Underlying Themes of Philip Larkin's Poetry
Underlying Themes of Philip Larkin's Poetry
Philip Larkin, though a very talented and revered poet, wrote most of his poetry on his discontent with life. He seems to always be lusting after love, sex, and happiness. Larkin consistently writes about his own unhappiness and lack of social life and this creates a style of poem all his own. Larkin really opens up in his poetry and pours out his feelings on the reader. If Larkin feels like having sex he lets the reader know; if Larkin had a bad day he lets the reader know; if Larkin saw a couple in love and he is jealous he lets the reader know. He’s not afraid to use an “uncouth” word to get his point across and this style gets people’s attention and it lets them know he means business. Philip Larkin’s life didn’t even end up getting any better. His life kept heading him downhill and his work began to suffer. This suffering is included in many of his poems. All of these things show that Larkin is one of the most emotional poets ever, and this is what gives him much of his uniqueness.
Sex is one of Larkin’s main themes. He talks about people doing it, his lack of it, and his desperate desire for some of it. Larkin obviously isn’t getting any sexual fulfillment from anyone and he is unafraid to show that. Bruce Meyer, a poetry critic, said of Larkin’s book High Windows, “Larkin’s poetry shows his pathetic and unattainable desires for love, passion, and human contact.” (Meyer, 113-16) Another thing that Larkin's poetry does is make people relate to his problems and feelings and also desire the things he wants. Larkin invokes his own jealousy of people who are having sex upon his readers. Larkin targets people who aren’t getting sexual fulfillment and makes them feel the same way he does: unhappy with their current predicament (not having sex) and possessing a desire to change this situation. Again Bruce Meyer, “[High Windows] is about the sexual freedom that was sweeping England in the 60’s. These poems show a glimpse of the heaven that Larkin wants to get to and show people what they’re missing.” Larkin provides a window in to what life could be. From his poem “High Windows,”
“When I see a couple of kids
And guess he’s fucking her…
Everyone old has dreamed of all their lives-
Bonds and...