Talking in Bed Flashcards
1
Q
Why is the title of this poem ironic?
A
- No dialogue in poem other than “silence.”
2
Q
Contrast in the first stanza.
A
- Between them “lying” to each other and how people in such an intimate position should be “honest.”
- Lying - double meaning, physically and dishonesty.
3
Q
Language Larkin uses throughout poem to show that no matter what the couple do, they wall always feel separate
A
- “yet.”
- “nothing” (ie. nothing changes about their relationship; it’s static.)
- “still.”
4
Q
Description of weather significance?
A
- “wind’s incomplete unrest.”
- Personification.
- “incomplete”: suggests that the couple will ALWAYS have the feeling of being unsettled.
- “unrest”: shows the couple’s unrest in relationship. Ironic as they are resting in bed!
5
Q
Description of time in poem? Link to WH?
A
- “time passes silently.”
- Sibilance shows how they each feel like life is dragging is on.
- In TIB, time causes their relationship to wear out, in WH, relationship transcends time.
6
Q
Significance of the last stanza.
A
- Uses constrastive pairs “true and kind”, “not untrue, not unkind.”
- Use double negatives –> shows how pair are doing bare minimum, almost as if they are forced to be with each other/ not out of love/ can’t divorce.
- Double negatives: difficulty in communication/ lack of clarity.
7
Q
What form does this poem take?
A
- Lyrical poem
- Story-like, poet giving scenario that links to his lack of comittment for anyone because this is how he envisages long-lasting relationship to end up?
8
Q
How is punctuation used in poem to portray the pair’s dettachment?
A
- Full stops at end of stanzas.
- Lack of ease/ naturality in their relationship.
9
Q
Significance of rhyme scheme in the poem.
A
- Loose rhymes: ie. “easiest” and “honest.”
- Lack of completion each of the individuals in the relationship feel.
10
Q
Significance of arrangement of stanzas.
A
- Separataion between lovers shown through short poem being broken down into 3 stanza, just as their love is broken down.
- Tercets: imbalance in relationship (not couplets!)
11
Q
Significance of poem being short.
A
- Symbol of little conversation the pair have together.
12
Q
Give a way in which this poem is similar to WH.
A
- Inability of Catherine/ Heathcliff to communicate their love for each other just like the people in this poem actually fail to “talk in bed.”
13
Q
Give a way in which WH is different to this poem.
A
- WH: Romanticism whereas, TIB = realism.
14
Q
What might Larkin be critiquing in this poem - based on historical context?
A
- 1960’s: divorce being very difficult to file for.
- So many relationships would end up like this couple in the poem.
- Critiquing difficulty in divorce?
