afternoons Flashcards
“IN THE HOLLOWS OF THE AFTERNOONS,YOUNG MOTHERS ASSEMBLE AT SWING AND SANDPIT SETTING FREE THEIR CHILDREN”what does this quote suggest?
Setting: The “hollows of the afternoons” suggests a quiet, secluded time of day, perhaps when the sun is beginning to wane, creating a serene atmosphere. This setting emphasizes the calm and reflective mood of the poem.
Imagery: “Young mothers assemble at swing and sandpit” conjures images of a community of mothers gathering in a playground, engaging in a communal activity. The swing and sandpit evoke childhood innocence and playfulness, contrasting with the responsibilities of motherhood.
Symbolism: The swing and sandpit symbolize childhood and freedom, representing the carefree nature of youth. By “setting free their children,” the mothers are not only physically releasing their children to play but also metaphorically allowing them to experience the joys and challenges of growing up.
Themes: This line explores themes of motherhood, the passage of time, and the contrast between adulthood and childhood. The mothers’ presence in the playground highlights their role in nurturing and guiding their children, while also reflecting on their own youth and the passage of time.
Emotion: The word “assemble” suggests a sense of togetherness and community among the mothers, while “setting free” conveys a mixture of emotions—pride in allowing their children to explore and grow, but also a sense of loss as they witness their children becoming more independent.
Overall, this line captures a tender moment of everyday life, offering insight into the complexities of motherhood and the fleeting nature of childhood
“BEHIND THEM AT INTERVALS, STAND HUSBANDS IN SKILLED TRADES”what does this quote suggest?
Literal Meaning: The phrase “Behind them at intervals, stand husbands in skilled trades” describes the scene of women with children playing in a park or similar setting, with their husbands occasionally present in the background. The husbands are depicted as being employed in skilled trades, indicating a certain level of stability and competence in their occupations.
Social Context: This line reflects the social dynamics of the time when the poem was written (1959). It portrays a traditional family structure where women often took care of the children while men went out to work. The mention of “skilled trades” suggests a working-class setting, where men typically held jobs that required specific skills or training.
Gender Roles: The division between the women taking care of the children and the men working in skilled trades highlights traditional gender roles prevalent during the time period. Women were primarily responsible for domestic duties and childcare, while men were expected to be the breadwinners of the family.
Economic Stability: The fact that the husbands are described as being in skilled trades suggests a certain level of economic stability for these families. Skilled trades often provide steady employment and a reliable income, contributing to the overall sense of security within these households.
Distance and Observation: The use of the word “intervals” suggests a certain distance or detachment between the husbands and their families. They are not directly involved in the activities of their wives and children but are rather observed from a distance, perhaps indicating a sense of estrangement or disconnection within the family unit.
For a Grade 9 analysis, it’s important to focus on understanding the literal meaning of the text, as well as considering its broader social and historical context. This analysis helps readers develop a deeper understanding of the themes and ideas conveyed in the poem
“AN ESTATEFUL OF WASHING,AND THE ALBUMS LETTERED, OUR WEDDING,LYING NEAR THE TELEVISION”what does this quote show?
“AN ESTATEFUL OF WASHING”: This phrase suggests a large amount of laundry, indicating the mundane chores and responsibilities of domestic life. It sets the scene of a suburban or residential environment where everyday tasks like laundry are a significant part of life. The use of “estateful” emphasizes the scale of the task, perhaps implying a sense of overwhelming routine or monotony.
“AND THE ALBUMS LETTERED, OUR WEDDING”: This part of the quote highlights the presence of photo albums, specifically one labeled “OUR WEDDING.” These albums represent memories and milestones of the past, in this case, the event of marriage. The act of lettering the albums suggests a meticulous organization or preservation of memories, possibly indicating a desire to hold onto the past or to maintain a sense of continuity amidst the passage of time.
“LYING NEAR THE TELEVISION”: The proximity of the wedding album to the television suggests that while the family’s history and memories are physically present, they are juxtaposed with the modernity and mundanity of television. This placement may symbolize the tension between the past and present, tradition and modernity, or personal intimacy and external distractions.
Overall, this quote captures a sense of the everyday domestic routine, the preservation of memories, and the juxtaposition of personal history with the distractions of modern life. It reflects themes of nostalgia, the passage of time, and the complexities of domesticity.
“BEFORE THEM,THE WIND IS RUINING THEIR COURTING PLACES”what does this quote suggest?
Literal Understanding: First, let’s understand the literal meaning of the quote. In the poem “Afternoons,” Larkin describes a scene where young couples are sitting in parks or other public places, spending time together. In this line, he describes how the wind is affecting these places where the couples meet and spend time together.
Symbolism of the Wind: The wind in this context can symbolize change or the passage of time. It suggests that the environment or circumstances in which these young couples meet are unstable or transient. Just as the wind can disrupt physical spaces, it hints at the transient nature of youth and love.
Theme of Transience: This quote reflects a theme commonly found in Larkin’s poetry, which is the theme of transience or the passage of time. The wind ruining the courting places implies that nothing stays the same forever and that even the moments of happiness or romance are fleeting.
Atmosphere and Mood: The image of the wind ruining their courting places creates a sense of melancholy or nostalgia. It suggests that the innocence and simplicity of youth are being disrupted or destroyed by external forces, which can evoke feelings of sadness or wistfulness.
Foreshadowing: This quote may also serve as foreshadowing for the rest of the poem, hinting at the inevitability of change and the loss of youthful innocence that will be further explored in the subsequent lines.
Overall, this quote from “Afternoons” by Philip Larkin offers a poignant reflection on the transient nature of youth and love, using the imagery of the wind to convey a sense of impermanence and nostalgia.
‘BUT THE LOVERS ARE ALL IN SCHOOL”what does this quote suggest?
Literal Understanding: The line suggests that while children are at school, separated from their families, young couples are free to spend time together. It contrasts the obligations of education with the freedom of romantic relationships.
Theme of Youth and Freedom: This quote highlights the theme of youth and freedom. It emphasizes the carefree nature of young love, where couples have the liberty to enjoy each other’s company while others are occupied with their responsibilities.
Contrast: The line contrasts the structured environment of school with the spontaneity of love. While students are bound by the routines and rules of education, lovers are depicted as liberated from such constraints, able to enjoy each other’s company without restrictions.
Symbolism of Love: Love is portrayed as a force that transcends the boundaries of societal norms and obligations. It flourishes in moments of freedom and leisure, symbolizing the purity and intensity of young relationships.
Imagery: The image of “lovers in school” evokes a sense of rebellion and secrecy. It suggests that love often thrives in hidden or unexpected places, away from the prying eyes of authority figures or societal expectations.
Emotional Impact: This line may evoke feelings of nostalgia for readers, reminding them of their own experiences of young love and the freedom it brought amidst the constraints of school life.
Overall, this quote captures the essence of youthful romance and the contrast between the structured world of education and the unrestrained realm of love.
“SOMETHING IS PUSHING THEM TO THE SIDE OF THEIR OWN LIVES”what does this show?
this how’s the the mothers are becoming spectators of their own lives and are slowly losing control
CONTEXT
-MEN WENT TO WORK
-WHEN A WOMEN BECAME A MOTHER IT WAS HER JOB TO PROVIDE A COMFORTING ENVIRONMENT
-WHITE GOODS WERE ONLY JUST BECOMING COMMERCIAL
-ENTERTAINMENT WAS WHAT YOU MADE IT
-LARKIN WAS BORN IN COVENTRY
-NEVER MARRIED, NEVER HAD CHILDREN,NEVER WENT ABROAD
-HAD A FLAT THAT OVERLOOKED THE LOCAL PARK AND CHILDRENS PLAY AREA
-CRITICS SAID HIS POETRY WAS MISERABLE AND NEGATIVE
