'Days' by Philip Larkin

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What are days for?
Days are where we live.
They come, they wake us
Time and time over.
They are to be happy in:
Where can we live but days?Ah, solving that question
Brings the priest and the doctor
In their long coats
Running over the fields.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Days by Philip Larkin: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Picture this: it's a lazy Sunday afternoon, and you're seated in a lush garden, surrounded by fragrant flowers and towering trees. You're holding a copy of Philip Larkin's "Days," and as you begin to read it, you're transported to a world of fleeting moments, lost opportunities, and unfulfilled desires. Such is the power of Larkin's poetry, and "Days" is a prime example of his ability to capture the essence of life in all its beauty and brutality.

Background and Context

Before we delve into the poem itself, let's take a moment to understand the man behind it. Philip Larkin was a British poet, novelist, and librarian, born in Coventry in 1922. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest poets of the 20th century, and his works are known for their stark realism, dark humor, and unsentimental portrayal of human nature.

Larkin's poetry is often associated with the movement known as "The Movement," which emerged in the 1950s and emphasized traditional forms of poetry and a rejection of the experimentalism of earlier modernist poets. However, Larkin's work transcends any strict categorization and is characterized by its unique voice and perspective.

"Days" was published in Larkin's collection "The Whitsun Weddings" in 1964, and it quickly became one of his most popular and critically acclaimed poems. It is a deceptively simple poem that explores the theme of time and our relationship to it.

Poem Analysis

Let's now take a closer look at the poem itself. "Days" is divided into three stanzas, each consisting of four lines. The poem follows a strict rhyme scheme (ABAB), and the meter is iambic tetrameter, which means each line has four stressed and four unstressed syllables.

The first stanza sets the tone for the entire poem: "What are days for?/ Days are where we live./ They come, they wake us/ Time and time over." The opening question immediately draws the reader in and invites us to consider the purpose of our existence. The answer, "Days are where we live," is simple but profound, reminding us that our lives are made up of a series of moments that we must fully embrace and appreciate.

The second stanza takes a more contemplative turn, as Larkin reflects on the fleeting nature of time: "They are to be happy in:/ Where can we live but days?" The use of the word "happy" here is significant, as it suggests that happiness is not a constant state but rather something we must actively seek and find in the everyday moments of our lives.

The third and final stanza is perhaps the most poignant of all: "Ah, solving that question/ Brings the priest and the doctor/ In their long coats/ Running over the fields." The sudden appearance of the priest and the doctor suggests that the question of the purpose of our existence is one that has plagued humanity for centuries and that there are no easy answers. The image of the two figures running over the fields creates a sense of urgency and desperation, as if they are searching for something that can never be found.

Throughout the poem, Larkin's language is simple and straightforward, but his use of imagery is powerful. The idea of time as a relentless force that "comes, they wake us/ Time and time over" is particularly effective in conveying the sense of inevitability that we all feel when confronting our mortality.

Themes and Interpretation

So what is "Days" really about? At its core, the poem is a meditation on the human experience and our relationship to time. It reminds us that our lives are shaped by the moments we experience and that we must make the most of them while we can.

Larkin's portrayal of time as a relentless force that cannot be stopped or controlled is both sobering and liberating. On the one hand, it can be a source of anxiety and despair, as we realize that our time on this earth is limited. On the other hand, it can be a call to action, a reminder that we must seize the day and live our lives to the fullest.

The poem also touches on the theme of mortality, as Larkin acknowledges the inevitability of death and the fact that our time on this earth is finite. However, he also suggests that there is a certain beauty to this transience, as it gives our lives a sense of urgency and purpose.

Another interesting interpretation of the poem is that it can be seen as a critique of modern society and its emphasis on productivity and efficiency. Larkin suggests that the true purpose of our lives is not to achieve some external measure of success but rather to experience the moments that make up our days.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Days" is a masterful poem that captures the essence of life in all its beauty and brutality. It reminds us that our lives are made up of a series of moments that we must fully embrace and appreciate, and that time is a precious and fleeting resource that we must use wisely.

Larkin's language is simple but powerful, and his use of imagery is particularly effective in conveying the sense of inevitability that we all feel when confronting our mortality. Ultimately, "Days" is a reminder to live our lives to the fullest, to find happiness in the everyday moments, and to cherish the time we have while we can.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Days: A Masterpiece by Philip Larkin

If you are a poetry enthusiast, you must have come across Philip Larkin's Poetry Days. This masterpiece is a collection of poems that explores the themes of love, death, and the human condition. Larkin's unique style of writing, coupled with his ability to capture the essence of life, has made Poetry Days a timeless classic.

In this article, we will delve into the world of Poetry Days and explore the themes, style, and impact of Larkin's work.

Themes

One of the most striking features of Poetry Days is the themes that Larkin explores. Love, death, and the human condition are the three main themes that run throughout the collection. Larkin's exploration of these themes is both profound and thought-provoking.

Love is a recurring theme in Poetry Days. Larkin's portrayal of love is not the typical romanticized version that we see in movies and books. Instead, he presents love as a complex and often painful emotion. In the poem "Love Songs in Age," Larkin writes, "She kept her songs, they kept so little space, / The covers pleased her: / One bleached from lying in a sunny place, / One marked in circles by a vase of water." These lines depict the sadness and loneliness that often accompany love in old age.

Death is another theme that Larkin explores in Poetry Days. He presents death as an inevitable part of life that we must all face. In the poem "Ambulances," Larkin writes, "Closed like confessionals, they thread / Loud noons of cities, giving back / None of the glances they absorb." These lines depict the finality of death and the sense of isolation that comes with it.

The human condition is the third theme that Larkin explores in Poetry Days. He presents the human experience as one that is often marked by loneliness, despair, and the search for meaning. In the poem "High Windows," Larkin writes, "And immediately / Rather than words comes the thought of high windows: / The sun-comprehending glass, / And beyond it, the deep blue air, that shows / Nothing, and is nowhere, and is endless." These lines capture the sense of emptiness and longing that often accompanies the human experience.

Style

Larkin's style of writing is another aspect of Poetry Days that sets it apart from other collections of poetry. He is known for his use of simple language and his ability to convey complex emotions through his writing.

One of the most striking features of Larkin's style is his use of imagery. He uses vivid and often unexpected images to convey his ideas. In the poem "The Trees," Larkin writes, "Their greenness is a kind of grief." These lines use the image of green trees to convey the sadness and melancholy that often accompany life.

Another feature of Larkin's style is his use of repetition. He often repeats certain phrases or words to create a sense of rhythm and emphasis. In the poem "This Be The Verse," Larkin writes, "They fuck you up, your mum and dad. / They may not mean to, but they do." These lines use repetition to emphasize the idea that our parents have a profound impact on our lives.

Impact

Poetry Days has had a profound impact on the world of poetry. Larkin's unique style of writing and his exploration of complex themes have made him one of the most influential poets of the 20th century.

One of the ways in which Poetry Days has had an impact is by inspiring other poets. Larkin's use of simple language and vivid imagery has influenced a generation of poets who seek to convey complex emotions through their writing.

Another way in which Poetry Days has had an impact is by challenging traditional notions of poetry. Larkin's work is often seen as a departure from the traditional forms and themes of poetry. His exploration of everyday life and his use of simple language have challenged the idea that poetry must be complex and difficult to understand.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Poetry Days is a masterpiece of modern poetry. Larkin's exploration of love, death, and the human condition is both profound and thought-provoking. His unique style of writing and his ability to convey complex emotions through simple language have made him one of the most influential poets of the 20th century. If you are a poetry enthusiast, Poetry Days is a must-read.

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