Examine Philip Larkin's bleak view of human life and relationship with reference to his poems.

Larkin’s Depiction of Relationships: A Failure of Connection

Larkin’s poems frequently depict relationships as sources of disappointment and ultimately, failure. He avoids sentimental portrayals, instead focusing on the awkwardness, the compromises, and the inevitable decay of love. In ‘This Be The Verse’ (1964), Larkin famously asserts that “They fuck you up, your mum and dad,” highlighting the intergenerational transmission of unhappiness and the flawed foundations upon which relationships are built. The poem’s blunt language and cynical tone underscore a deep distrust of familial and romantic bonds.

‘An Arundel Tomb’ (1956) presents a seemingly romanticized depiction of a long-lasting marriage, but even here, a sense of melancholy pervades. The poem acknowledges the enduring power of love, but also emphasizes its ultimate futility in the face of death and the passage of time. The sculpted figures, though eternally united in stone, are ultimately divorced from life. The poem isn’t celebrating love, but observing its limitations.

The Weight of Mortality and Existential Angst

A pervasive sense of mortality hangs over Larkin’s work. He doesn’t shy away from confronting the inevitability of death, and his poems often explore the anxieties and fears associated with it. ‘Aubade’ (1977), written in the form of a morning song, is a particularly stark example. The poem depicts a speaker wrestling with the dread of waking up each day, knowing that death is approaching. The imagery is bleak and unsettling, emphasizing the emptiness and meaninglessness of existence. The poem’s relentless focus on the physical realities of decay and the absence of spiritual solace reinforces Larkin’s pessimistic outlook.

The Mundane and the Disillusionment of Everyday Life

Larkin’s poetry often focuses on the mundane details of everyday life, but he imbues these details with a sense of disillusionment and despair. ‘High Windows’ (1974) is a prime example. The poem contrasts the speaker’s own confined existence with the perceived freedom and vitality of others, glimpsed through “high windows.” However, this perceived freedom is ultimately revealed to be an illusion. The poem suggests that everyone is trapped in their own limitations and that even moments of joy are fleeting and ultimately meaningless. The imagery of the “unmown lawns” and “dusty cups” symbolizes the stagnation and decay that permeate everyday life.

Poetic Techniques Reinforcing the Bleakness

• Imagery: Larkin frequently employs stark, realistic imagery that emphasizes the physical realities of decay and mortality.
• Tone: His poems are often characterized by a dry, ironic tone that underscores his cynicism and disillusionment.
• Structure: Larkin often uses irregular rhyme schemes and abrupt shifts in tone to create a sense of unease and disorientation.
• Language: He deliberately avoids poetic embellishment, opting for plain, conversational language that reflects the ordinariness of the experiences he describes.

‘The Whitsun Weddings’ (1964), while seemingly observing a celebratory occasion, ultimately reinforces Larkin’s bleak outlook. The train journey becomes a metaphor for life’s relentless, directionless movement. The weddings themselves are presented as a temporary distraction from the underlying emptiness of existence. The poem’s final lines, “An ode to late marriage,” are laced with irony, suggesting that even the institution of marriage offers little solace or lasting fulfillment.