Theme of Belief
Ignorance by Philip Larkin
The title 'Ignorance' suggest that the individual has a lack of knowledge and doubtfulness about the future. 'Strange to know nothing, never to be sure Of what is true or right or real' implies
that we never know what unexpected events will unfold in our lifetime and we sometimes get confused with reality and our visions. This also suggests that we are unable to predict our emotions and feelings towards a certain situation/person because our feelings can automatically change.
In the second stanza, Larkin continues to be unsure by saying 'strange
to be ignorant of the way things work' which indicates that Larkin is unsure about life. Also, many others are unsure of life and what they need to know in order to be happy and successful. The poet repeats 'strange' in the last line which emphasises his lack of certainty.
The last stanza presents the idea that we 'wear such knowledge' which implies that we pretend we know things on the outside, however the knowledge is not deep enough for us to understand so we put on a front to convince others. The poem ends with the theme of death as Larkin states 'That when we start to die Have no idea why' which suggests that death creeps up on you when you're not expecting it and initially not ready. The idea of ignorance is conveyed here, we could be ignorant for not knowing if we had an illness or not being responsible enough to get it sorted, yet we still have 'no idea why.'
Sunday 8 February 2015
Theme of Belief-Nothing To Be Said
Theme of Belief
Nothing To Be Said-Philip Larkin
The poem expresses the idea that we are all born to die and each day we get closer to our day of death. The theme of the poem is death and the passing of time, essentially creating a pessimistic tone. The poem begins with Larkin describing 'nations vague as weed' which establishes people by their nationality. The word 'weed' also indicates how countries are spreading out in an undesirable fashion out of no-where.The word also implies how the countries and the people in it are hideous and unappealing. Larkin mentions the 'nomads among stones' who are travellers with no fixed home, he also mentions the 'cross-faced tribes.' The poet uses different cultures to show how people live differently and how they build their own traditions. The last line of the stanza is used as an pessimistic device because 'Life is slowly dying' which states how everyone will die eventually no matter your religion or culture.
In the second stanza 'love and money' is compared which places them on the same line equally. The poet could be suggesting that love is worthless and based on materialistic perceptions, essentially it's never genuine. Furthermore, Larkin then talks about 'The day spent hunting pig Or holding a garden party' which depicts two different classes and cultures. However, they both 'advance On death slowly' which presents the overall idea that no matter how much money you have or your class status, we all have the same fate where death is concerned.
The final lines of the poem exhibits the division between optimists and pessimists. 'Saying so to some Means nothing; others it leaves Nothing to be said' presents the message that some people do not care that we are slowly dying, whereas for others death sums up everything, evidently dividing the two contrasting groups.
Nothing To Be Said-Philip Larkin
The poem expresses the idea that we are all born to die and each day we get closer to our day of death. The theme of the poem is death and the passing of time, essentially creating a pessimistic tone. The poem begins with Larkin describing 'nations vague as weed' which establishes people by their nationality. The word 'weed' also indicates how countries are spreading out in an undesirable fashion out of no-where.The word also implies how the countries and the people in it are hideous and unappealing. Larkin mentions the 'nomads among stones' who are travellers with no fixed home, he also mentions the 'cross-faced tribes.' The poet uses different cultures to show how people live differently and how they build their own traditions. The last line of the stanza is used as an pessimistic device because 'Life is slowly dying' which states how everyone will die eventually no matter your religion or culture.
In the second stanza 'love and money' is compared which places them on the same line equally. The poet could be suggesting that love is worthless and based on materialistic perceptions, essentially it's never genuine. Furthermore, Larkin then talks about 'The day spent hunting pig Or holding a garden party' which depicts two different classes and cultures. However, they both 'advance On death slowly' which presents the overall idea that no matter how much money you have or your class status, we all have the same fate where death is concerned.
The final lines of the poem exhibits the division between optimists and pessimists. 'Saying so to some Means nothing; others it leaves Nothing to be said' presents the message that some people do not care that we are slowly dying, whereas for others death sums up everything, evidently dividing the two contrasting groups.
Theme of Belief-Days
Theme of Belief
Days by Philip Larkin
The poem begins with Larkin providing us with a question on the very first line.'What are days for?' represents the theme of the poem, which is life and death. Larkin is questioning the audience, what are we supposed to do with our days to make them memorable? What we are supposed to do with our days until we don't have them anymore? Larkin then expresses how days 'wake us Time and time over' which suggests how life is unpredictable and how reality never fails to shock and 'wake us' from our dreams. Moreover, the final line in the first stanza asks 'Where can we live but days' presents a religious element. Larkin questions what events happen after death, can we possibly live anywhere unless it's 'days' which represents life. This represents Larkin's belief as an atheist, we can only live on this world, in other words Larkin believes there is no heaven.
In the final stanza, 'the Priest and the doctor in their long coats' are presented. The religious and medical figure are of great importance because they both see us through the beginning and end of our lives. Larkin may be suggesting that it's more beneficial to have faith in a doctor who can preserve life, rather than a priest who relys on the presence of God. The poem ends on an optisimic note with 'running over fields' which appears to be peaceful and calm, suggesting that their is a place to go after death. Larkin conveys the message that we should make the most of our days because we are unable to live forever, before we know it 'the preiest and the doctor' will be in our company for the end of our journey.
The poem begins with Larkin providing us with a question on the very first line.'What are days for?' represents the theme of the poem, which is life and death. Larkin is questioning the audience, what are we supposed to do with our days to make them memorable? What we are supposed to do with our days until we don't have them anymore? Larkin then expresses how days 'wake us Time and time over' which suggests how life is unpredictable and how reality never fails to shock and 'wake us' from our dreams. Moreover, the final line in the first stanza asks 'Where can we live but days' presents a religious element. Larkin questions what events happen after death, can we possibly live anywhere unless it's 'days' which represents life. This represents Larkin's belief as an atheist, we can only live on this world, in other words Larkin believes there is no heaven.
In the final stanza, 'the Priest and the doctor in their long coats' are presented. The religious and medical figure are of great importance because they both see us through the beginning and end of our lives. Larkin may be suggesting that it's more beneficial to have faith in a doctor who can preserve life, rather than a priest who relys on the presence of God. The poem ends on an optisimic note with 'running over fields' which appears to be peaceful and calm, suggesting that their is a place to go after death. Larkin conveys the message that we should make the most of our days because we are unable to live forever, before we know it 'the preiest and the doctor' will be in our company for the end of our journey.
Saturday 7 February 2015
Theme of Belief-Water
Theme of Belief
Water by Philip Larkin
'Water' aims to challenge religion and it's followers. As an atheist, Larkin believes that all religions are fake as he describes 'if I were called in to construct a religion' which suggests that Larkin wants to create his own beliefs because he doesn't agree with the current religions. Moreover, Larkin believes that the institution of religion has morphed into a construct used to exploit the vulnerable, religion is man made therefore it is fake.
Larkin expresses how 'Going to church would entail a fording' which implies that it would be a great effort for Larkin to take part in going to church, he doesn't trust the organisation. Larkin then uses the line 'To dry, different clothes' which is an obvious criticism of religion. It suggests that the clothes donned for going to church, the Sunday best' are artificial and only worn on this particular day of the week.
The images of water grow more intense as the poem moves forwards. From the 'fording' of the second stanza, we are presented with 'A furious devout drench.' This could suggest how believers of religions constantly try to 'drench' you with their beliefs when you do not want to acknowledge them.
In the last stanza, the word 'Congregate' is used which reminds us of the congregation in a church where people come together. But the fact that the poem never refers to god or any religious value takes it beyond simple 'religion.' All the religions seem to be lacking the simplicity of water which suggests that they overcomplicate.
Water by Philip Larkin
'Water' aims to challenge religion and it's followers. As an atheist, Larkin believes that all religions are fake as he describes 'if I were called in to construct a religion' which suggests that Larkin wants to create his own beliefs because he doesn't agree with the current religions. Moreover, Larkin believes that the institution of religion has morphed into a construct used to exploit the vulnerable, religion is man made therefore it is fake.
Larkin expresses how 'Going to church would entail a fording' which implies that it would be a great effort for Larkin to take part in going to church, he doesn't trust the organisation. Larkin then uses the line 'To dry, different clothes' which is an obvious criticism of religion. It suggests that the clothes donned for going to church, the Sunday best' are artificial and only worn on this particular day of the week.
The images of water grow more intense as the poem moves forwards. From the 'fording' of the second stanza, we are presented with 'A furious devout drench.' This could suggest how believers of religions constantly try to 'drench' you with their beliefs when you do not want to acknowledge them.
In the last stanza, the word 'Congregate' is used which reminds us of the congregation in a church where people come together. But the fact that the poem never refers to god or any religious value takes it beyond simple 'religion.' All the religions seem to be lacking the simplicity of water which suggests that they overcomplicate.
Theme of Love-An Arundel Tomb
Theme of Love
An Arundel Tomb by Philip Larkin
'An Arundel Tomb' refers to the monument in Chichester Cathedral which displays two lovers lying side-by-side, each holding the others stone hand. Although the sculpture provides faith and is a sign of 'eternal love', Larkin argues that love 'isn't stronger than death just because statues hold hands for 600 years.'
Their faces are described as being 'blurred' and 'Their proper habits vaguely shown' which implies how their relationship was superficial, what you see on the statue is not what their relationship was truly like, it's 'vaguely shown.'
The idea that the surface of intimacy and love is in fact untrue is reinforced by 'they would not think to lie so long'. The word 'lie' creates an image of the figures lying down on their backs, however the word holds the connotations of untruth and unfaithfulness. It could be argued that Larkin is telling the reader of how the hand-holding is a false image of love, and that the characters were perhaps not intimate and happy in love when they were alive. Larkin then describes the 'faithfulness in effigy Was just a detail friends would see' which implies that the faith shown is not a true representation of the love which the figures felt for each other, strenghting the idea that the relationship was superficial.
In the fifth stanza, Larkin says 'Persisted, linked, through lengths and breadths Of time. Snow fell, undated. Light Each summer thronged the glass' showing how the time passesn and the seasons change. The idea that the couple was linked through life and still linked through death is presented here, although the couple may not have been happy they stuck together. The sun could be interpretated as the happy times, just like the snow which could be interpretated as the unhappy
times in the relationship.
In the final stanza, Larkin describes how 'Time has transfigured them into Untruth' which depicts the way in which the faithfulness shown through the intimate hand-hold is not an accurate representation of the truth. The statue draws attention to their hands which presents the idea of 'eternal love' which is the 'romantic side.' However people are unable to see what is beyond, esentially the truth. Moreover, the final line of the seventh stanza expresses 'Our almost-instinct almost true: What will survive of us is love'. Larkin is revealing that mankind have a natural instinct to believe that what will survive of us is love, whereas this is only 'almost true', suggesting that it is in fact false and untrue.
An Arundel Tomb by Philip Larkin
'An Arundel Tomb' refers to the monument in Chichester Cathedral which displays two lovers lying side-by-side, each holding the others stone hand. Although the sculpture provides faith and is a sign of 'eternal love', Larkin argues that love 'isn't stronger than death just because statues hold hands for 600 years.'
Their faces are described as being 'blurred' and 'Their proper habits vaguely shown' which implies how their relationship was superficial, what you see on the statue is not what their relationship was truly like, it's 'vaguely shown.'
The idea that the surface of intimacy and love is in fact untrue is reinforced by 'they would not think to lie so long'. The word 'lie' creates an image of the figures lying down on their backs, however the word holds the connotations of untruth and unfaithfulness. It could be argued that Larkin is telling the reader of how the hand-holding is a false image of love, and that the characters were perhaps not intimate and happy in love when they were alive. Larkin then describes the 'faithfulness in effigy Was just a detail friends would see' which implies that the faith shown is not a true representation of the love which the figures felt for each other, strenghting the idea that the relationship was superficial.
In the fifth stanza, Larkin says 'Persisted, linked, through lengths and breadths Of time. Snow fell, undated. Light Each summer thronged the glass' showing how the time passesn and the seasons change. The idea that the couple was linked through life and still linked through death is presented here, although the couple may not have been happy they stuck together. The sun could be interpretated as the happy times, just like the snow which could be interpretated as the unhappy
times in the relationship.
In the final stanza, Larkin describes how 'Time has transfigured them into Untruth' which depicts the way in which the faithfulness shown through the intimate hand-hold is not an accurate representation of the truth. The statue draws attention to their hands which presents the idea of 'eternal love' which is the 'romantic side.' However people are unable to see what is beyond, esentially the truth. Moreover, the final line of the seventh stanza expresses 'Our almost-instinct almost true: What will survive of us is love'. Larkin is revealing that mankind have a natural instinct to believe that what will survive of us is love, whereas this is only 'almost true', suggesting that it is in fact false and untrue.
Theme of Love-Wild Oats
Theme of Love
Wild Oats by Philip Larkin
The phrase 'Wild Oats' symbolises a period in a young male's life when he has a lot of sexual relationships, therefore Larkin sets the tone of the poem from the title. 'Wild Oats' is believed to offer an insight into Philip Larkin's love affair with Jane Exall, and his attempt to get to her through dating her 'friend in specs'.
The first women mentioned is 'a bosomy English rose' which is a stereotypical idea of a women, which is purely based on appearance. She sounds desirable unlike her 'friend in specs' The shallowness of Larkin's love, or more likely lust, is portrayed clearly in the first stanza: 'Faces in those days sparked The whole shooting match off, and I doubt If ever one had like hers: But it was the friend I took out'. This demonstrates how Larkin's love was purely based on appearance, not the inner self. The fact that Larkin likes Jane but takes out her friend, Ruth, makes him appear cruel and uncaring.
In the second stanza, we learn that Larkin's relationship with 'the friend' lasted seven years where they 'wrote over four hundred letters' which suggests the relationship was long distant. Larkin tells the reader of how he believes he 'met beautiful twice' where this is believed to be a reference to the two times that Larkin met with Jane, once in Leicester and another time in Shrewsbury, both in 1950. Both times he believed that Jane was 'trying not to laugh' therefore Larkin presents himself as extremely unsure of himself, essentially lacking in self-confidence.
In the final stanza, the agreement between Ruth and Larkin is presented as Larkin was 'too selfish, withdrawn, And easily bored to love.' The word 'agreement' suggests that Larkin holds the same opinion of himself that Ruth does. He does not see himself as being capable of love, this is supported by the speaker saying "well, useful to get that learnt" which sounds sarcastic and cynical of the relationship he had, like he felt he had wasted his time but he feels the same thing would happen again if he had another relationship.
Many years had past yet the speaker still has "two snaps, of bosomy rose with fur gloves on" which portrays a sexual description of the woman which suggest that ultimately the speaker was never interested in love, instead his desires were only based on physical/sexual attraction. The poem ends with the phrase "unlucky charms" which indicates he is unlucky in love and his future relationships are doomed.
Wild Oats by Philip Larkin
The phrase 'Wild Oats' symbolises a period in a young male's life when he has a lot of sexual relationships, therefore Larkin sets the tone of the poem from the title. 'Wild Oats' is believed to offer an insight into Philip Larkin's love affair with Jane Exall, and his attempt to get to her through dating her 'friend in specs'.
The first women mentioned is 'a bosomy English rose' which is a stereotypical idea of a women, which is purely based on appearance. She sounds desirable unlike her 'friend in specs' The shallowness of Larkin's love, or more likely lust, is portrayed clearly in the first stanza: 'Faces in those days sparked The whole shooting match off, and I doubt If ever one had like hers: But it was the friend I took out'. This demonstrates how Larkin's love was purely based on appearance, not the inner self. The fact that Larkin likes Jane but takes out her friend, Ruth, makes him appear cruel and uncaring.
In the second stanza, we learn that Larkin's relationship with 'the friend' lasted seven years where they 'wrote over four hundred letters' which suggests the relationship was long distant. Larkin tells the reader of how he believes he 'met beautiful twice' where this is believed to be a reference to the two times that Larkin met with Jane, once in Leicester and another time in Shrewsbury, both in 1950. Both times he believed that Jane was 'trying not to laugh' therefore Larkin presents himself as extremely unsure of himself, essentially lacking in self-confidence.
In the final stanza, the agreement between Ruth and Larkin is presented as Larkin was 'too selfish, withdrawn, And easily bored to love.' The word 'agreement' suggests that Larkin holds the same opinion of himself that Ruth does. He does not see himself as being capable of love, this is supported by the speaker saying "well, useful to get that learnt" which sounds sarcastic and cynical of the relationship he had, like he felt he had wasted his time but he feels the same thing would happen again if he had another relationship.
Many years had past yet the speaker still has "two snaps, of bosomy rose with fur gloves on" which portrays a sexual description of the woman which suggest that ultimately the speaker was never interested in love, instead his desires were only based on physical/sexual attraction. The poem ends with the phrase "unlucky charms" which indicates he is unlucky in love and his future relationships are doomed.
Theme of Love - Love Songs in Age
Theme of Love
Love Songs in Age by Philip Larkin
This poem presents the life of a widow who re-visits some old song books full of love songs from her past, which remind her of the love she previously experienced.
The woman kept her songs as they "kept so little space" suggesting she wouldn't have kept them if they took more space, which could imply they didn't mean much to her anymore. Nevertheless, ot could mean that she couldn't face getting rid of them because they had a a great amount of sentimental value.
The song books were "bleached from lying in a sunny place", "marked in circles by a vase of water", "mended" and "coloured, by her daughter". This shows that the books were forgotten about and not cared for, they had become part of the furniture. However, this could suggest that the books were not purposely damaged, they decayed due to age with enforces the idea that love can also decay with age. However, these visual markings represent cheerful memories; they hold connotations of warm weather, flowers and the birth of her daughter. But the fact that one of the sheets was 'mended' portrays a sense of faith. Larkin is depicting the woman's determination to not give up on her relationship although times may be tough.The sheet is a representation of her relationship, it was broken at one point, but eventually was 'mended.'
As the widower looks over the songs, the emotions which came with the music, such as the 'unfailing sense of being young' and the 'certainty of time laid up in store' are presented in a optimistic manner. The two lovers felt that they had their whole lives ahead of them, that they had so much yet to come. The feelings come rushing back to her, just like 'when she played them first.'
Larkin presents love as a 'glare of that much-mentioned brilliance.' The 'glare' could be suggesting that love is blinding and that when you're in love you lose sight of the other things in life which you should appreciate. Nevertheless, the 'glare' could also indicate that love is both the cause of physical and emotional pain, therefore love is portrayed in a negative manner.
The word 'glare' is contrasted with the word 'sailing' which conotes tranquility and peace. Love 'promis[es] to solve, and satisfy' which suggets it holds the elusive promise that it can solve everything and makes everything better. However, this is contraditced as the woman "pile(s) them (the songbooks) back" and cries as love "had not done so then, and could not now". This is stating that love doesn't solve everything and it never will, the promises that are made will always be broken.
Love Songs in Age by Philip Larkin
This poem presents the life of a widow who re-visits some old song books full of love songs from her past, which remind her of the love she previously experienced.
The woman kept her songs as they "kept so little space" suggesting she wouldn't have kept them if they took more space, which could imply they didn't mean much to her anymore. Nevertheless, ot could mean that she couldn't face getting rid of them because they had a a great amount of sentimental value.
The song books were "bleached from lying in a sunny place", "marked in circles by a vase of water", "mended" and "coloured, by her daughter". This shows that the books were forgotten about and not cared for, they had become part of the furniture. However, this could suggest that the books were not purposely damaged, they decayed due to age with enforces the idea that love can also decay with age. However, these visual markings represent cheerful memories; they hold connotations of warm weather, flowers and the birth of her daughter. But the fact that one of the sheets was 'mended' portrays a sense of faith. Larkin is depicting the woman's determination to not give up on her relationship although times may be tough.The sheet is a representation of her relationship, it was broken at one point, but eventually was 'mended.'
As the widower looks over the songs, the emotions which came with the music, such as the 'unfailing sense of being young' and the 'certainty of time laid up in store' are presented in a optimistic manner. The two lovers felt that they had their whole lives ahead of them, that they had so much yet to come. The feelings come rushing back to her, just like 'when she played them first.'
Larkin presents love as a 'glare of that much-mentioned brilliance.' The 'glare' could be suggesting that love is blinding and that when you're in love you lose sight of the other things in life which you should appreciate. Nevertheless, the 'glare' could also indicate that love is both the cause of physical and emotional pain, therefore love is portrayed in a negative manner.
The word 'glare' is contrasted with the word 'sailing' which conotes tranquility and peace. Love 'promis[es] to solve, and satisfy' which suggets it holds the elusive promise that it can solve everything and makes everything better. However, this is contraditced as the woman "pile(s) them (the songbooks) back" and cries as love "had not done so then, and could not now". This is stating that love doesn't solve everything and it never will, the promises that are made will always be broken.
Toads Revisited by Philip Larkin
Toads Revisited by Philip Larkin
'Toads Revisited' is a follow up to 'Toads' by Philip Larkin. The poem presents Larkin's fear and doubt of the future which prevents him from ever quitting and
becoming, in a sense, free. However he expresses his personal opinion and strong attitude on work
avoiders, eventually we learn that the poet finds unemployment far worse than having a job.
'Walking around in the park Should feel better than work'
Larkin described how 'Walking around in the park should feel better than work' therefore it appears that Larkin has become used to being a slave to the world of work and maybe he has leaned to enjoy it, essentially having a break just doesn't suit him. The word 'should' is stressed at the beginning which immediately shows that the poet does not feel better, in fact being at work is better than walking around the park whilst unemployed. Larkin later describes 'The lake, the sunshine' and 'The grass to lie on' whilst on the topic of the park. He admits it's 'not a bad place to be' but 'it doesn't suit [him]' which reinforces the point that Larkin is unsatisfied with unemployment.
'Being one of the men You meet of an afternoon'
Larkin begins to list a group of people who are unemployed where he brutally expresses his loathing towards them and how he desperately does not want to look / be classed the same as them. The poet describes the 'Palsied old step takers' which implies individuals who are unable to walk properly because of medial reasons or maybe because of an accident. Larkin later describes the 'Hare-eyed clerks with the jitters' which clearly suggests Larkin's critical manner as he describes the insane individuals who may have suffered from a mental/nervous breakdown, therefore they are mentally unstable, Larkin is determined to avoid these people. Moreover, Larkin goes on to describe the 'Waxed-fleshed out patients Still vague from accidents.' 'Waxed-flesh' implies a sense of horror which reinforces the fact that Larkin does not want to be associated with these people. Finally, he describes the 'characters in long coats Deep in the litter baskets' which refers to the homeless hopelessly looking for food because they are unable to buy any themselves. Throughout the third and fourth stanza, Larkin takes a strong critical approach to the unemployed as he classifies them all as an embarrassment and even in a sense, a source of horror.
'All dodging the toad work By being stupid of weak'
Larkin portrays the idea that individuals all avoid work on purpose, they are 'all dodging the toad work.' The word 'dodging' sounds judgemental and unfair due to some of the listed, such as 'Waxed-fleshed out-patients' because they have no choice about their lack of occupation due to medical reasons. The poet describes the unemployed as being 'stupid or weak' which is a cruel reference as it's brutally apparent that he believes those who avoid work are doing it on purpose and expect others to work whilst they do nothing. Eventually, Larkin expresses how he would hate to be them. 'Think of being them!' clearly expresses his personal and judgemental opinion because he could not bear to be associated with the ghastly unemployed. The prospect of having no job is unappealing to him, those who do not work are more aware of the bleakness of life.
'Turning over their failures'
Larkin describes how the unemployed will sit whilst 'Turning over their failures.' Larkin does not have the time to consider negative thoughts whilst he is working, therefore work is a distraction from reality. Moreover, the point that those who do not work are considered 'failures' with no ambition, means that we should not aspire to them or count them as our role models.
'Give me your arm, old toad; Help me down Cemetery Road'
Larkin depicts the fact that he cannot see any future without his occupation and decides that he will be led to his death by 'the toad work'. To be associated with unemployment and the individuals within it, is far worse than his profession.
'Walking around in the park Should feel better than work'
Larkin described how 'Walking around in the park should feel better than work' therefore it appears that Larkin has become used to being a slave to the world of work and maybe he has leaned to enjoy it, essentially having a break just doesn't suit him. The word 'should' is stressed at the beginning which immediately shows that the poet does not feel better, in fact being at work is better than walking around the park whilst unemployed. Larkin later describes 'The lake, the sunshine' and 'The grass to lie on' whilst on the topic of the park. He admits it's 'not a bad place to be' but 'it doesn't suit [him]' which reinforces the point that Larkin is unsatisfied with unemployment.
'Being one of the men You meet of an afternoon'
Larkin begins to list a group of people who are unemployed where he brutally expresses his loathing towards them and how he desperately does not want to look / be classed the same as them. The poet describes the 'Palsied old step takers' which implies individuals who are unable to walk properly because of medial reasons or maybe because of an accident. Larkin later describes the 'Hare-eyed clerks with the jitters' which clearly suggests Larkin's critical manner as he describes the insane individuals who may have suffered from a mental/nervous breakdown, therefore they are mentally unstable, Larkin is determined to avoid these people. Moreover, Larkin goes on to describe the 'Waxed-fleshed out patients Still vague from accidents.' 'Waxed-flesh' implies a sense of horror which reinforces the fact that Larkin does not want to be associated with these people. Finally, he describes the 'characters in long coats Deep in the litter baskets' which refers to the homeless hopelessly looking for food because they are unable to buy any themselves. Throughout the third and fourth stanza, Larkin takes a strong critical approach to the unemployed as he classifies them all as an embarrassment and even in a sense, a source of horror.
'All dodging the toad work By being stupid of weak'
Larkin portrays the idea that individuals all avoid work on purpose, they are 'all dodging the toad work.' The word 'dodging' sounds judgemental and unfair due to some of the listed, such as 'Waxed-fleshed out-patients' because they have no choice about their lack of occupation due to medical reasons. The poet describes the unemployed as being 'stupid or weak' which is a cruel reference as it's brutally apparent that he believes those who avoid work are doing it on purpose and expect others to work whilst they do nothing. Eventually, Larkin expresses how he would hate to be them. 'Think of being them!' clearly expresses his personal and judgemental opinion because he could not bear to be associated with the ghastly unemployed. The prospect of having no job is unappealing to him, those who do not work are more aware of the bleakness of life.
'Turning over their failures'
Larkin describes how the unemployed will sit whilst 'Turning over their failures.' Larkin does not have the time to consider negative thoughts whilst he is working, therefore work is a distraction from reality. Moreover, the point that those who do not work are considered 'failures' with no ambition, means that we should not aspire to them or count them as our role models.
'Give me your arm, old toad; Help me down Cemetery Road'
Larkin depicts the fact that he cannot see any future without his occupation and decides that he will be led to his death by 'the toad work'. To be associated with unemployment and the individuals within it, is far worse than his profession.
Friday 6 February 2015
Afternoons by Philip Larkin
Afternoons by Philip Larkin
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Larkin exhibits examples of his misogynist attitude as the theme of women, marriage and children is presented.
'Summer is fading'
Pathetic fallacy is used to enhance the depressing tone of the poem. In the first stanza, the idea that 'summer is fading' suggests the excitement and warmth of a marriage has faded, leaving behind dark and depressing events yet to unfold.
'In the hollows of afternoons'
The idea that women have no significant roles in life is portrayed as women are typically seen as 'stay at home mums' with no ambition or sense of purpose. 'Hollow' implies something without real significance or value, therefore this could suggest how Larkin perceives women. Nevertheless, 'Hollows of the afternoons' connotes unemployment, meaning the mothers are unqualified and uneducated. Moreover, Larkin uses age in reference to the mothers by calling them 'young' which essentially stresses his view of the importance concerning their youthfulness. Moreover, the fact that the males are all in 'skilled trades', whereas the occupation of the mothers appears either non-existent or not worth acknowledging indicates misogyny. Women are seen as the weaker sex, unlike the Male who is skilled and educated.
'An estate of washing'
This could be perceived as stereotypical because the line holds a judgemental tone and it possibly makes a reference about young mothers' washing hanging out to dry for everyone to see, which is undoubtedly snobbish. This could also be making a reference to the estate in which these young mothers live and bring up their children, it's untidy and unpleasant, overall an eyesore. Moreover, the mothers 'set free their children' which personifies the children because they are seen as animals who are uncontrollable and ill-mannered. They are caged up by their mothers who eventually 'set them free.'
'But their lovers are all in school'
This line has ambiguous content, this could suggest that love is only present during your youth; not during adult life, essentially meaning love deteriorates with age. However, this could indicate Larkin's personal judgement on young love and teenage pregnancy. He is mocking the fact that young men and women settle down with a child so young, they might as well be at 'school' because they still have a lot to learn.
'Their beauty has thickened'
Larkin described how the mother's beauty has 'thickened' which is interpreted as misogynistic. 'Thickened' connotes weight-gain and largeness, therefore the women have lost their natural beauty and charm. Larkin conveys the message that children and marriage causes stress and disappointment which has an effect on your appearance, making you unattractive and less desirable, possibly creating a loss of identity.
'Something is pushing them To the side of their own lives'
The final two lines of 'Afternoons' present the idea that the parents are no longer the main component of their own lives. The individuals now have children to provide for who have become their main focus, therefore they can no longer be selfish or self-serving. 'Afternoons' is linked to 'Dockery and Son' due to the fact that Larkin appears to highlight the negative reality of having children.
'Summer is fading'
Pathetic fallacy is used to enhance the depressing tone of the poem. In the first stanza, the idea that 'summer is fading' suggests the excitement and warmth of a marriage has faded, leaving behind dark and depressing events yet to unfold.
'In the hollows of afternoons'
The idea that women have no significant roles in life is portrayed as women are typically seen as 'stay at home mums' with no ambition or sense of purpose. 'Hollow' implies something without real significance or value, therefore this could suggest how Larkin perceives women. Nevertheless, 'Hollows of the afternoons' connotes unemployment, meaning the mothers are unqualified and uneducated. Moreover, Larkin uses age in reference to the mothers by calling them 'young' which essentially stresses his view of the importance concerning their youthfulness. Moreover, the fact that the males are all in 'skilled trades', whereas the occupation of the mothers appears either non-existent or not worth acknowledging indicates misogyny. Women are seen as the weaker sex, unlike the Male who is skilled and educated.
'An estate of washing'
This could be perceived as stereotypical because the line holds a judgemental tone and it possibly makes a reference about young mothers' washing hanging out to dry for everyone to see, which is undoubtedly snobbish. This could also be making a reference to the estate in which these young mothers live and bring up their children, it's untidy and unpleasant, overall an eyesore. Moreover, the mothers 'set free their children' which personifies the children because they are seen as animals who are uncontrollable and ill-mannered. They are caged up by their mothers who eventually 'set them free.'
'But their lovers are all in school'
This line has ambiguous content, this could suggest that love is only present during your youth; not during adult life, essentially meaning love deteriorates with age. However, this could indicate Larkin's personal judgement on young love and teenage pregnancy. He is mocking the fact that young men and women settle down with a child so young, they might as well be at 'school' because they still have a lot to learn.
'Their beauty has thickened'
Larkin described how the mother's beauty has 'thickened' which is interpreted as misogynistic. 'Thickened' connotes weight-gain and largeness, therefore the women have lost their natural beauty and charm. Larkin conveys the message that children and marriage causes stress and disappointment which has an effect on your appearance, making you unattractive and less desirable, possibly creating a loss of identity.
'Something is pushing them To the side of their own lives'
The final two lines of 'Afternoons' present the idea that the parents are no longer the main component of their own lives. The individuals now have children to provide for who have become their main focus, therefore they can no longer be selfish or self-serving. 'Afternoons' is linked to 'Dockery and Son' due to the fact that Larkin appears to highlight the negative reality of having children.
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