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.