'Poetry Of Departures' by Philip Larkin

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Sometimes you hear, fifth-hand,
As epitaph:
He chucked up everything
And just cleared off,
And always the voice will sound
Certain you approve
This audacious, purifying,
Elemental move.

And they are right, I think.
We all hate home
And having to be there:
I detest my room,
It's specially-chosen junk,
The good books, the good bed,
And my life, in perfect order:
So to hear it said

He walked out on the whole crowd
Leaves me flushed and stirred,
Like Then she undid her dress
Or Take that you bastard;
Surely I can, if he did?
And that helps me to stay
Sober and industrious.
But I'd go today,

Yes, swagger the nut-strewn roads,
Crouch in the fo'c'sle
Stubbly with goodness, if
It weren't so artificial,
Such a deliberate step backwards
To create an object:
Books; china; a life
Reprehensibly perfect.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry Of Departures: A Masterpiece of Modern Poetry

Poetry Of Departures is a masterpiece of modern poetry written by Philip Larkin. The poem, which was first published in 1964, speaks about the theme of leaving and the importance of moving on. It is a beautiful and poignant piece of literature that captures the essence of human emotions of loss and separation.

Background Information

Philip Larkin is one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century. Born in Coventry, England, in 1922, he was a librarian by profession and had a passion for writing poetry. His works are characterized by their simplicity, clarity, and the way they capture the ordinary and mundane aspects of life. Poetry Of Departures is one of his most famous works and is considered a classic of modern poetry.

Structure and Form

The poem is structured in three stanzas, each consisting of six lines. The lines are written in a simple and straightforward manner and are easy to understand. The poem follows an ABABCC rhyme scheme, which adds to its musicality and gives it a sense of rhythm.

Analysis and Interpretation

The poem begins with the speaker observing the departure of an airplane. He reflects on the various aspects of the departure, such as the sound of the engines, the sight of the plane disappearing into the sky, and the feelings of separation that it brings.

Sometimes you hear, fifth-hand,
As epitaph:
He chucked up everything
And just cleared off,
And always the voice will sound
Certain you approve
This audacious, purifying,
Elemental move.

The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the speaker reflects on the idea of leaving and the sense of liberation it brings. The use of the phrase "elemental move" suggests that leaving is a fundamental part of human experience and that it is necessary for growth and change.

In the second stanza, the speaker reflects on the idea of leaving and the sense of freedom it brings. He speaks about the sense of detachment that comes with leaving and how it can be a positive thing.

And some are never
From the moment stirred
By thinking of a town
Where spelling's not absurd,
Or never get it quite,
Or yet could never see
Why ministers in aeroplanes
Shall rather look out than look in. 

The second stanza speaks about the desire to leave and the sense of excitement that comes with new experiences. The speaker suggests that leaving can be a positive thing, as it allows us to see things from a new perspective and experience new things.

The third and final stanza of the poem speaks about the importance of moving on and the need to leave the past behind. The speaker reflects on the idea that leaving can be painful, but it is necessary for growth and change.

Listen: 

far-off, the unimportant roar
Of cities, remote, hysteric,
And then, 

suddenly, to leave
The pavement and enter the grass,
Watching the houses shrink
To a minuscule mass;

The third stanza brings the poem to a close with a sense of hope and optimism. The speaker suggests that leaving can be difficult, but it is necessary to move on and embrace new experiences. The use of the phrase "enter the grass" suggests a return to nature and a sense of renewal.

Conclusion

Poetry Of Departures is a beautiful and poignant poem that captures the essence of human emotions of loss and separation. The poem speaks about the theme of leaving and the importance of moving on. It is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the essence of the human experience and to evoke emotions in the reader. Philip Larkin's use of simple language and straightforward structure make this poem both accessible and beautiful. It is a classic of modern poetry and a must-read for anyone who loves literature.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry of Departures: A Masterpiece of Larkin's Art

Philip Larkin is one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, known for his unique style and ability to capture the essence of modern life. His poem "Poetry of Departures" is a masterpiece of his art, exploring the theme of leaving and the emotions that come with it. In this article, we will analyze and explain this classic poem in detail, exploring its meaning, structure, and literary devices.

The poem begins with a simple statement: "Sometimes you hear, fifth-hand, / As epitaph: He chucked up everything / And just cleared off." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, introducing the theme of leaving and the sense of finality that comes with it. The use of the word "epitaph" suggests that the person in question has died, and the phrase "chucked up everything" implies that they have abandoned their previous life and responsibilities. The phrase "just cleared off" reinforces this sense of sudden departure, suggesting that the person left without warning or explanation.

The second stanza continues this theme, describing the aftermath of the person's departure: "And always the voice will sound / Certain you meant to come / To things impossible to know." The use of the word "voice" suggests that the speaker is hearing the words of others, perhaps gossip or rumors about the departed person. The phrase "certain you meant to come" implies that the person had intended to return, but the use of the word "impossible" suggests that this is unlikely. This creates a sense of ambiguity and uncertainty, leaving the reader to wonder what really happened to the person in question.

The third stanza shifts the focus to the speaker's own experiences of leaving: "And the talkers were afraid, / And the silence of departure, / And the sobbing whispers of love." Here, the speaker describes the emotions that come with leaving, including fear, silence, and sadness. The use of the phrase "sobbing whispers of love" suggests that the speaker is leaving behind someone they care about deeply, adding a personal and emotional dimension to the poem.

The fourth stanza returns to the theme of departure more generally, describing the experience of leaving behind a familiar place: "And looking back in room / You've seen the room you're leaving / With the furniture oddly familiar." The use of the phrase "looking back" suggests that the speaker is leaving something behind, and the description of the room and its furniture creates a sense of nostalgia and familiarity. This reinforces the idea that leaving is not just about physical departure, but also about leaving behind a sense of familiarity and comfort.

The fifth and final stanza brings the poem to a close, with the speaker reflecting on the experience of leaving: "And the novel, sad, conclusion / Made the verse inevitable, / And the engraving of your thought." The use of the word "novel" suggests that the experience of leaving is something new and unfamiliar, while the phrase "sad conclusion" reinforces the sense of finality and loss. The use of the word "inevitable" suggests that leaving is a necessary part of life, while the phrase "engraving of your thought" implies that the experience will stay with the speaker for a long time to come.

In terms of structure, the poem is composed of five stanzas, each consisting of three lines. This creates a sense of symmetry and balance, reinforcing the theme of departure and the idea that leaving is a natural part of life. The use of enjambment, where the lines run on from one to the next without punctuation, creates a sense of flow and continuity, reinforcing the idea that leaving is a process rather than a single event.

In terms of literary devices, the poem makes use of several techniques to create its effect. The use of repetition, particularly in the phrase "And the," creates a sense of rhythm and momentum, while the use of alliteration, such as in the phrase "sobbing whispers of love," creates a sense of musicality and emotion. The use of metaphor, such as in the phrase "engraving of your thought," creates a sense of depth and complexity, while the use of imagery, such as in the description of the room and its furniture, creates a sense of nostalgia and familiarity.

In conclusion, "Poetry of Departures" is a masterful poem that explores the theme of leaving and the emotions that come with it. Through its use of structure, literary devices, and imagery, the poem creates a sense of finality and loss, while also suggesting that leaving is a natural part of life. Larkin's unique style and ability to capture the essence of modern life make this poem a true masterpiece of his art, and a must-read for anyone interested in poetry or literature.

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