Wild Oats - Larkin

Wild Oats is the story of meeting two girls and the occuring relationship between one that soon sadly died away. From this poem we see the persona talk of first meeting the girls and all the activities they did whilst they were together. But within the final stanza we then begin to piece the story a great deal more with finding out what the persona's real thoughts are on the two girls. From reading this poem the audience gets the impression of the persona only choosing the girl in glasses for she was second best. He was not able to get the best for she mocked him and is seen from the second stanza within the line, "She was trying Both times (so I thought) not to laugh." From within the third stanza we see also that he doesnt want to bother with the whole commitement side of relationships and shuts away from that and is seen within that final stanza. This perfect women that he has pictured in his mind is all an illusion of what he hopes love is for him but when it comes to actually getting it, it seems that he rushes out to escape it for something better. From this we see that the persona is really doomed to be alone forever. Finally within the final line stating "Unlucky charms, perhaps" we see that the items of the second girl have been unlucky for him due to the fact that he was never truly dedicated to his relationship with the girl in glasses. She was really a stepping stone to gain this idealised version of the perfect women. But the perfect women was out of his reach and will always remain as an illusion to him.

Self's the Man - Larkin

Another one of Larkins relationship poems is Self's the Man which implies to us readers a view of a selfish persona telling us how married life is for Arnold. From this poem we see a soft, simple and upbeat rhyme which is different to the various other poems I have read so far from Larkin, for example, Here and The Whitsun Weddings. This limic poem informs the readers that the persona is joking but we begin to wonder how much we can take as being serious and how much is a joke as we continue through the poem. The persona is portrayed as being selfish whilst Arnold is placed as being a far better man than what the persona is. As we listen to the persona go on in the stanzas we first get the impression of him making Arnold seem lonely and desperate to get into marriage from the first stanza. But as we continue through the stanzas we begin to feel sorry for the character for he has little time to himself and to be free. This is also shown by the persona with the phrase, "He has no time at all". Later on however we see a change in the persona's words as he begins to use questions and talks directly to the reader with the stanza, "But wait, not do fast: Is there such a contrast? He was out for his own ends Not just pleasing his friends;" From this stanza the audience is able to see clearly that the persona is not as selfish as he is made to seem. Arnold had a choice in becoming married and had chosen it far too quickly and the persona is merely suggesting to the audience that we should not take pity on him for it was his own free will. We then begin to think why we should truly feel sorry for Arnold for he has brought this upon himself and is the persona really as selfish as he has been made out with not taking on the role as husband, partner, provider and father. From this we see that there is rethinking of marriage occuring in the poem and shows unselfishness cross the mind of the persona. From reading all the poem so far the audience is told that married life is boring, unsatisfying, stressful and as a whole being a living hell. Whilst having this opposite life like the persona, where you are free from marriage, you are alone, uncontrolled, at peace and is placed as heaven. Finally within the final stanzas we see from the line, "At knowing what I can stand!" implies to us readers that he is asking us why we should feel sorry for Arnold since he has made this decision to get married and he has made the wrong decision. This then finally comes to the point that what ever choices you make in life you should not moan about them like how the character Arnold did. Altogether we see that this poem has a repetitive rhyming scheme and is almost like an everyday routine within reality.

Talking In Bed - Larkin

After looking at a few of Larkins poems we see that the main theme is the thought of a journey, or a journey through life and death. Talking In Bed however is based upon another theme of Larkins which shows the enduring love poem of a middle-aged couple. From this poem we see that there relationship has lasted and has been a long one throughout the years. From the first and second stanza we see the contrast of the words "easiest" and "unrest" and also the contrast of "talking in bed" and "silently". From these opposites we see that the couple is really not communicating and also finds it uneasy. From the first stanza also we see that the couple have been together for many years with the second line of the poem and also that they have a shield of comfort with the word "emblem" used. Within the second and third stanza we see that there has been a philisophical shift in the middle of the poem and we see that the persona is not just talking about the people lying in bed but also talking about a far greater picture that makes them appear small and minute in this image. We also see this within the second line on the second stanza for it shows that nothing matters to this couple that is occuring on the outside, they only care of what is occuring on the inside with them. We then finally see that there is a triplet rhyme in the final stanza instead of a double like the others. This implies to the audience that there is nothing new occuring and it is always the same. We see also within the final stanza that there is no contrast but has the phrase, "Words at once true and kind, Or not untrue and not unkind" from this we see that at times the couple is unable to find words that are not a hundred per cent true but are a hundred per cent kind. Or to be a hundred per cent kind but not a hundred per cent true. We can not have both so for them it is best to sit in silence to make both happy and to be truthful. The only time that we see a hundred per cent of kindness and being truthful is at the beginning of a relationship, and this relationship is within the middle-age era. From the line above this we see that there is a hint of deteriorating relationship occuring for they have no need to talk and there is no awkwardness around them. In reality, the are comfortable being together and not alone. This poem is able to link to Here for it has the hidden image of seeing a bigger picture outside the details of an event occuring. Larkins use of rhyme has allowed the audience to see the sudden change in his words with this shift indicating that there is a bigger picture compared to our own lives.

Ambulances - Larkin

From Larkin's poem known as "Ambulances" the audience is able to see the rhyme being presented as being unsatisfying with the half rhymes provided in the poem. These half rhymes that Larkin places into the poem are only positioned on the first and last stanza and instantly implies to the readers that we might not be satisfyied with the unknown ending that is to come. This then brings us onto the thoughts of words such as, "confessionals" and "thread" that he also uses within the first stanza. From this we get the impression of things being private and enclosed from view and are also piecing together or fixing the damage. This brings into the context of the though, "hanging by a thread" which implies to us that after this event you can go either way, good or bad, and are balanced until this occurs. From the first stanza having these half rhymes we see the pattern of A, B, C, B, C, A on each line with having C as the half rhyme. This is repeated through the last stanza also to portray life is one routine after the other and after all these routines are over we will die. This sequence is different however in the middle stanzas with having no half rhymes but instead have various words to give us a more indepth opinion on what the persona is trying to say. The words "strewn" and "stowed" are key words that are used within the second stanza and give us the impression that it is dismantled and scattered and also hidden from everyone else. This then leads us onto the thought of how casual everyone is within their lives and shows us just how vulnerable everyone really is when something drastic happens. Throughout this poem we see that Larkin has used demotic language to show us just a description of the everyday lifestyles of all the people. Within this poem, there is no sneariness presented throughout. Within the third stanza we get the phrase, "solving emptiness that lies just under all we do" which shows the readers the shock that everyone feels after an accident has happened. From this we see that every problem everyone wants to fix and has to find a solution but the only worry after an accident is the solution to death. Reality then begins to hit the readers. This is also seen with the repitition of the word "and" throughout that stanza to show just how much this poem is similar to the reality of death and life. From stanza four we see the word "blend" which implies to the readers of the thought of sewing. With this you see that the more thread placed together makes it stronger and is created into the fabric of life. This also suggests that once damaged the fabric begins to unravell and finally that there will be death at the end and then nothing. Within the last stanza we are then shown the half rhyme once more and also the positive and negative side of the phrase, "exchange of love". For the positive side we see a more romantic and mutual idea whilst the negative side suggests a transaction and appears cold hearted towards the readers. Altogether we see that when accidents happen everyone begins to realise what is really important and as we grow older we see that these things importance to us begins to fade. It then comes to the conclusion that the desire to not die keeps everyone going.

So far from reading a few of Larkins poems I have been able to notice a few links to connect the poems together. Already the audience can see this poem and The Whitsun Weddings have the contrast of the start of something, whilst the other poem to be the end of something. We then see the poem Here to have the link of a journey and also the description of where people live. Then finally the link of Ambulances to Dockery and Son with the description of how life changes so drastically and ends with the result of death no matter what people do.

Dockery and Son - Larkin

"Dockery and Son" is another poem by Larkin and is about the persona returning back to university and discovering that time has drastically changed since he was there. This poem is a good example of stating that you are limited by your own actions and that everything in life can go by quickly. From the first two stanzas we see the description of the university and at the end of the second stanza we see the shock the persona has as he realises that his old friend from university has his own son. With this we begin to see a sudden change of tone within the persona as we continue through the stanzas. The third stanza seems as though it is like a diary entry with how he simply explains his journey home with falling asleep and eating "an awful pie". We then begin to get some imagery from Larkins poem with the quote, "the ranged joining and parting lines reflect a strong unhindered moon" This quotation implies to the readers of a metaphor that Larkin has used to portray the many choices we have within our lives. The tracks are constantly changing, like our decisions and options that we are provided with. As we continue through to the next stanza the persona begins to realise that he is now a middle aged man and no longer the young man that studied at university like he once was.Through this stanza we also see him compare himself to Dockery and how different he is from the others by the quote "how much had gone of life, how widely from the others." As we continue to the next stanza we see that he has made his description much deeper than before for most of this stanza suggests to us readers that having children can be a positive and negative in our lives. To some it could be a way to increase and make things better for the world we live in, but for others it seems to weaken them. This would also suggest that people, like Larkin, feel like they lose their power and freedom when they have children whilst people that find it to be a positive make it seem like a way to become whole and complete. This is a key theme of the perspective of children as is the theme of the journey itself. Both of these themes are important as the stanzas continue towards the end. From the end of this stanza and continuing to the next we see that there is no free will and suggests that the choices we make are never based on free will no matter how much we belief them to be. There is also the occuring thought that after every decision we make we can not go back to where we were before since it is in the past. Through the last stanza we are given deep description on how everything is just a big mystery towards us and we are constantly making choices that we are never certain of or have full power over. There is also an epiphany within this poem too which tells us that life goes quickly and that the choices you make in life determine what will happen to you. From Larkins poem we see alot of religious images and themes linking towards his words and we begin to see that Larkin does this in this poem to allow us to choose whether it is a good or bad point. Even though he is not religious himself, he places this into his poem to allow his readers to get a better sense of what is occuring.

Here - Larkin

Larkins poem "Here" is about the journey to Hull through the eyes of the persona. Throughout this poem we see many references to movement and speed but also there is many points provided by Larkin that shows a negative and positive description of the place. From within the first stanza we see a range of movement with the words "swerving", "halt" and "gathers". This continues through each stanza and is shown with the different language that Larkin has presented within the poem. Within this poem we also see the positive and negative aspects that describe the setting. Throughout the poem we see the words "rich", "pastoral" and "doors to their desires" which gives the impression towards the reader that it is a well looked after and relaxing place to be. The negative words that are shown within this poem are "Too thin and thistled", "harsh named" and "scattered". From these words the audience gets the impression of another side of this place. From the mix of these two points we see that there is a peaceful and idealised thought to this journey but also has the contrast of being shabby and smeary due to the people that live within the town. Throughout Larkin providing us with these words we see that he has placed them within a list and we also see that they are materialistic as the poem carries on. As we continue through the stanzas we see this constant change of negative and positive aspects of various scenes and images but as we reach the final stanza, the persona provides us with an epiphany that has a lot more detail towards it. With the key quote "where removed lives Loneliness clarifies" suggests to the audience that loneliness is not just a bad thing. It can also be a good thing towards people and can act as an advantage. The persona also begins to add more of the positive aspects in this last stanza and many that can be either good or bad. Altogether the final stanza seems to be ambiguous and as we end with looking out over a beach we see that there is the thought of potential and hope occuring. "Facing the sun, untalkative, out of reach" is the final line from the poem and informs the reader of nothing then good points about life now. To the reader we see that there is plenty of potential and hope to gain and they are able to continue dreaming a dream that is not controlled, just completely free. There is an aspiration to reach and we see this with Larkin making the poem become abstract as the end once more. We are looking at the bigger picture of life from Larkins words. 

The Whitsun Weddings - Larkin

The Whitsun Weddings is the explaination of a long train journey from Hull to London, whilst passing by the farewell to a newly wed couple. From each stanza we see a different description unfold each time the audience continues to read on. Larkin presents to the audience a wide range of negative and positive points whilst reading "The Whitsun Weddings" and is shown through the many different methods of language he uses throughout. Within the first stanza, Larkin explains the agony of the hot weather and describes the scenery from the train window. As this continues on to stanza two we see that he is being negative with the use of words such as, "industrial froth" and "hedges dipped". There is also the sense of a positive attitude within this with many words that have a lulling sound towards them and tells the audience that this journey is peaceful towards the speaker for he is almost falling asleep within the blazing heat. From the next two stanzas we see a sudden change in our speaker from being sleepy and not having any care to what is occuring to a sudden curiousity with the outside world and is eager to take on further interest. At first he positions it to be nothing more then horrid sounds with the words "whoops" and "noise" but he soon takes further interests and describes many different characters that have been brought in by the leaving of a newly wed couple. As we continue through the stanza we see that one of the key themes is being loss. This is first shown with the word "irresolutely" which tells the audience that the people upon the platform are no longer needed and are uncertain on what to do now that the main reason has left the station. The next description being of the people on the platform is placed as being very negative and shows to the readers that he is placing them as mere working class people. He is looking down upon them whilst this is to be an enjoyable day. We continue further through the stanzas and we see another key theme of religion pop up into the text. From this we are able to see that there is a negative and a positive side to marriage. From Larkins speakers perspective we see that marriage is really a "religious wounding" which informs the audience that after you have been married you can never be whole again. Once you are married that is the end of being single and free and having a wider range of youth and independence in your life. On the positive side it seems that they are able to grow and adapt and have there on amount of potential to continue through life but has that side that you will never be as you were before. As the audience continue through the final stanzas we see that another key theme of this poem is of the actual journey himself. Larkin uses a wide amount of language techniques such as rule of three, similies, metaphors, personification and enjambment to describe this whole journey and with this allows the audience to get the full picture within there head. Within the end the audience also sees an example of an epiphany occuring as we are shown that really once a couple is married they are then heading on the crossroads to the future.

First Impressions of Larkin

From reading several of Larkins poems today, i found that alot of his work has different moods and emotions between them but still have a link towards one or more other poems. Within some poems by Larkin we get the mood that its meant to be up beat and bouncy when read aloud with his placement of rhyming words. It gives the reader a positive feeling towards what he is trying to get across. One of his key themes I found was the continuous connection from poems to do with death and life. Alot of Larkins poems are based upon the feeling of dying and the world around with all that is occuring. He shows different views of people from some poems but others tell a journey of some description which states a memory or an event that provides the reader with how Larkin wants you to feel. To me I find there to be a lot of emotions by the words he has used and also with how each poem is written. Some poems that Larkin has wrote are short and simple and appear up beat to the reader, whilst some are continuous and have a more down beat to them with repetition of down beat words. Altogether I find that Larkins poems have a further story within each one as we analyse them further in class.