How this poem imitates Larkin's

• If I could describe the mood of the most memorable of Larkin's poems with one word it would be melancholy.

• They were filled with imagery • They are also very structured • They flow with dialogue

Biography

• born on August 9, 1922 in a Coventry in the English Midlands • attended the City's King Henry VIII School between 1930 and 1940 and contributed to the school magazine that he eventually became editor of • After he went to St. John's College, Oxford he wasn’t in the war because he failed his medical • Graduated in 1943 with a First Class Honours in English • First poem published I a weekly called • In 1946, he became Assistant Librarian at the Leicester University College • in March1955, he became Librarian at the University of Hull. He kept this position for the rest of his life

Biography

• in 1955, He published the poem

the less deceived

an up-and-coming poet marked Larkin as • In 1964 his reputation was confirmed with the publication of his poem “Whitsun Wedding” • Larkin also wrote 2 novels

Jill

(1946) and

A Girl in Winter

(1947).

• He reviewed jazz music and was a notable critic of modernism in contemporary literature and art.

• • When John Betjeman died Philip Larkin was offered the position of

Poet Laureate

but he refused.

Philip Larkin: A Writer's Life

(1993) and an edition of his letters(1992), revealed Larkin pornography obsession possible racism and right wing political stances. Many argue if these were his true believes for various reasons

Biography

He died of cancer December 2, 1985 Upon his death he wanted all of his journals do be burned. they were.

What I find Pleasing

• I like that Larkin's poems aren't ridged, they have very nice structure but they flow well.

Achievements

• Throughout his life he published hundreds of poems • In 1975 he was awarded the CBE • in 1976 was given the German Shakespeare-Pries • chaired the Booker Prize Panel in 1977 • made Companion of Literature in 1978 • served on the Literature Panel of the Arts between 1980 and 1982 • Honorary Fellow of the Library Association in 1980. • In 1982 the University of Hull made him a Professor • In 1984 he received an honorary D.Litt. from Oxford University, and was elected to the Board of the British Library • In December of 1984 he was offered Poet Laureate but declined for various reasons

• Phillip Larkin coped with reality through writing, jazz and drink, humor and solidarity. Like many writers and artists Larkin’s ability to release his fears, insecurities and anxieties (which he had many) allowed him to create what Brett calls, “some of the best poetry of the second half of this century” It seems Larkin was a very complex man (although I expected nothing less) Brett appears to be able to understand Larkin’s life when he wrote this memoir.

• The following is a review of a memoir written about Philip Larkin after his death By Brett

• I found it interesting how Brett opens with the parallel between Jean-Paul Sartre and Phillip Larkin. Since childhood words have empowered them and became their passion in life. They both found writing a way to deal with their realities. It is mentioned that both Larkin and Sartre adopted

persona

in their writing that suited themselves to the purpose of their piece. Larkin’s letters demonstrate this. Often he acquired a different persona for each letter he sent out. The real Phillip Larkin could not be easily seen within his many letters. Because of this, his true self was hidden. To his friends he wrote in a style of a character with outrageous views, playing with them. According to Brett this is about Larkin wanting to be secretive and probably more likely control his personal relations how he wished.

• Larkin was insecure, and it is evident in his daily life most notably his approach to humour. Brett describes Larkin’s remarks about his contemporaries and rivals “less than generous” he makes reference to the writing

Jokes and their Relation to the Unconscious and.

of his life he didn’t like “abroad” as he called because he didn’t It states that all humour is a disguised way of ventilating repressed wishes and fears. This belief is clear in Larkin’s wit. Other area of Larkin’s life where insecurity is clearly evident is his dislike for travel. He was very anxious whenever he traveled even in the early years speak the language. Larkin was careful with his money because it gave him security. Brett believes his fear of the unknown is what made money something important to Larkin, He felt it could help him face anything unexpected.

• • • Brett mentions several things (besides poetry) that fulfill Larking need to escape from his reality. One of these is alcohol, and the other is jazz which apparently was much more liberating for him. It allowed him to express himself without ‘the intolerable wrestle with words' in the poem 'Sidney Bechet' Larkin speaks of jazz

Like an enormous yes. My Crescent City is where your speech alone is understood

Poetry was indeed one of the greatest parts in Larkin life he valued it the most. His poems not only allowed him to vent his emotion and relieve his fears but actually control them and mold them. His poems reflect many of his habits and his general. He kept them very private and hardly ever discussed his poems they were, “a gift which came from outside and which he could not explain.” Phillip Larkin was a solitary man this is piece from Brett’s memoir that tries to describe this:

•

In his book Solitude, Anthony Storr emphasises the need for solitude for the creative process and this explains why Larkin valued it so highly. In 'Best Society', a remarkably frank poem published only after his death, he places his need for solitude as starting in childhood, which is where the foundations of our personalities are laid down:

• •

When I was a child, I thought, Casually, that solitude Never needed to be sought.

•

Later in life he knew that this was no longer true: Then, after twenty, it became At once more difficult to get And more desired -

• • •

With this came the realisation that the need for solitude was cutting him off from other people, from commitment and the acceptance of responsibilities. Our virtues are all social; if, Deprived of solitude, you chafe, It's clear you're not the virtuous sort. But his obsessional need for solitude made him turn his back on this and refuse to accept that 'to love you must have someone else'.

• • •

Viciously, then, I lock my door. The gas-fire breathes. The wind outside Ushers in evening rain. Once more Uncontradicting solitude Supports me on its giant palm; And like a sea-anemone Or simple snail, there cautiously Unfolds, emerges, what I am. Here with his door shut and in solitude he achieved the liberation words brought him.

• I thought this was one of the most important things explaining Phillip Larkin and his work. It explains his self centeredness. His insecurities and reluctance to show himself to the world without first attaching a persona to his character. The feeling of loneliness in his poems. His life is words they are his refuge from reality and with them he can shape his very being.