Afternoons

Question 1

What is it about

Answer 1

Young mothers are described, watching their children as they play on the swings

Question 2

Who is the poet

Answer 2

Philip Larkin

Question 3

‘Summer is fading’

Answer 3

Seasons changing. The best (summer) is gone- youth.

Happiness is coming to an end.

Question 4

‘Young mothers assemble’

Answer 4

Not actually old, suggest it’s a ritual. They have to attend. Not meet which would suggest they want to be there.

Question 5

‘Our wedding, lying near the television’

Answer 5

Emptiness in domestic life. Had a romantic wedding, but it’s now shut in album. Not really looked at, but on display.

Question 6

‘Expect to be taken home’

Answer 6

There to serve their children. Suggests children make demands on their mothers, they have no choice

Question 7

‘Something is pushing them to the side of their own lives’

Answer 7

Lack of control over their own lives- just there to serve others.

Question 8

What are the three different stanzas about

Answer 8

1) mothers assemble
2) how their lives have changed
3) they’re getting old