1) Talking in Bed
This poem confuses people thinking that it'll be a love (romantic) poem and shows two people talking in bed. It's a paradox. This is probably a love poem but doesn't show the beginning of a relationship - but the middle of one; maybe the couple are middle aged and married. It doesn't mean that this isn't a love poem - just not romantic. In the poem, the persona is describing a couple laying next to each other but not saying anything - just letting the world pass by them. This could suggest that after the first past of a relationship, there's no need to say anything. The persona is also implying that isolation is a good thing. It allows intimacy and hides the couple from the rest of the world. Though, there is an element of traps. The last two lines state that you can't be true and kind and the rhyme scheme changes to keep the end that same which could suggest that the persona feels as though love after years can become repetitive and trapped.
2) Self's the Man
In this poem, the persona is comparing himself to Arnold but in a mocking tone. The rhyme scheme reflects this. Its bouncy and is cheerful which shows the the persona isn't suggesting that Arnold is less selfish than him seriously. The persona describes life choices - this includes the comparison of his and Arnold's life. We get this impression that the persona is single and without children through his negative description of Arnold's life which consists of these things. He uses the word 'mistake' to describe marriage life. This is a poem that mocks those who think that the persona is more selfish than Arnold and the persona is proving them wrong.
3) Wild Oats
This poem consists of colloquial language to describe two women. to reflect speech. The persona's story in this poem is that he met two women - one "bosomy English rose" and a girl "in specs" (this is the girl he takes out). This poem portrays some men's idea of perfect (bosomy English rose) and that they will settle for second best (girl in specs) because they can't get what they want. The relationship with specs is inevitably going to end since the persona really wants to be with the other girl - he has the two 'snaps' of her. It's almost a relationship - just like the half rhyming - almost a rhyme.
4) Broadcast
A contrast to Wild Oats, Broadcast is a very musical poem with some romantic phrases for a woman. The words in this poem are very carefully picked to describe and personify the instruments. The use of plosive sounds reflect the exploding instruments and the soft sounds reflect the quiet ones. The rhythm and rhyme of the poem shows the musical elements well. The story is romantic - a man and woman sharing the same experience though they are miles away. The persona describes the woman as 'beautiful' and tries to imagine her and pick out her applaud at the end. The theme of isolation is here once again - but is showing that it is god because that mean that the man and woman are yearning to be with each other.
Thoughtful comments. Don't forget to add some ilustrations or videos to explore some background or other critical opinions. There's lots of stuff on Larkin on the internet!
ReplyDeletewell done for keeping up to date. Don't forget to do the Abse biog post and post your annotated Abse poem too
ReplyDelete