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.