An Arundel Tomb

This poem is about a couple that have both died, and a sculpture has been of the two of them, lying together holding hands. It is a reflection on death and love, and questions whether over time it is love that conquers all, or if its just a display and we are left with nothing. 

Stanza 1:

• 'their faces blurred' links to the way their bodies decompose next to each other, as Larkin introduces the poem with the ugly truth that we will die and our bodies will rot. It also links to the idea of two becoming one as their love blurs them together. It also connotes how they have become anonymous, as time has eroded their faces.
• 'earl and countess lie in stone' suggests that the stone sculpture gives them titles and worth. This fake title could suggests that after death people remember you as something you are not, that you become more like a character as you are no longer real. 
• 'proper habits vaguely shown as jointed armour' demonstrates the idea that the sculpture does not reflect who the couple really were. 
• 'jointed armour' reinforces the idea of the pair joining together, as well as connoting their 'stiffened' bodies. 

Stanza 2:

• The tomb is considered 'plain' until the eye meets 'his left hand gauntlet...holding her hand' demonstrating a softer side to the 'stiff' exterior, linking with the juxtaposition of 'sharp tender shock'. 
• 'clasped empty' reminds the reader that they are dead, and although their love seems to have lived on, the hand is empty because this is purely physical with nothing deeper to show. This is reiterated by 'his hand withdrawn', which also suggests this. 
• 'holding her hand' is alliteration, emphasizing the depth of the meaning behind this gesture, the love behind it. 

Stanza 3:

• 'they would not think to lie so long' demonstrates how they didn't plan to live on through sculpture, that it wasn't their choice, it was their friends and it was them who got the enjoyment from it. 
• 'faithfulness in effigy' connotes their long faithful relationship, but also denotes how they cannot escape being the monument for people to look at, they are trapped in sculpture, for their 'friends'.
• 'a sculptures sweet commissioned grace' suggests art is more important than love.
• 'prolong the latin names' demonstrates how these couple are no more than names and memories now, that their friends are trying to clutch onto.

Stanza 4:

• 'stationary voyage' is a paradox which demonstrates the was that the dead have moved on, however they have been kept physically still, trapped in the tomb.
• 'soundless damage' is an oxymoron saying time and nature will eventually destroy the tomb, that the attempt to remember them will be lost. 
• 'eyes begin to look not read' demonstrates how people will begin to care less and less and the tomb will become purely aesthetic, and their memory will be lost. 
• 'This point is juxtaposed with 'rigidly' which reinforces the statues strong physical presence, as well as linking to death and the strength of the couple love. 

Stanza 5:

• 'linked through lengths and breadths of time' suggests that love can be eternal.
• 'snow fell, undated' shows how like love nature is timeless, which could raise the question which will conquer, can love stand up against the nature which killed them ??? :/
• 'a bright litter of birdcalls' suggests that not all nature is pretty, as shown by the word 'litter'. This could also be a reference to newborns, which combined with 'bone riddled ground' enforces the idea of life and death. 
• 'endless altered people came' demonstrates the way the tomb, and love can change people. 

Stanza 6:

• 'washing at their identity' suggests they are trying to improve themselves, because of the love they have witnessed in the tomb. It also suggests they are cleansing the past. 
• 'hollow of unarmorial age' suggests modern life is empty emotionally, unlike the statue which may be physically empty, but has deeper meaning. 
• 'smoke in slow suspended skeins' denotes the way modern industrialization takes over nature. 
• 'scrap of history' demonstrates how little importance each individual has, looking at the big picture. 
• 'only an attitude remains' shows that you cannot leave anything physical behind, it wont last.

Stanza 7:

• 'time has transfigured them into untruth' refers to the tomb and the way time has eroded it into something it is not.
• 'the stone fidelity they hardly meant has become their final blazon' demonstrates that the sculpture was only materialized for others benefit, and over time the 'fidelity' of it has been lost as it is now a purely physical thing. 
• 'Our almost instinct almost true: all that survives of us is love' could be looked at positively, that love can conquer all, or negatively, that everything is destroyed apart from the love we have. 

Take One Home For The Kiddies

 This is a morbid poem demonstrating Larkin's negative views of children as he talks about the way they treat animals which are playthings to them, and are not treated right so they quickly die but it is just a game for the children, 'kiddies' introduces this immaturity.  The poem shows how fickle life is and the ABAB rhyme scheme reiterates the simplistic view of life presented by it, as children have. 

 Stanza 1:

• 'shallow straw' not only reflects how these animals are neglected but reflects childrens 'shallow' view of life and their pets.
• 'shadeless glass' demonstrates that these animals cannot escape. 
• The repetition of 'no', 'no dark, no dam...' reinforces the poor quality of their lives, as well as reflecting that people should say 'no' to children. 
• 'get us one of them' shows how Larkin see's children as rude, demanding and greedy and have no care, calling a creature 'them' as if it were an object. 

Stanza 2:

• 'Living toys' shows how children see animals merely as playthings and 'novel' and have no deeper care for them, showing how these animals are neglected. 
• 'wears off' shows how their love is fickle and they will move on easily.
• 'we're playing funerals now' shows how even the death is a game, reinforcing children being heartless. 

Toads Revisited

This poem is a follow up to the poem 'Toads' in which Larkin expresses his dislike for work which for him is a 'toad', and how much he wants to just give up and stop, as even homeless life seems more appealing to him as a job. 'Toads Revisited' shows his change of opinion as now he no longer works he see's the other types of people who don't work and doesn't want to be associated with them. 

Stanza 1:

• 'should feel better than work' introduces the idea his views have changed. 
• Lists: 'the lake, the sunshine, the grass' suggests he is bored with nature. 
• 'lie' suggests pretending to life these things now would be a lie.

Stanza 2:

• 'blurred playground noises' suggests a deterioration of the senses reinforcing him aging, as well as reiterating his dislike for children.
• 'black-stockinged nurses' suggests mourning something, as he is mourning his younger years, and also demonstrates his objectification of women. 
• 'not a bad place to be. yet it doesn't suit me' shows how he understands the attraction to this life, but he has realized he doesn't feel it. 

Stanza 3:

• 'being one of the men' demonstrates his sexist beliefs as he sees himself as a lad. 
• 'you meet of an afternoon' shows he's got nothing to do with his day. 
• 'palsied old step-takers' and 'hare-eyed clerks with the jitters' is a reference to old and disabled people, the two types of people that have free time like he does, and he doesnt want to be in this category or associate himself with them. 

Stanza 4:

• 'waxed fleshed out patients' suggests they are pale and clammy, possibly on sick leave or discharged from hospitals.
• 'characters in long coats' is a reference to homeless people, as 'deep in litter baskets' demonstrates. 'deep' suggests they are stuck and can't get out, linking to the troubled lives of these people. 

Stanza 5:

• 'dodging the toad work by being stupid or weak'  shows Larkin's harsh view of people with problems, or the old and because he is now in that category, himself, suggesting they are lazy and 'work shy' when in reality they have no choice. 
• 'Think of being them!' reinforces him being unable to accept that he is one of them. 

Stanza 6:

• 'the sun by clouds covered' suggests Larkin has lost hope.
• 'Think of being them' repeated reiterates Larkin not being able to accept the position he is in. 

Stanza 7:

• 'turning over their failures' connotes the sadness of their lives, reinforced by 'nowhere to go but indoors' and 'no friends but empty chairs'
• 'by some bed of lobelias' connotes the insignificance of their lives. 

Stanza 8:

• 'give me my in-tray' shows Larkin is now demanding work again, because he doesn't want to be like those people. 
• 'loaf haired secretary', shows his sexist viewpoint, objectifying women by her bun hairstyle. Could also link to the idea of being a breadwinner, earning money and having a job. 
• 'Sir' suggests he feels the need to be in charge, as being retired he feels out of control. This is reinforced by the repetition of 'my', showing he needs to own stuff. 

Stanza 9:

• Sums up Larkins views about work, showing he now wants to work until he dies, and he will be happy to be an 'old toad' because although he is old and ugly he is happy. 
• 'Help me down cemetery road' demonstrates how he thinks when he needs help, like a disabled person would, that is when he wants to die, because he doesnt want to live like them. 

Afternoons

Afternoons expresses Larkin's view of women and housewives, demonstrating his misogynist attitude by focusing on the things they do in what he considers to be the empty part of the day, when you should be at work. 

Stanza 1:

• 'summer is fading' shows its before winter, suggesting it it an empty part of the year, reinforcing it being an afternoon. Also it is before winter, before things get bad and 'leaves fall' (things fall apart).
• 'Hollows of afternoons' show the time has no purpose. 
• 'setting free their children' suggests they are animals, as well as connoting mothers cage them and have too much control. 
• 'young mother's assemble' sounds formal, juxtaposing what they are actually doing which is going to the sandpits, therefore mocking the women. 
• 'young mothers' shows how judgmental Larkin is of new things, reinforced by 'new'.

Stanza 2:

• 'husbands in skilled trades' shows how its the men that have the talent. 
• 'estateful of washing' demonstrates Larkin being judgmental of the things women do, as well as being stereotypical and suggesting they are rough. 
• 'Our wedding, lying' followed by a line break emphasizes the 'lying' suggesting weddings are lies, women are sentimental and the album is out to remind everyone of the happiness that is no longer there. 
• 'near the television' shows Larkin's dislike for mod cons as they seem more important than history. 
• men 'at intervals' suggests they are more independent compared to women in groups.
• 'wind is ruining' is pathetic fallacy, linking to it being autumn as the wedding season is over and now the marriages begin to break up. 
• 'courting places...still courting places' shows Larkin's repetitive view of life and marriage, suggesting they are all the same. 

Stanza 3:

• 'the lovers still in school' shows how Larkin doesn't like young people and he thinks people get together too young. 
• 'more unripe acorns...to be taken home' reinforces this, and suggests women are possessions to be taken home.
• 'beauty has thickened' demonstrates their only good feature has gone, ironic because he doesn't like young people but is even more judgmental as they age. 
• 'pushed them to the side of their own lives' links to them being on the side of the playground suggesting their children dominate their lives as they are only 'mothers' now, they are only bit parts.  

Dockery and Son

In this poem Larkin looks back over his time at university, reminiscing over his youth as finding out about someone younger than him who's son now goes to his old university, triggers him to return to his youth but in turn feels isolated by the present. It contains the theme of time, growing up and journeys. 

Stanza 1:

• 'Dean' demonstrates an authoritative educational figure.
• 'Death suited' and 'Black gowned' shows how old Larkin feels on hearing this knowledge
• Larkin reminisces over the mischief he used to get up to-'the incidents last night'.
• 'I try the door of where i used to live:' ends the stanza hopefully, but this hope is shattered by the beginning to the next stanza-'Locked'. This could demonstrate how Larkin feels although he wants to look back, he is now isolated from the past and cannot be young again. Alternatively it could connote how when he was younger he had hope, but not any more, reinforced by 'i used to live' which suggests he doesn't anymore. It also suggests he is and outsider, trapped outside. 

Stanza 2:

• 'a known bell chimes' shows his attachment to the past, suggesting he can't face change. 
• 'ignored' suggests the old are insignificant, he feels isolated as people are no longer interested in him.
• 'i catch my train' suggests he has moved on, reiterated as 'colleges subside' suggesting things are becoming out of reach, like his past.
• 'when i was twenty-one' shows him reminiscing. 
• 'how did he get his son' shows how he is detached from family relationships, he doesn't understand them or see the appeal. 

Stanza 3

• 'boy' suggests he thinks he's still young.
• 'who was killed' connotes time catches up with everyone. 
• 'How much...How little...Yawning' this contrast demonstrates his lack of grasp of the past and lack of control. 
• 'I fell asleep' reinforced loosing track of time as Larking did. 
• 'Furnace glares' shows a negative view of industrialization.
• 'An awful pie' shows the bad bits of life, as well as him reminiscing. 
• 'platform to its end' and 'joining and parting' connotes different parts of life coming to an end. 

Stanza 4:

• 'unhindered moon' suggests freedom, but also loneliness reinforced by repetition of 'no', introduces the need to own stuff to feel accomplished.  
• 'gone of my life' shows how he feels a loss in aging. 
• 'how widely from others' connotes his isolation, suggests he's grown apart.
• 'Of what he wanted' shows he is envious of someone who knows what he wants. 

Stanza 5:

• 'why did he think adding meant increase' shows how Larkin believes happiness does not lie in the things or people you own, and children make you a dilution of yourself. 
• 'innate assumptions' shows him questioning life and social conventions. 
• 'warp tight-shut, like doors' shows how social boundaries age into shutting things off completely.
• 'style' undermines the way people live, suggests its unoriginal, just 'habit'.
• 'harden into all we've got' shows how they aren't so nice anymore and now cut off opportunities as you are forced to hang on. 

Stanza 6:

• 'sand-clouds' connote dreams, memories and experiences not being what you expect.
• 'looked back on' reinforces the idea of the past. 
• 'nothing' repeated shows how little Larkin both has and gets from belongings. 
• 'Life is first boredom, then fear. Whether we use it or not, it goes' shows whether its fulfilled or not it still leaves. 
• 'age' being the last word of poem reinforces it being the main theme. 

Self's the Man

Larkin's poem 'Self's the Man' demonstrates Larkin's view of marriage, as he compares his single life to that of a married man. He describes the life of 'Arnold' who, from Larkin's point of view, has a terrible life dominated by his wife and full of restrictions because of his marriage. Throughout the first half of the poem, because of this, Arnold is presented as selfless, however the 'But' halfway through the poem introduces a change of tone as Larkin begins to express his feeling that married people are still selfish, they just made the wrong selfish decision. The regular rhyme scheme, AABB throughout the poem reflects the repetitive nature of marriage, as well as reiterating the contrast of two different life styles. 

Stanza 1:

• 'to stop her getting away' demonstrates Larkin's misogynist views, and introduces irony in the idea 'Arnold' is now seemingly trapped by his wife. 
• 'That Arnold is less selfish than I' suggests Arnold can put up with it because he has given himself up for his wife, Larkin is suggesting this is not necessarily a good thing, and something he doesn't want to do. 
• 'Now she's there all day' shows women are also trapped  into being a housewife by marriage. 

Stanza 2:

• 'money he gets for wasting his life on work' suggests the money isn't worth giving up your life for.
• 'she takes as her perk' shows Larkin's dislike of women as she isn't even named, and he suggests that this is the set up for every family. 'Perk' shows more irony as Larkin suggests she indulges it on herself, when in reality she spends it on 'the drier' ect. 
• 'Kiddies clobber' demonstrates Larkin's dislike of children, as they are just mess to him. 
• 'the electric fire' being one of the main things Arnold's wages are spent on, suggests he is wasting his life and what he gets out of it is only fake. It also links to Larkin's dislike of modern life. 

Stanza 3:

• 'he finishes supper' shows how women get no credit for the things they do for men, like making them meals, and all Arnold focuses on is the things they prevent him from doing. 
• 'Put a screw in this wall' suggests women are needy, men have to do the work and Arnold's life is just full of pointless jobs. Also the italics suggest he is mocking his wife. 
• 'no time' shows how Larkin feels marriage takes freedom. 

Stanza 4

• 'nippers to wheel round the houses' reinforces Larkin's dislike of children, and suggests they too are needy. 
• 'in his old trousers' suggests that she gets the 'perks' and he doesn't even get new clothes, and also that you can't move forward when married, it restricts you and you are stuck in the past. 
• 'her mother' shows another woman Larkin see's as a chore, unworthy of a name but you are forced to see. 

Stanza 5

• 'makes me feels a swine' links to how bachelors are seen as animals because they don't follow social conventions.
• 'Oh' demonstrates Larkin's sarcastic tone.
• 'I' at end of stanza emphasized by fullstop, demonstrates selfishness. 

Stanza 6

• 'But wait' shows people are quick to judge which is ironic considering Larkin's reputation. Also introduces change of tone as caesura gives the poem a quicker pace. 
• 'not just pleasing his friends' shows how much pressure Larkin feels socials norms have, so the point where friends trap you as well as wives. 

Stanza 7

• 'it was such a mistake' shows marriage is a mistake although 'he did it for his own ends' so it was still a selfish decision it was just a bad one. 
• 'game' suggests life is a game and you have to play it right.

Stanza 8

• 'Only I'm a better hand' suggests Larkin understands life better than others. 
• 'At knowing what I can stand' shows how Larkin will not comprimise. 
• 'without them sending a van' shows how Larkin thinks married people are crazy.
• 'Or i suppose i can' introduces some selfdoubt in the final line, suggesting you never really get true happiness because even Larkin doesnt seem happy with his life. 

Talking in Bed

Through 'Talking in Bed' Larkin expresses his views about comfortable, intimate, long term relationships, that in his view, lack passion and are destined to fail. Larkin feels it is inevitable that a relationship once intimate will die as it becomes more and more difficult to find things nice and true to say to your partner.

Stanza 1:

• 'Lying together' connotes how Larkin feels a relationship forces you to lie to keep the other happy, and also may suggest he feels they are lying to themselves, as well as showing their close relationship in bed. 
• 'Goes back so far' demonstrates that these relationship is long term, which is why the passion is no longer there. 
• 'An emblem of two people being honest' connotes what the poem is about honesty, Larkin's honest portrayal of relationships, and the way it becomes so hard to be honest to your partner when you have nothing nice to say to them anymore.

Stanza 2:

• Continues to portray the idea that this relationship has been going for a long period as 'time passes'
• 'Time passes silently' suggests to the reader something is wrong as it contrasts with the title 'talking in bed'. It also shows how Larkin thinks this silence is a bad thing.
• 'Builds and disperses' reflects Larkin's view of relationships and the way they are just made and then destroyed.
• This stanza also looks at the 'clouds' and suggests an oncoming storm, linking to the breakup Larkin sees as inevitable. This also reiterate Larkins love for nature, and the way he talks about that rather than the couple reinforces the fact they have nothing to talk about.

Stanza 3:

• 'Dark towns' reiterates Larkin's dislike for urbanisation, reinforced by 'none of this cares for us'. This also suggests they are isolated, which is interesting as although they have each other they appear to feel alone, therefore Larkin is suggesting relationships don't necessarily make you happy.
• 'At this unique distance from isolation' reinforces this, as it suggests relationships trap people.

Stanza 4:

• The last stanza encapsulates Larkin's views about the way that relationships will inevitably end with people not being able to find words 'true' and 'kind' to say to each other. Larkin suggests that these two words do not go together, and Larkin wants to be honest.  

Here

Through 'Here', Larkin expresses his views of urbanization, by analyzing a town and criticizing the way it ages, compared to nature which is in his view timeless. 

The first stanza:

• Describes the country side that Larkin travels through.
• 'Piled gold clouds' demonstrates Larkin's high sense of worth for the natural world.
• 'Swerving to solitude' could connote how Larkin craves isolation, as is shown in his adversity of the  big busy areas like towns. Alternatively 'swerving' suggests an unusual action, going against the norm, which Larkin maybe saying you have to do to get away from others.
• 'Harsh-named halt' used to describe a man made barriers demonstrates how Larkin feels about industrializing and modern life , it being 'harsh'. This is emphasized through Larkin's positive descriptions of nature, such as 'shining' and 'gold'.

The second stanza:

• In the second stanza, the countryside 'gathers to the surprise of a large town'. This suggests it appears from nowhere, which could be a reference to how Larkin feels they are built quickly and are a shock to the countryside.
• 'Cranes Cluster' emphasizes how Larkin feels the industry ruins the environment. Supported by 'scattered streets' and 'barge crowded', 'scattered' and 'cluster' suggest a lack or order, demonstrating how Larkin feel's it is a mess. 
• 'Raw estates' demonstrates Larkin's views about estates being uncultured, unrefined and unhealthy for people. Alternatively it could be looked at as 'roar' connoting danger and noise, reinforcing Larkin's negative view towards built up areas.
• Language such as 'dead' and 'stealing' encapsulate Larkin's pessimism to these towns and the people and modern technologies in them, as the personification of trams 'stealing' shows how he doesn't trust them.
• Larkin also critiques people in town, suggesting their aspirations are limited as they can simply 'push through plate glass swing doors to their desires', therefore Larkin's snobbish attitude comes across clearly, emphasized by the list of their 'desires' being only functional goods:'cheap suits', 'sharp shoes', suggesting he feels there is more to life.

The third stanza:

• Larkin continues to judge town residents as he calls them a 'cut price crowd, urban yet simple', suggesting they are cheap with no class and have got no benefits from living in the city. 
• The town is described as 'where only salesmen and relations come' demonstrating he feels no one wants to go there.
• 'Terminate and fishy-smelling' suggests it is the end of the line. 'Terminate' connotes death and endings, while 'fishy-smelling' suggests the town is suspicious. 
• The list of buildings 'tattoo shops, consulates...', reinforce the lack of class and attraction to this town.
• Larkin makes clear his views about urbanization ruining landscape in this stanza as the town 'shadowed wheat fields' suggests the town is having a destructive effect, emphasized as 'mortgaged half built edges' clarify it as a failure. 'Running high as hedges' shows how overgrown and neglected it is, 'running' suggesting nature is trying to escape the town. 

The forth stanza:

• Introduced by 'loneliness clarifies', demonstrating how Larkin feels towns like this make people feel alone. Furthermore this suggests Larkin feels loneliness is a good thing as it allows you to see what is important and gives you peace.
• 'Silence stands like heat' could suggest that the 'silence' is uncomfortable, or alternatively that the silence is a comforting warmth. 
• 'Here leaves unnoticed thicken, hidden weeds flower, neglected waters quicken' connotes how nature continues even though people don't notice and Larkin appreciates it. It could suggests that things thrive on their own and the 'weeds flower' when 'hidden' showing that bad things can become good in isolation. 
• 'Luminously-peopled air ascends' connotes the effect the masses of people have, on even the air, that it becomes noticeably polluted. This also could suggest even the air is trying to escape this environment. 
• The last lines 'unfenced existence: facing the sun, untalkative, out of reach' encapsulate Larkin's view that true freedom is in nature, in silence and calm, but impossible.

Ambulances

This poem is about the way an ambulance, a loud unavoidable vehicle, universally provokes more profound thoughts about life; in particular the inevitableness of death. Larkin, views as a bystander an ambulance,catching snippets of an unfortunate scene, a position relatable for the reader. He comments on this as well as looking at the way people react to it, and looking deeper into the meaning or what it going on. The constant looming presence of death is something that comes across strongly throughout this poem, and because of this Larkin's viewpoint could be argued to be both pessimistic and realistic, but either way the tone is somber. 

The poem is introduced with the phrase 'closed like confessionals', when talking about ambulances, connoting the fact that like 'confessionals' they are private and closed off, but something intimate and important is happening inside. As the stanza continues they 'thread loud noons of cities'. 'Thread' connotes to how ambulances hold people and society together, like a 'thread' would fabric, as well as linking to the way they travel in and out of traffic. Larkin's phrasing here also suggests ambulances go unnoticed in the 'loud...cities', particularly as they were previously described as 'confessionals' which denotes that they are not spoken about and quite. 'Noons' shows that it's a busy time of day, but also as it is between morning and evening it links to being in between life and death. This could hint that 'noon' is also an unnatural time to die, linking to the way lives end abruptly. The idea of being in between life and death is reiterated through their 'grey' colour which is in between black and white. The line 'giving back none of the glances they absorb could be a reference to the way the meaning behind an ambulance attracts attention, despite the fact it is just a machine. Alternatively it could link to the way they absorb life, they take people away inside of them but they don't bring them back. Towards the end of this stanza the tone begins to become more morbid, as Larkin says 'they come to rest at any kerb'. 'Rest' reinforces the idea of death, while 'any kerb' demonstrates the unpredictability of death, but despite this it happens to everyone as 'all streets in time are visited'. 

The next stanza contrasts life and death, with the first three lines describing simple everyday parts of life such as 'smells of different dinners', and the next three lines describing a 'white face' on a 'red stretcher' in a much more detached way to reinforce how quickly life can be taken from you, and the complete contrast between life and death. In the first line, children are described as 'strewn', which connotes death as well as demonstrating Larkin's view of the way children make a mess and are life objects. Larkin's critical view of people is continued as he judged 'women coming from the shops', which could be considered a very sexist example. The body is described as having a 'wild white face' the contrast between alliteration used in 'wild white' emphasizes the contrast between the two words, which could link to the difference between 'wild' life and 'white' death and how this person is in an area in the middle. Alternatively the 'wild' could connote the unpredictability of death, while 'white' demonstrates its universality and simplicity. There is also contrast between the 'white face' and 'red stretcher', with red connoting danger and pain, while 'white' connotes peace and purity. This could link to how death is considered both gory and painful, but also tied to peace. As well as this, 'white' suggests unhealthiness and innocence, which could suggest this person didn't deserve to die. The detached way in which Larkin talks about this body, is emphasized by calling them 'it', and saying they are 'stowed' as this objectifies them. This may be a reference to the way people detach themselves from death so it doesn't hurt them, but also reinforces his limited perspective as he is seeing the event like anyone else would. 

In stanza three, Larkin describes the way people react to seeing this as to 'sense the solving emptiness that lies just under all we do'. Here Larkin is the lack of meaning to life, as he sees it as empty underneath the surface, and death is something that brings this to our attention, suggesting witnessing death is a life changing rare moment. 'Lies' also reinforces the presence of death that is throughout this poem, as it denotes laying to rest. Larkin goes on to describe the 'emptiness' as 'so permanent and blank and true', which could be interpreted as pessimism as Larkin is saying, even though life isn't permanent, the emptiness is. This is followed by a sense of ending as 'the fastened doors recede', which suggests life is being taken out of your hands. This phrasing interestingly makes the ambulance sound more alive than the person, and therefore more in control. The final line of this stanza is 'they whisper at their own distress', which demonstrates Larkin's view of people's selfishness, as they only worry about themselves. 

Larkin uses irony in stanza four in the phrasing 'borne away in deadened air', as 'borne' suggests life rather than death. Also 'deadened air' reflects the way death surround people and is a constant presence in this poem. The sense of ending is also presented clearly in this stanza, with phrasing such as 'sudden shut of loss' and 'an end'. 'Sudden shut of loss' demonstrates the way death shuts you off from others and is abrupt. The idea of things coming to an end is also presented in this stanza by the idea of things falling apart, things being the 'unique random bland of families and fashions'. This phrase could be interpreted as Larkin belittling life to something no more then 'random', and there is nothing more to it. 

 The idea of things falling apart are cemented in stanza five as things 'at last begin to loosen', connoting death. 'At last' denotes a keenness that could suggest Larkin thinks life is a bad thing. LArkin also introduces the idea of isolation in this final stanza as he describes the body in the abulance 'unreachable', surrounded by 'traffic parts', and 'far from the exchange of love'. This acts as a somber ending as it suggests your last moments will be far from who you love, with nothing but machines. As Larkin describes the ambulance driving away, 'traffic parts to let go by', the prospect of death becomes more prominent, it 'brings closer what is left to come'. The final line of the poem 'and dulls to distance all we are' sums up Larkin's views about the meaning about life and death, as when looking at the big picture and death, what we are seems meaningless. It also reiterates the idea of isolation as he suggests death makes us feel isolated. 

The Whitsun Weddings

This poem is Larkin's critique of weddings as he is on a train journey in the main wedding season-Whitsun, witnessing different wedding parties. He undercuts marriage with his pessimistic views of the wedding guests, the repetitiveness of the ceremony and the 'frail' relationships.

Larkin's negative tone is introduced in the first stanza as he says 'I was late getting away' which introduces his opinion that weddings are something to escape. This pessimism is continued as he describes the train as 'three-quarters empty'. This also demonstrates the fact that he is not travelling at a peak time, reiterating the relaxed feel of the Whitsun bank holiday as he says 'all sense of being in a hurry gone'. The idea of a laid back bank holiday is also presented through the heat, as 'all cushions hot' reminds the reader of the uncomfortable heat associated with that time of year, setting the scene. The first stanza also introduces his train journey and the land he is travelling through. His use of 'we ran' demonstrates his stronger bond with objects, as opposed to people, reinforced as he judges others throughout the rest of the poem.

Stanza two introduces Larkin's negative views towards modern urbanization, which he is against, as he describes the landscapes he passes. Canals are described as having 'floating's of industrial froth', demonstrating Larkin's views of how industry is ruining the countryside. This is reinforced by the 'acres of dismantled cars', 'acres' not only connoting how Larkin feels that modern life consumes everything, but also creating a contrast been 'dismantled cars' and what 'acres' would normally be used to describe, fields, in turn juxtaposing the two. To add to this the towns are described as 'new and nondescript', through this alliteration Larkin links these two words to convey his view that modern things are bland and age adds character, as well as expressing his opinion about the monotony of urbanized areas, as nature is where his interests lie. 

In stanza three Larkin begins to talk about the weddings he is seeing, initially describing them as a 'noise', introducing his feelings against them. He then begins to critique the wedding guests, describing the girls as 'pomaded...parodies of fashion' which suggests they are cheap fakes, trying hard to attract men and attention. As Larkin continues to mock them, he describes them as being 'posed irresolutely' which suggests they are uncertain of themselves, trying hard to get attention and look nice but just come across desperate. 

Larkin begins to introduce more characters in the forth stanza, which he continues to mock. The fathers have 'broad belts' and 'seamy foreheads', which demonstrates Larkin is just looking at appearances and categorizing them as ugly. Despite this 'broad' suggests power, particularly when contrasted with 'fat' which the mothers are described as, which demonstrates Larkin as a clear misogynist as his description of men is much more flattering compared to women. Continuing through this stanza Larkin reinforces his judgmental and superficial nature by focusing on what people have, commenting on 'nylon gloves' and 'jewelry substitutes' in a snobbish manner to present his views of the tackiness of weddings. 

This snobbish attitude towards weddings is continued in stanza five, as he begins to undermine the venues chosen, such as 'cafes' and 'bunting-dressed coach party annexes' by making them appear cheap and unappealing with no description to redeem them. He also describes the married couple leaving the wedding, stating 'confetti and advise were thrown'. 'thrown' suggests they don't take it, and also comes across quite violent connoting that the guests are more jealous of the couple than happy for them. Larkin goes on say 'children frowned at something dull', undermining the whole wedding by summing it up in one word-'dull'.

The oxymoron of 'happy funeral' in stanza six sums up Larkin's views of weddings as he suggests marriage is an end rather than a beginning and it should not be a celebration, reiterated as it is described as 'farcical' suggesting this celebration is ridiculous. Furthermore, the marriage is described as a 'religious wounding', reinforcing these points and as the wedding finishes the guests are 'free at last' which suggests they are nothing but a burden. At the end of this stanza Larkin focuses back on the landscape, as 'poplars cast long shadows over major roads' which reintroduces his ideas about nature and industry, this line suggesting he feels nature has the power. 

In stanza six Larkin refers to other train passengers as 'they' which reinforces his isolation from other people, after previously referring to himself and the train as one ('we'), which may derive from the lack of understanding he has for others. This is made clear as he demonstrates his views about how marriage shuts off possibilities, but they don't see this as 'none thought of others they would never meet' which shows how Larkin feels they don't know what they are missing. The confinement he feels is tied to marriage is reinforced as he says 'packed like squares of wheat'. This also links to how he feels nature should not be suppressed. 

In the final stanza Larkin sums up his pessimistic view of marriage. Larkin demonstrates his opinion that marriage changes people, is 'frail', and using a paradox of 'swelling' and 'falling' suggests that marriage is a disappointment, as well as meaning you are out of control. The end of the poem describes marriage as 'somewhere becoming rain'.'Rain' having connotations of sadness, demonstrates Larkin's view that marriage always ends badly, 'somewhere' connoting how the ceremony is a big event in front of everybody, but all that follows it is a private deterioration of this relationship, kept out of sight. The reference to rain also links to the water cycle, therefore Larkin is showing through this how repetitive and common he feels marriage is.