Love Songs in Age

This poem is different to the majority of Larkin's main poems. The title itself holds an idea that music holds memories from different periods of our life and that for the majority of people it can relate.

The women in this poem is a musician and writes music. The fact she kept her songs show that they meant something to her. Each piece of music represents her memories and the fact each are marked with a significant feature (happiness, children) may symbolise a happy lifestyle  The "sunny space" and the fact she "mended" show she fixed it, as is shows value to her.
She has a sense of being lonely because she is "widowed" and a loss of youth as a "sense of being young" and that rediscovering her music has blossomed her young life again. Also she seems keen on her future and the "certainty of time laid up in store" and what her future holds. In the third stanza Larkin uses the word "glare" to show how blinding or hurtful love can be and that to put music back is so hard to cry without "admitting how it had not done so then, and could not now." The fact she cant face the truth and that 'love' couldn't make her happy.
In line 7, Larkin uses personification of "they had waited" the idea of her music notes and papers waiting isn't realistic. Larkin's reference to young is used quite often. "sense of being young" and "time laid up in store" both suggest the loss of youth and the full promise youth brings yet the change and regret you have to face but in doing so, you can't relive the past, can't be young anymore. Over time your love changes and may cause you disappointment.

An Arundel Tomb

Stone monument in Chichester Catherdral.

Stanza 1:

• "side by side"- shows intimacy
• "faces blurred"- over time their features have become less clear, main intentions become lost.

stanza 2:

• "pre-baroque"- era in art terms.
• "holding her hand"- shows respect and love. (symbolism)

stanza 3:

• "lie so long"- didn't expect it to become an emblem.
• "sweet commissioned grace"- sculptor added it as a form of respect, (ref. to holding hands)
• "Latin names" no one understands the Latin anymore, only go by the knowledge rather than true meaning. Love (symbols) can cover the true meaning.

stanza 4:

• "stationary voyage"- oxymoron, if its 'stationary' its still yet a 'voyage' is a journey. Voyage through time and different era's.
• "to look, not read"- people follow the looks of the statue not the true meaning

stanza 5:

• "snow fell undated" "summer thronged"- seasons change along with time.
• "altered people"- different generations have passed but all know the statue.

stanza 6:

• "washing"- could symbolise the statues wearing away but also sadness of their lose.
• "attitude remains"- sense of hope, idea that love can remain.

stanza 7:

• "time has transfigured them into untruth"- over time they've changed and the main emblem is changing, people see what they want to see.

"Our almost-instinct almost true: What will survive of us is love"- this is an optimistic summary of Larkin's view on love, the use of 'us' is more collective showing it includes everyone. The idea that love can last even after death, love still survives perhaps implying love is like a soul and will never disappear. The statue wasn't meant to be famous for holding hands but that has become the main symbol and its the only symbol people can visualise as they don't know the whole story they only go by the looks. Small details are most important and keep emotions together.  

Take One Home For The Kiddies.

'Take one Home for the Kiddies.'

                                        On shallow straw, in shadeless glass,    pet shop, trapped
                                                       Huddled by empty bowls, they sleep:   company and warmth needed
              No dark, no dam, no earth, no grass -

                                           Mam, get us one of them to keep.    - spoilt and demanding
                                          Living toys are something novel,   not animals just toys
                                   But it soon wears off somehow.     loss of devotion
                  Fetch the shoebox, fetch the shovel -

             Mam, we're playing funerals now.

 just a game and no care

 

From the title alone Larkin mocks the parents the term 'kiddies' could imply they are small and harmless which isn't entirely true. Again Larkin is mocking the working class using 'mam' is a northern term. This poem seems to imply that Larkin isn't a fan of pet shops or anything that is cruelty to animals.

Themes:

• cruelty to pets- the animals are kept in small confined spaces.
• cruelty of children- don't treat them right, have no devolution towards them.
• playing vs. living- to the children having a pet is just a game from beginning to end.
 



Toads/ Toads Revisited

'Toads' is a poem about working. In both poems the title 'Toads' is a metaphor for people working.

The first poem 'Toads' is how Larkin doesn't really enjoy work, he explains how work makes money and the main reason you work is to receive that money. Larkin uses irony to cover envy when describing the homeless as he says they seem to enjoy [eating windfall and tinned sardines] Larkin is then sarcastic when describing the "unspeakable wives" and how they are so skinny yet "no one actually starves" this shows they have very little money, and compared to others aren't surviving yet his use of italics may imply that its not believable and they must be malnourished and starving due to lack of food.
The use of "something toad-like squats in me too" implies something bad is happening and perhaps emphasises his laziness or self doubt. Near the end of this poem Larkin writes about his dream of "fame and the girl and the money" which is a typical dream for many yet he wants it "all at one sitting" so he doesn't want to work for it but he needs too.
 The last stanza sums up the poems as Larkin explains the idea of working.
" its hard to lose either, when you have both" this sums up the idea of working for a dream and if you lose both sides (living and working) you wont survive because they rely on one another. If you cant have one there's little possibility of keeping the other. Therefore in order to survive you need to be able to have a job and have some income to keep your life well.

In 'Toads Revisited' Larkin's attitude has changed slightly. He still describes the work avoiders but this time for reasons, he mainly talks about the "characters in long coats" meaning the homeless and the out-patients from hospitals and "palsied old step tankers" elderly and people who have aged as having reasons for not working therefore he almost has sympathy. But as they are unemployed they just watch everyone and are looking into others lives. Larkin shows how anything should feel better than work yet wherever he goes doesn't suit him, e.g. the playground is not a "bad place" yet it "doesn't suit[him] because he feels out of place.
Finally his last line sums his change in mood.

"give me your arm ,old toad, help me down Cemetery road"

• he wants work to help him till the end of his life and keep him going with a good lifestyle till the end. Rather than be like the lonely people who look into others lives.

Afternoons

This poem is set in 1950's and is about the working class. Larkin's view from this poem is quite snobbish. The political positioning of the poem is generally quite snobbish and judgemental. This poem  may reflect Larkin's feelings and the idea that he's jealous of their care free lifestyle and how they all work together and find relaxed company with one another.

Pathetic Fallacy:

• "summer is fading"- idea that things are changing and growing colder. The seasons coming to an end.
• "unripe acorns"- again the idea of change but the growth and innonce of growing and changing.

People:

• "young mothers assemble"- emphasis is on the 'young' here Larkin may be judging but also the fact they b'assemble' gives a sense of organisation and purpose.
• "Husbands in skilled trades"-  Larkin here seems to have more respect for the males as they work hard in manual labour.
• "setting free"- the children are set free, gives a sense of bordem with little escape.

Changes over time:

• "thickened"- could symbolise the mothers getting older and fatter but also could imply the younger ones are growing up and getting prettier.
• "ruining their courting place"- generations change and traditions/lifestyle get lost or ruined. Perhaps implies a loss of hope between the couples that once met and had fun there.

Social class:

• Larkin never really has a complete negative view on the poorer classes and if he did he hides it within his writing. In this social class no money is needed as they get on with their own life's and are happy enough.
• "setting free"-  this is used in regards to the children, it could show that they have more trust with their children and let them do their own thing as they need to grow up quickly in that environment compared to other social classes.

Techniques:

• no rhyme or consistency- free of things, has no strong feelings.
• Pathetic fallacy- to show their moods and how they change
• Contrast- "summer fading" to "new recreation ground"- new era beginning against the old ending, gives a sense of hope.

Dockery and Son

Dockery and Son:

Larkin in this poem is reliving his life at university and how his life has changed. There are many clues this poem is about uni such as: "black-gowned" "dean" "stand before a desk." However Larkin relises that someone who once knew now has a son here, making Larkin feel old as his generation has now passed. The quote"i try the door of where i used to live:locked" this may suggest that you cant relive the past and whats behind you can't come back so its better left untouched and 'locked' away from change. Also the idea he is "ignored" also suggests he is invisable and not interesting, he isnt young enough and yet is surrounded by young people which you get from the main age band of 19-21yrs when the majority are away at university.
Also the fact Larkin adds the fact he "ate an awfull pie" seems abit pointless and an odd detail to add to the poem suggests he is in a bad mood and the tone implys at this point in time everything is awful.
Larkin makes reference to his own life in this poem as he uses "no son, no wife" which prehaps reminds him o his own life and how much "had gone from life" suggests to the audience how he feels about his own life, how different it is to others.
Larkin raise the qeustion of why anyone would have children, this is shown th
rough the idea of Increase vs dilution-  this is shown in the 5th stanza the idea that he feels his identity would be diluted or lost if he had children. He would lose himself and would not be able to be selfish as he would have to look after others. This portrays him as being vain and full of self importance.

In the last stanza he has a negtive view of life:

"Life is first boredom, then fear.

whether or not we use it, it goes, and            we will all die at some point

leaves what something hidden from us chose,

and age, and then the only end of age"            the end of a life, death.

This pessimistic view gives Larkin a negetive view on life as the idea that when your young you are bored yet when you are old you fear age, you fear the end of age (death)

Self's The Man

This poem is about Larkins self doubt and about him being selfish due to him being single. Larkin expresses his view through his friend 'Arnold' who is married with children .

Marrige:
Larkins view on marrige in this poem is quite negetive he describes a marrige as claustrophobic with the idea the partner is 'there all day' and you cant escape. Therefore you need to be careful for what you wish for as it may become bad. Larkins puts some speech in italics such as 'Put a screw in this wall'  this may imply its an order and a nagging from the wife. Larkin has a cynical vew on marrige as he uses the word 'van' which could imply that marrige can drive you insane and therefore you should leave before this happens.
 Women:
The way women are presented in this peice is again very negetive. He portrays them as needy and selfish as while he is working his partner is spending money however the money may be used for the children rather than herself. Larkin uses sterotypical views in this poem as he way he describes how he invites her to 'come for the summer' shows a typical in-law relationship many of the audience can relate too.
Conclusion:
The conclusion at the end of the poem is very unexpected. Larkin implys afterall him and Arnold are similar as they are both selfish. Arnold's marrige was 'for his own sake', to stop his wife leaving. However only difference between them is that Larkin know's where he stand in a marrige and what he can/can't put up with, which is partly the reason he is still single.

"He married a woman to stop her getting away
Now she's there all day,"                      
                                "He has no time at all"

              "And that letter to her mother"                       "He still did it for his own sake"
 

"So he and I are the same"             

 

"Only I'm a better hand
At knowing what I can stand"

Talking in Bed

Talking in bed ought to be easiest,    (the fact it isn't easy)                 

Lying together there goes back so far,

An emblem of two people being honest.  (paradox- two truths become a lie)             

 

Yet more and more time passes silently  (nothing to communicate)         

Outside, the wind's incomplete unrest     (uncomfortable, tension)            
Builds and disperses clouds in the sky,                

 

And dark towns heap up on the horizon.  (no freedom, cant escape)                
None of this cares for us. Nothing shows why

 At this unique distance from isolation     (loneliness, unhappy)          

 It becomes still more difficult to find
 Words at once true and kind,  (things change)          

Or not untrue and not unkind   (absence in intimacy, cant be honest)               

 

 

 

This poem is about Larkin's relationship, from the title itself you can gain some understanding of what the poem is about.

• Romantic couple
• no distraction
• intimacy- private conversation
• in the evening.

There are many themes that may be taken from this poem. The idea of pessimistic vs. realism is echoed as Larkin's view on relationships are quite negative as it suggests all relationships are like this and after a long period of time they get boring. It also shows how human nature is and how people act in relationships and with each other. Larkin also echo's an anti women theme that you have to be careful what you say to women as you cant upset them. You can never tell anyone the truth as it may hurt their feelings.

Here

'Here' is a poem of a journey from an industrial city to a rural landscape. The first three stanza's are from an industrial view, Larkin uses a lot of imagery to form a setting of this poem. The last few stanza's are the change of busy city life to the calmer rural landscape.
One main theme in Larkin's 'Here' is the romantic view VS the industrialised view, this idea is used by 'thin and thistled to be called a meadow,' the idea of thistles being sharp and danger acting in contrast with a meadow often associated with a romantic, happier view. Larkin also uses nature as an occasional offer of hope and nature is generally calmer.
Larkin's view of the industrial area is quite negative. We get an idea that it's a busy shipping town with the 'pastoral ships,' along with the 'barge crowded water.' Larkin offers the idea that the area is  quite deprived as the people from 'raw estates' the idea of 'raw' being unpleasant or painful- not a nice area to live.  His idea that only 'salesmen and relations come' to the town shows he feels the people within the area aren't important and therefore a 'cut-priced crowd.' 
The end stanza is quite pessimistic. The idea of a 'beach,' is a calmer sensation which offers opportunity and a new start which is then contrasted with it being 'out of reach,' showing you will never be able to reach your dream.

' Domes and statues, spikes and cranes cluster'- a contrast of domes sound appealing and richer compared to cranes being destructive and un attractive.




 'Piled gold clouds, the shining gull-marked mud' - again a contrast in 'gold' and 'mud.' nature is more appealing but is undermined.

• 'Cheap suits, red kitchenware, sharp shoes, iced lollies.'- all of these words give a sense on unpleasantness (cheap, red ,iced, sharp) They may suggest danger or unpleasant beginnings along with Larkin's pessimistic views.

  

The Whitsun Weddings

In this poem, Larkin is on  train journey, at first the train seems empty and quiet but as it enters more stations Larkin describes the scenes as newly wed couples get on the train heading to London for their honeymoons.
Larkin describes the girls as being different in 'lemons ,mauve, olive ochre's that marked the girls from the rest,' this idea gives us the sense Larkin is trying to be polite about the fact they don't look very nice. The colours he describes are colours that naturally you may not put together so, the girls would obviously stand out. The fathers are shown to have 'broad belts,' again Larkin is trying to cover his offensiveness of the quote in a politer manner. Perhaps showing he has more respect for males as he talks about the mother being 'loud and fat' suggesting he isn't too keen on this type of person.
From the beginning of the poem, Larkin's mood changes. It starts being calm as he states 'all sense
of being in a hurry gone,' and the warmth from a 'sunlit Saturday' is then ruined by the 'noise' and the idea the 'sun destroys' what Larkin is trying to see.

The significance of this poem is that Larkin isn't a part of the weddings, he can just see them from the carriage window. Giving a sense of isolation on his part and perhaps jealousy that he isn't a part of these celebration's as he seems to have a negative view toward the families weddings.

• Oxymoron- words that contradict each other- Larkin uses this term when describing the weddings as 'happy funerals.' The idea of an old life ending and a new happier life beginning.