Philip Larkin(1922-1985)

☆ He was an English poet and novelist.

☆ When he was a school boy of 15, he wrote his first poem 'Winter Nocturne', which was published in his school magazine in 1938. It shows the the influence of Yeats.

☆ He became famous as a novelist.

☆ He spent much of his professional life as a librarian, notably at the University of Hull, which influenced his perspective on life and literature.

☆ His first novel 'Jill' was published in 1946.

☆ Another novel A Girl in Winter  was published in 1947.

☆ He was always preoccupied with what he called ' the melancholy, the misfortunate, the failing elements of life'.

Important works: 

1) The North ship (1945) :- 

● Written by Philip Larkin, whose poetry is known for its clear, unadorned language and its reflective, sometimes melancholic tone.

● Like many of his works, "The North Ship" uses everyday imagery to explore deeper existential themes.

● The poem fits within Larkin’s broader exploration of modern life, the passage of time, and the inevitability of change.

● Reflects post-war sensibilities, where there was a growing preoccupation with isolation, mortality, and the discontents of modern existence.

● It gave little indication of his future distinction as a poet. 

2) The Less Deceived (1955) 

3) The Whitsum Weddings (1964) :- 

● First published in 1964, the poem quickly became one of Larkin’s best-known works.

● The poem captures a train journey on a Whitsun weekend—a traditional holiday period in England when many couples marry.

● It reflects Larkin’s characteristic focus on everyday experiences, using them to comment on broader themes like time, change, and the nature of modern life.

● Vivid depictions of the countryside, railway journey, and wedding processions create a strong sense of place.

● Composed in free verse, which allows Larkin to mirror the continuous, flowing motion of the train.

● The poem is divided into several stanzas that chronicle various scenes witnessed during the journey.

● It describes autobiographical elements.

4) High Windows (1974):- 

● "High Windows" is both a poem and the title of Philip Larkin’s 1974 collection.

● Written during a period of significant social and cultural change in Britain, the poem reflects the upheavals of modernity—especially in attitudes toward sexuality and generational roles.

● This poem is an ironic tribute to the sexual freedom and permissiveness of 1960s.

● The poem is often interpreted as an endorsement of the sexual revolution, celebrating the removal of the strictures of an older, repressive social order.

● Larkin contrasts the restrictive past with the liberating possibilities of the modern era.

● A significant aspect is the shift between generations. The “high windows” metaphorically represent the new vistas available to the younger generation, which the older generation never fully experienced.

● He had admiration for Laurence's Lady Chatterley's Lover. 

● In the opening stanza of the poem, he refers to a love making scene. 'When I see a couple of kids/ And guess he's fucking her and she's taking pills or wearing a diaphragm/I know this is the paradise everyone old has dreamed of all their lives'.

● The imagery of “high windows” suggests escape, openness, and a break from confinement.

● While there is an element of celebration in embracing modern freedoms, there is also a reflective melancholy about what is lost in the transition from the old to the new.

5) Annus Mirabilis :- 

● This poem's name means the year of miracles.

● In Larkin’s usage, the title is ironic. Rather than celebrating a year filled with genuine miracles, the poem interrogates the modern tendency to hype progress while everyday life remains largely unremarkable.

● Written in the context of post-war modernity, the poem reflects a period when society was imbued with both high expectations (new freedoms, technological advances, cultural shifts) and a pervasive sense of disillusionment.

● The poem questions whether modern life ever truly delivers on the “miraculous” promises it proclaims.

● Larkin juxtaposes the high hopes embedded in the phrase “annus mirabilis” with a reality that is muted, routine, or even disappointing.

● It examines the paradox of a society that boasts about progress while many aspects of life remain stagnant or are mired in familiar routines.

6) Afternoons 

7) Toads 

8) Church Going:- 

● "Church Going" is a poem by Philip Larkin, first published in 1954 in The Less Deceived. It explores the poet’s reflections on religion, faith, and the cultural significance of churches in a secular world.

● The poem examines the diminishing role of churches in modern society. Larkin wonders what will happen when religious belief fades.

● The poem questions whether churches will continue to hold cultural significance even after faith diminishes.

●  A mix of skepticism, curiosity, and reverence. The speaker is both dismissive and appreciative of churches.

Summary

• The speaker enters a church when no one is around, observing its elements (altar, lectern, floor).
• He acknowledges that he is not religious but still finds something significant about the place.
• He speculates about the future of churches, wondering if they will become mere historical monuments.
• Despite his skepticism, he concludes that people will always need places to reflect on life’s big questions.

● "Church Going" reflects Larkin’s characteristic blend of skepticism and reluctant admiration for tradition. While he doubts the continued relevance of churches, he acknowledges their deep-rooted importance in human life. The poem ultimately suggests that even in a secular world, people will still seek out places of contemplation.