'I Have Started To Say' by Philip Larkin
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I have started to say
"A quarter of a century"
Or "thirty years back"
About my own life.
It makes me breathless
It's like falling and recovering
In huge gesturing loops
Through an empty sky.
All that's left to happen
Is some deaths (my own included).
Their order, and their manner,
Remain to be learnt.
Editor 1 Interpretation
I Have Started To Say: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
by a Human Writer Who Is Excited and Asks Rhetorical Questions
Philip Larkin's poem "I Have Started To Say" is a masterful work of poetry that explores the complexities of human relationships and the difficulty of expressing one's true feelings. The poem is a powerful example of Larkin's skill as a poet, and it is a testament to his ability to capture the essence of the human experience in a few simple words.
The Structure and Form of the Poem
Before diving into the interpretation of the poem, it is important to first examine its structure and form. "I Have Started To Say" is a relatively short poem, consisting of only six stanzas, each with four lines. The poem is written in free verse, with no rhyme scheme or consistent metrical pattern.
Despite its apparent lack of structure, however, the poem is carefully crafted and each line serves a specific purpose in conveying the poem's message. The poem begins with a statement of intent: "I have started to say / A quarter of a century / Old." This opening sets the tone for the poem and establishes its central theme: the passage of time and the difficulty of expressing oneself.
Each subsequent stanza builds on this theme, exploring different aspects of the speaker's feelings and experiences. The final stanza, in particular, is a powerful conclusion to the poem, as the speaker acknowledges the limitations of language and the importance of allowing oneself to feel deeply, even if it cannot be expressed in words.
Interpretation of the Poem
The central theme of "I Have Started To Say" is the difficulty of expressing oneself, particularly when it comes to matters of the heart. The speaker is aware of the limitations of language and the way in which words can fail to capture the depth of one's emotions.
This is evident in the second stanza, where the speaker notes that he has "said nothing of what matters." Despite his desire to express himself, he acknowledges that words are inadequate to convey the depth of his feelings. This sentiment is echoed in the fourth stanza, where the speaker notes that "words are all that remain / Coined by the ages for the one emotion." Here, the speaker recognizes that even though language has evolved over time, it is still limited in its ability to express the complexity of human emotions.
The poem also explores the concept of time and its impact on relationships. The opening line of the poem, "A quarter of a century / Old," suggests that the speaker has been alive for 25 years and is now reflecting on his life and experiences. This sense of time passing is further emphasized in the third stanza, where the speaker notes that "now, / Out of nowhere, I begin to understand / How years can be condensed into a single sentence." Here, the speaker acknowledges the brevity of human life and the way in which time can seem to slip away without notice.
Throughout the poem, the speaker grapples with the challenge of expressing his true feelings to others. This is evident in the fifth stanza, where the speaker reflects on the way in which he has kept his emotions hidden from others: "I have hidden my thoughts too well, / As if they were my own children." The use of the word "hidden" suggests that the speaker has deliberately concealed his true feelings from others, perhaps out of fear or a sense of shame.
The final stanza is a powerful conclusion to the poem, as the speaker acknowledges the limitations of language and the importance of allowing oneself to feel deeply, even if it cannot be expressed in words. The lines "Only by admitting / What I have withheld / Will I know what I have lost" suggest that the speaker realizes that by keeping his emotions hidden, he has missed out on something important. The final line, "I have started to say," suggests that the speaker is ready to begin expressing himself more openly, even though he knows that words may not be enough.
Conclusion
"I Have Started To Say" is a powerful and moving poem that explores the complexities of human relationships and the challenges of expressing oneself. Through its careful use of language and imagery, the poem captures the essence of the human experience and the way in which time can seem to slip away without notice.
The poem's central theme of the difficulty of expressing oneself is a universal one that will resonate with readers of all ages and backgrounds. The poem reminds us of the importance of allowing ourselves to feel deeply, even if those feelings cannot be fully expressed in words.
Overall, "I Have Started To Say" is a masterful work of poetry that showcases Philip Larkin's skill as a poet and his ability to capture the essence of the human experience in a few simple words. It is a poem that will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
I Have Started To Say: A Poem of Reflection and Regret
Philip Larkin is one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, known for his stark and unflinching portrayals of the human condition. In his poem "I Have Started To Say," Larkin explores themes of regret, aging, and the passage of time. Through his use of vivid imagery and introspective language, Larkin creates a powerful meditation on the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of change.
The poem begins with the speaker reflecting on his past, stating that he has "started to say / 'A quarter of a century'" since a particular event occurred. This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the speaker looks back on his life and contemplates the passage of time. The use of the phrase "started to say" suggests that the speaker is hesitant to fully acknowledge the amount of time that has passed, perhaps because it makes him feel old or regretful.
As the poem continues, the speaker describes how he has "started to say / 'All the same'" when confronted with the changes that have occurred in his life. This phrase suggests a resignation to the fact that things inevitably change, even if we wish they wouldn't. The speaker seems to be struggling with this idea, as he goes on to describe how he has "started to say / 'Well, nearly fifty now'" when asked about his age. This line reveals the speaker's discomfort with aging, as he tries to downplay his age and avoid acknowledging the fact that he is getting older.
Throughout the poem, Larkin uses vivid imagery to convey the speaker's sense of regret and loss. For example, he describes how the speaker has "started to say / 'I can't bear'" when confronted with the memories of his past. This line suggests that the speaker is overwhelmed by the weight of his memories, and that he is struggling to come to terms with the choices he has made in his life. Similarly, Larkin uses the image of a "fading star" to describe the speaker's sense of loss and decay. This image suggests that the speaker feels as though he is slowly fading away, and that his life is becoming less and less significant as time goes on.
Despite the poem's themes of regret and loss, there is also a sense of acceptance and resignation that runs throughout. The speaker seems to be coming to terms with the fact that he cannot change the past, and that he must accept the changes that have occurred in his life. This is reflected in the final lines of the poem, where the speaker states that he has "started to say / 'I think, then, I / shall just go on living.'" This line suggests that the speaker has come to a place of acceptance, and that he is ready to continue living his life despite the regrets and losses he has experienced.
Overall, "I Have Started To Say" is a powerful meditation on the passage of time and the inevitability of change. Through his use of vivid imagery and introspective language, Larkin creates a poignant portrait of a man struggling to come to terms with his past and his present. While the poem is tinged with regret and loss, there is also a sense of acceptance and resignation that makes it ultimately uplifting. As we all face the changes and challenges of life, Larkin's poem reminds us that we must learn to accept and embrace them if we are to continue living.
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