However, the poet swiftly goes back to talk about Dockery by having a strong opinion on his choices to have a child so young at 'nineteen, twenty.' Phrases such as 'good lord' indicates how the speaker is personally judging Dockery. 

        'Joining and parting lines'

The speaker changes trains at Sheffield, corresponding with time change in the poem. 'Joining and parting lines' implies the different paths in life we take. This also suggest how we all 'part' during out lifetime in order to take different paths, however we all 'join' at the same point, which is death. 

 'To have no son, no wife, No house or land still seemed quite natural' 

To have none of these things is unusual to most of society, however to Larkin it 'seemed quite natural' implying his dislike towards family life. It also shows how different Dockery is to Larkin and the different paths they have taken.

 'Why did he think adding meant increase? To me it was dilution'

The poet cannot comprehend the reason why someone would want a child. 'Adding' doesn't necessarily mean your happiness will increase. Larkin views children as a 'dilution' meaning it weakens you as a person and lowers the quality of your life. 

'They're more a style our lives bring with them:Habbit for a while'

The speaker presents the idea that having a child is not what society truely wants, it's not 'truest' or what they 'most want to do.' Having children is 'style' suggesting that the expectations that surrounds us is heavily influential, essentially creating unhappiness because it's not what individuals genuinely want.

'Suddenly they harden into all we've got'

This suggests that once you have children, the rest of your life is lost. Children 'harden' into all you have, meaning your life opportunities are limited, essentially making your quality of life decrease. This also reinforces the idea that we are unable to alter the past, the choices we make may form enormous regret which we are left with for the rest of our lives. 

  'Life is first boredom, then fear'

The poet expresses the idea that throughout our lives we feel a great sense of boredom and disappointment. Individuals may feel unsatisifed with life, however once death comes knocking on our door we feel 'fear.' 

'Whether or not we use it, it goes'

No matter how we choose to live our life, death will happen to each and every one of us. The only thing definite in life is death, the life choices we take may not last forever, essentially leading to disapointment. The poem ends with the line 'And age, and then the only end of age.' This reinforces the idea that death is the only thing that is definite.

Self's the Man by Philip Larkin

Self's the Man by Philip Larkin

                                         'Oh no one can deny that Arnold is less selfish than I'
The poem explores the theme of selfishness in relation to marriage. The first line shows sarcasm due to the informal word 'oh.' Arnold is considered less selfish than Larkin because he has a wife and children whereas Larkin only has to defend for himself.
                             'He's married a woman to stop her getting away now she's there all day'
Arnold married a woman to 'stop her getting away' which suggests marriage stops you from having freedom, therefore marriage is an unpleasant situation from which it is hard to escape. The woman is now 'there all day' suggesting oppressive company, the marriage is clearly unhappy. Nevertheless, Arnold's wife is presented as the 'woman' which generalises women implying that they are all the same, subsequently forming sexism. This also indicates a lack of affection in the marriage which relates to 'Talking in Bed.'
                       'And the money he gets for wasting his life on work she takes as her perk'
A tone of sexism is used which classifies the female as gluttonous and self-indulgent. His wife takes his money as her 'perk' suggesting that she is selfish. However, she uses this to pay for 'the kiddies' clobber and the drier and the electric fire' which eradicates the idea that she is full of greed. This also creates a negative outlook on marriage and family life because you have to provide for others, essentially leaving you with no money for yourself.
                                                       'He has no time at all'
Arnold has 'no time at all' for himself, he cannot even 'read the evening paper' because he has to 'put a screw in the wall.' This implies that Larkin finds the prospect of matrimony extremely unappealing because it's a presentation of hardship. However, the typical DIY jobs are performed by males, Larkin exaggerates the fact that Arnold has to take part in house hold jobs which essentially makes him self-absorbed.  
                                             'saying won't you come for the summer'
The poet implies how Arnold feels obliged to greet 'her mother' to come 'for the summer.' This suggests that marriage creates unwanted pressure as you have to take part in tedious tasks, therefore marriage is far from desirable. Larkin also explains how he would feel like a 'swine' if he compared his life to Arnold which suggests Larkin feels sympathy for him because marriage is a trap which causes uhappiness.
                                            'He was out for his own ends'
In the sixth stanza a change is signified as we learn that Arnold is equally as selfish as Larkin, there is no 'contrast.' Larkin describes how Arnold 'was out for his own ends' which implies no one forced Arnold into marriage, it was a choice. He also only married his wife 'for his own sake' which essentially makes Arnold as selfish as Larkin.
                                       'At knowing what I can stand without them sending a van'

Larkin states that he has a 'better hand at knowing what [he] can stand' which implies he has made better life choices than Arnold. This conveys the message that you should always think before making drastic decisions. Larkin wouldn't be able to cope with marriage life, therefore he made the right decision by avoiding it. Moreover, the 'van' is ambiguous because it could mean that marriage can literally make you mentally unstable therefore you are taken away in a 'van.' However, the van could symbolise an ambulance, essentially meaning death. The life decisions we make can lead to devastating consequences.


 

Talking in Bed by Philip Larkin

Talking in Bed by Philip Larkin
                                       'Talking in bed ought to be easiest'
  A bed for a married couple is a place of tranquillity where both feel most connected, but in this particular relationship 'talking in bed ought to be easiest.' This gives the impression that talking to his wife is difficult, suggesting not only an absence of intimacy but the connection they once had has been lost. 
                                       'Lying together there goes back so far'
The word 'lying' has an ambiguous meaning as this could mean the married couple have been lying together in bed for many years. However, it could suggest untruthfulness between the couple which has been going on for many years, leaving the couple detached from one another.
                      'Yet more and more time passes silently, Outside, the wind's incomplete unrest'
Larkin uses nature as a metaphoric device to describe the ups and downs of the marriage. More time 'passes silently' meaning the couple have lost the ability to communicate, therefore they don't say anything. The wind's 'incomplete unrest' is a symbol of the couple's relationship as it's in a constant state of turmoil. Likewise, "Builds and disperses" could be a metaphor for an argument as tension builds, and then 'disperses' meaning the argument has been unresolved. Larkin uses pathetic fallacy and his love of nature to show the atmosphere and tension between the married couple.
                                             'Dark towns heap up on the horizon'
Larkin uses landscape to convey the relationship as the 'dark town' is miserable and bleak. The horizon indicates the couple's knowledge of their relationship, they realise their love has come to an end and there is nothing they can do to change it. 
                                   'It becomes still more difficult to find words at once true and kind'
Larkin describes how the individuals have nothing left to say one another, they are unable to lie and say 'kind' things, so they don't say anything. Larkin shows how the relationship is not actively woring anymore, the couple find it difficult to find words that are not 'untrue and not unkind' conveying the image of isolation. The individuals are civil to each other because they no longer feel the sincere love they once did, therefore the words become more and more harder to find. Larkin conveys the message that sometimes it is too late to make things better as some relationships are not meant to be, meaning you're left with the displeasing tensions that grow apparent. 

Take One Home for the Kiddies by Philip Larkin

Take One Home for the Kiddies by Philip Larkin
The use of the word 'kiddies' is presented as sarcastic due to the poet mocking parents who have a warped perception of their children, thinking they are innocent and angelic.

                                                  'On shallow straw, in shadeless grass'
Larkin uses animals to convey the message that young children can be cruel and unsympathetic. 'Shallow' symbolises the meaningless existence the animals have and 'shadeless grass' presents their habitats are uncomfortable in the sun's harsh glare.
                                              'Huddled my empty bowls, they sleep'
'Huddled' creates the image of a small space which is extremely cramped and intolerable. The bowls are also 'empty' which indicates the animals are starved and uncared for. In the next line, the constant repetition of the word 'no' in 'no dark, no dam, no earth, no grass' enforces negligence. 
                                                 'Mam, get us one to keep'
The child comes across very demanding which suggests he/she is extremely spoilt. The children perceive the animal as a toy object which they can carelessly abandon. Nevertheless, Larkin adds a subtle hint in this line which implies the children's behaviour is down to the mother due to 'traditional housewife roles' which states how the mother should look after the children. The women should teach her children to be decent, not unpleasant, impolite and presumptuous.
                                 'Living toys are something novel, But it soon wears off somehow' 
The animals are diminished to 'living toys' which implies how they are now just an object for children's pleasure, however 'it soon wears off.' This shows how fickle children are, but also that children are not innocent, they are shallow and reckless.
                             'Fetch the shoebox, fetch the shovel- Mam we're playing funerals now'
'Playing' is an activity engaged in for enjoyment and recreation so the fact that the children was 'playing' funerals suggests how secretly dark minded they are. Even though children are immature and irresponsible, the reader feels strong anger towards them because they are careless and find death a 'game' to be played with.

The Whitsun Weddings by Philip Larkin

The Whitsun Weddings by Philip Larkin
The poem is narrated on a train journey which is 'three-quarters empty' during a hot summers day, where the poet witnesses a wedding during the 'whitsun' period.

                                                   'Canals with floatings of industrial froth'
As always, Larkin displays his detestation towards the modern world. The word 'industrial' is characterised by industry which uses the most up-to-date techniques and is associated with man made products. The idea that the modern world is destroying the natural world is expressed here. A canal is related to beauty, however the unpleasant 'froth' is a representation of the modern world, which reflects upon the damage caused to the natural surroundings. Nevertheless, Larkin explains towns as 'new and nondescript' which indicates how modern society lacks distinctive and interesting features, they all blend together and become unmemorable. The people in it are also pushed into the same social expectations, reducing originality.
                                                    'Girls in parodies of fashion, heels and veils'
 Larkin critises the appearance of the 'girls' who attend the wedding. To begin with, the fact that he names them 'girls' signifies Larkin's perception of women as he finds them naive and unsophisticated. 'Parodies' highlights how the girls were dressed humourously and were imitating a certain style which made them look hideous and repellent. The poet describes how 'veils' were worn which implies the desperate desire to marry and the need to feel wanted, however these particular girls are undesirable.
                                        'The fathers with broad belts'   'Mothers loud and fat' 
Larkin is openly critical about women in an ungracious manner. He states that the mothers were 'fat' however the fathers only had 'broad belts.' Gender-stereo typing is used here as women are perceived as repulsive with no dignity or state of being worthy. Yet the only hint the reader receives about the male's weight is a 'broad belt' which demonstrates Larkins critical views on these strangers, but also how the male is regarded as more graceful than the female. 
                                   'The nylon gloves and the jewellery-substitues'
 The working class are regarded as grotesque and tacky as nothing is real. The people involved in this wedding wore 'Jewellery-substitues' which shows how they are unable to afford actual diamonds, Larkin is repulsed by this. Nevertheless, 'nylon' is man made which reinforces the concept of modernisation. Larkin is repulsed by the amount of fake items involved in the wedding and he is openly critical about it. Larkin also criticises the working class as he describes the 'cafes' and 'coach party annexes' which makes the wedding sound cheap, unpleasant and sickening.
                                            'The secret like a happy funeral'
The oxymoron 'happy funeral' means the wedding is a ceremony of the end. Marriage is seen as a burden and a misfortune that causes worry, hardship and distress. Larkin doesn't perceive marriage as happiness, in fact he views it as a 'funeral' connoting unhappiness and grief. Hopefully the 'dozen marriages' won't be thinking about 'the others they would never meet.' This brings forward the idea that once you're married opportunity's with new people begin to close because life is now contained with commitment to one person.
                                               

Here by Philip Larkin

 Here by Philip Larkin
                                                   Alliteration
'Here' takes the reader on a visual train journey through the contrasting town and countryside. To begin with Larkin uses the technique of alliteration to emphasize the natural beauty of nature, he describes the 'skies and scarecrows' and the 'haystacks and hares.' This creates a sense of enthusiasm which demonstrates Larkin's fascination with the natural world.
                                     'The piled gold clouds, the shining gull-marked mud'
  Larkin expresses his devoted love for nature as he refers to the clouds as 'gold' which connotes precious wealth, underlining the concept that nature is worth more than wealth or luxury. Even the 'shining gull-marked mud' is perceived as beautiful due to the word 'shining' indicating a source of beauty. However, the beauty is juxtaposed with something which is considered as ugly and dirty which reinforces Larkin's idea that the 'ugly modern town' demolishes any sign of beauty and gracefulness.
                                                               'Raw estates'
The word 'raw' implies danger and disgust which clearly states Larkin's opinion towards this particular estate. By describing estates as 'raw' he is insinuating that the residents are lower class with no social morals or dignity. Nevertheless, 'raw' can also relate to raw materials that the town may produce which provides a low profit margin, an indicator of poverty in the town.
                                   'Cheap suits, red kitchen ware, sharp shoes, iced lollies'
In the third stanza, the poet describes the 'desires' of the town dwellers which contains items such as 'cheap suits' and 'red kitchen-ware.' Larkin mocks the town by describing these ordinary items as 'desires' which explains the economic state of the town. Moreover, the adjectives to describe the manmade products connotes insecurity and threat. 'Red' implies danger, blood and is associated with anger and 'sharp' indicates pain and mental suffering or distress. This is a symbol of the 'modern world' because it causes moral revulsion to the poet.
                                                 'Luminously-peopled air ascends'
In the last stanza, the final lines are taking us away from the 'grain scattered streets' as the images because vaguer and less focused. The 'Luminously-peopled air ascends' which implies Larkin's misanthropist nature as the air was full of 'people' which makes it impure and polluted, but the air finally 'ascends' far away from him.

Ambulances by Philip Larkin

Ambulances By Philip Larkin
                                                 'Closed like confessionals.'
'Ambulances' is a portrait of Larkin's contemplation of death which subsequently forces the reader to come to terms with reality, which is death is an essential part of life. The Ambulance is a symbol of death and isolation as it 'closed like confessionals.' This implies that you die alone with your sins, moreover it highlights the idea that death possesses no openings as it's firmly 'closed.' 
                                                  'Light glossy grey'
'Light glossy grey' alludes the numerous stages in life. The 'light' represents the infant stage, 'glossy' is the prime of youth and 'grey' represents the aged and elderly. Larkin conveys the theme of life and death through colour as death can happen at any stage of an individual's life, no matter how old or young. 
                                            'All streets in time are visited' 
Larkin was a realist, he states that 'All streets in time are visited' which is undoubtedly true, death is inevitable. The ambulance may 'rest at any kirb' in order to pick up its next victim which could be anyone from any street. This also highlights the concept that there is no class divide when death is involved, death is equal and we will all die the same eventually.
                                     'Then children strewn on steps or roads'
Larkin was known for being a misogynist due to his ingrained prejudice against women. He believed it was a woman's duty to take care of the children and complete 'traditional housewife' roles. Larkin descibed the children as being 'strewn on steps or roads.' 'Strewn' connototes scatter and untidiness implying that mothers carelessly leave their children, essentially not doing their job correctly. Neverthless, the fact that women are 'coming from the shops' signifies ignorance and their naivety in society which reinforces Larkin's role as an misogynist as the ignorance is predominantly female.
                                                  'As it is carried in and stowed'
Larkin de-humanizes the dead by describing them as objects which rasies the argument that there is no life after death. The person is described as an 'it' implying that the individual is now categorised as an object. Words such as 'carried' and 'stowed' emphasises this concept as we associate these words with material items. For Larkin, as an atheist there is no afterlife because death is the end, once we are dead our essence is no more.
                                              'At last begin to loosen'
 For many of us death is viewed as an avoidable fear, however for Larkin death is a relief. Instead of life 'falling' apart, the aspects of life simply 'begin to loosen.' As a person's tie to their human existence begins to fade, so does their many issues which gives solace to the individual. 'At last' a life full of melancholy has come to an end.