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.