Duffy and Larkin - Context Flashcards
What about Larkin influenced poems such as Wild Oats and Self’s the Man?
He never married but had numerous sexual and unfaithful relationships with women
Which of Larkin’s relationships is referred to sardonically in Wild Oats?
Ruth Bowman - whom he met in 1944, engaged in 1948 but split in 1950
What was ‘The Movement’?
A term coined by J.D. Scott to describe a group of writers who employed a quintessentially English tone in their dignified, simple and sensuous writing
What was ‘The Movement’ inspired by politically?
The collapse of the British Empire and the UK’s reduction in power and influence in international geo-politics
What is a defining characteristic of the poetry of ‘The Movement’?
There opposition to modernist literature and nostalgia for old England the decay of traditional rural life
Give 2 other writers from ‘The Movement’.
Robert Conquest and John Wain
What national feeling is reflected in Larkin’s pessimistic tone?
The loss of the ‘glory’ of the British Empire and a sense of resentment toward the austere and mediocre Welfare State which replaced it
How did the Welfare State contribute to a sense of national disappointment which Larkin reflects?
Constant disagreements over funding and the diversion of taxation meant it was never fully implemented and did not meet its promised potential
How was Larkin influenced by Hardy?
Inspired him to write with greater austerity and link experience and emotion with detailed settings
How did the social context of post-war Britain affect Larkin’s poetry and observation?
Reconstruction following destitution and destruction invited a more modern and distinct social climate - changes in class and culture relations
How was British society altered by international politics of the mid 20th century?
Loss of international influence and decolonisation impacted the British economy, causing increasing depletion in British society - also increasing immigration made society increasingly multi-cultural
What political views may be evident in Larkin’s poetry?
Right-wing, conservative - influences his position as an outsider in liberalising society
How was sex increasingly liberalised in the 1960s?
The pill was legalised in 1961, presenting increasingly positive attitudes
How was Larkin affected by conscription during WW2?
He evaded military conscription due to poor eyesight, allowing him to continue his degree
When did the last conscription term in the UK end?
1963
What was Larkin’s class background?
Middle class, from Coventry
When was Whitsun Weddings published?
1964
Why was Larkin never poet laureate?
Had a distaste for fame, working instead in university libraries
When was Duffy born?
1955
What did Duffy become in 2009?
The first female poet laureate
What was Duffy’s religious background?
Glaswegian Roman Catholics
What is colloquial lyricism? (Duffy)
Experimental and colloquial poetry, accused of using unpoetic language - accessible
How does Duffy’s poetry deal with gender?
Strongly feminist - gives voices to female characters with confidence and sexual liberty
What and roughly when was third-wave feminism?
1990s-2000s - continued work of second wave feminism but with a greater focus on challenges met by women of different races, sexualities, classes etc
What and roughly when was second-wave feminism?
1960s-80s - focussed on substantive equality critiquing patriarchal institutions and issues such as domestic violence and rape
When did Thatcher resign?
1990
What characterises the post-Thatcherite era?
Rising inequality, erosion of public services and social discontent
Where did Duffy move when she was 6?
Stafford
How was Duffy influenced by the Liverpool Poets Movement?
She lived romantically with Adrian Henri from 16, who was a ‘Mersey Sound’ poet
What characterises Mersey Sound poetry?
Accessibility, humour, liveliness and melancholy
Mersey Sound - Brannigan
‘accessibility, relevance and a lack of pretension’
When was Mean Time published?
1993
What were Larkin’s dates?
1922-85
