Larkin Poems Flashcards
give 2 pieces of context for ‘Coming’
- Thomas Hardy
- Anti-Romanticism`
how does Thomas Hardy link to ‘Coming’?
Larkin alludes to the Darkling Thrush; here, the idea of hope is presented, but from an unknown source, or something that is not understood: ‘some blessed Hope, whereof he knew / And I was unaware’ `
how is anti-Romanticism used in ‘Coming’?
- Larkin interpreted modern reality with a realistic, clear, colloquial style that discarded both Romanticism and Modernism. This gives Larkin’s poetry a kind of simplicity and accessibility.
- In Romantic poetry, the poet engages in a deep philosophising over the soul and sublime landscapes. Larkin’s poetry is also personal, but he never highlights a sage-like wisdom in the speaker.
give 2 pieces of context for ‘Reasons for Attendance’
- Larkin’s Hobbies
- Sad-Eyed Realism
how do Larkin’s hobbies link to ‘Reasons for Attendance’
Larkin was a huge fan of jazz music, writing regular jazz reviews for the Daily Telegraph. He once commented, ‘I can live a week without poetry, but not a day without jazz.’
what is ‘sad-eyed realism’?
Larkin referred to his own work as ‘sad-eyed realism’- poetry depicting the pain, uncertainty, and compromise of everyday life
give 2 pieces of context for ‘Going’
- Sad-Eyed Realism
- preoccupation with death
how is Larkin’s preoccupation with death reflected in ‘Going’?
Larkin’s poems were written in the shadow of WWII - an event which led to a significant loss of life - and just before the Cold War, when nuclear testing was becoming more common, foreshadowing further loss of life. This helps explain Larkin’s focus on death and mortality.
give 2 pieces of context for ‘Wants’
- Larkin’s Literary Career
- Preoccupation with Death
how does larkin’s literary career link to ‘wants’?
- Larkin only published three main volumes of poetry during his lifetime: The Less Deceived (1955), The Whitsun Weddings (1964), and High Windows (1974). Although he was a popular and successful poet during his lifetime, Larkin shunned the literary limelight, leading to his nickname, ‘the hermit of Hull’.
- Larkin was awarded the CBE for his contribution to literature but later rejected the prestigious position ‘poet laureate’, preferring to remain private and focus on his work.
how is larkin’s preoccupation with death reflected in ‘wants’?
Larkin’s poems were written in the shadow of WWII – an event which led to a significant loss of life – and just before The Cold War, when nuclear testing was becoming more common – foreshadowing further loss of life. This helps to explain Larkin’s focus on death and mortality in various poems from The Less Deceived.
give 3 pieces of context for maiden name
- Larkin and Winifred Arnott
- Larkin’s Childhood
- Post-WWII Marriage
how does winifred arnott link to maiden name
Much to Larkin’s disappointment, his relationship with Winifred Arnott was never romantic - she later became engaged to another man.
how does larkin’s childhood link to maiden name
Larkin’s parents endured a difficult marriage which was keenly felt by Larkin during his childhood
how does post-wwii marriage link to maiden name
Larkin believed that those who married post-WWII did so for legal purposes and convenience rather than love; Larkin had a cynical view of this behaviour
give 2 pieces of context for born yesterday
- Philip Larkin and Kingsley Amis
- Voice and Social Exclusion
how does kingsley amis link to born yesterday
- Larkin and Amis met at St John’s College, Oxford, and became life long friends. Larkin dedicates his poem ‘Born Yesterday’ to Amis’ daughter, Sally.
- Larkin encourages Sally to reject stereotypical notions of femininity establish in ’50s Britain
how does voice link to born yesterday
Larkin establishes an outsider voice in various poems in The Less Deceived, such as Wants. The speaker likewise adopts an outsider voice in Born Yesterday.
give 2 pieces of context for wires
- Larkin and the Movement
- This England - 1950s Britain
how does the movement link to wires
Larkin referred to his work as ‘sad-eyed realism’; poetry depicting the pain, uncertainty, and compromise of everyday life
how does 1950s britain link to wires
Britain’s national identity shifted in the aftermath of WWII, as the former global superpower became much less influential
give 2 pieces of context for toads
- Larkin’s Working Life
- The Movement
how does larkin’s working life link to toads
Larkin was known to be very hard-working, developing the library at Hull from a collection of rundown huts to a purpose-built facility with a staff and stock over 6 times larger than when he started
how does the movement link to toads
Larkin’s exploration of contrasting voice and dual mindset in his poetry is a literary technique typical of Movement writers, who endeavoured to explore everyday complexities; Larkin wanted to appeal to ‘the man at the bus stop’
give 2 pieces of context for poetry of departures
- American Dream
- Dual Voice
how does the american dream link to poetry of departures
The 1950s saw the ideology of the American Dream starting to influence British thinking and culture; Larkin’s exploration of material possessions and wants is perhaps correlated to the rise in consumerism as a result of the American Dream
how is dual voice reflected in poetry of departures
Larkin’s use of dual voice is typical of the Movement, which strived to represent everyday complexities and struggles, but equally typical of Larkin’s poetry in The Less Deceived, as also seen in Toads.
give 2 pieces of context for at grass
- The Movement
- Thomas Hardy’s Influence
how does the movement link to at grass
The use of regular rhyme scheme is a literary technique typical to Movement writers, reflective of their desire to reject experimental modernist writing (use quotes to emphasise what the rhyme scheme suggests)
how is thomas hardy’s influence shown in at grass
- Larkin’s writing was heavily influenced by Thomas Hardy.
- In ‘At Grass,’ Larkin utilises the prefix ‘un-‘ in the phrase ‘unmolesting meadows’; this is a technique typical of Hardy.
- Likewise, Larkin’s use of pastoral imagery throughout ‘At Grass’ mirrors Hardy’s own pastoral writing.
