'Long Sight In Age' by Philip Larkin
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They say eyes clear with age,
As dew clarifies air
To sharpen evenings,
As if time put an edge
Round the last shape of things
To show them there;
The many-levelled trees,
The long soft tides of grass
Wrinkling away the gold
Wind-ridden waves- all these,
They say, come back to focus
As we grow old.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Long Sight In Age by Philip Larkin: A Critical Analysis
Are you a fan of poetry? If so, you have probably already heard of Philip Larkin, one of the most prominent and celebrated poets of the 20th century. His work has inspired countless literary critics and poets alike, and continues to captivate readers to this day. In this essay, we will delve into one of Larkin's most well-known works, "Long Sight In Age", and explore the themes and literary techniques that make it such a masterpiece.
Overview
"Long Sight In Age" is a poignant and reflective poem that explores the idea of growing old and losing one's sight. It was first published in 1974 in Larkin's collection of poetry, "High Windows", and quickly became one of his most famous works. In the poem, Larkin uses vivid imagery and strong emotions to convey his thoughts on aging and the inevitability of time.
Analysis
The poem consists of three stanzas, each with six lines. The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, with Larkin describing how he can see distant objects clearly, but struggles to focus on things up close:
I see a face, a mouth and eyes
Like a caught bird's; then clear again
Above the useless hands that lie
Still on the desk, beside the phone,
The pencil resting on the tray,
And the books, and the grey day.
The bird metaphor is particularly effective here, as it creates a sense of fragility and vulnerability. The image of a bird caught in a trap is a familiar one, and it immediately conjures up feelings of helplessness and entrapment. By comparing a person's face to a bird's, Larkin is suggesting that we are all trapped in our bodies, unable to escape the inevitable effects of aging.
The second stanza continues this theme, as Larkin describes how his vision has deteriorated over time:
I have a sense of what it is
To see without glasses or specs,
The world blurred like a bad dream,
A sorry sight, a dismal wreck.
The future will be more of this,
Yet nothing said, and nothing done.
The use of the phrase "a sorry sight, a dismal wreck" is particularly poignant, as it conveys a sense of sadness and despair. Larkin seems to be suggesting that old age is a kind of shipwreck, where one is left stranded and alone with their thoughts. The final line of the stanza, "Yet nothing said, and nothing done", adds to this sense of hopelessness, as if Larkin is resigned to his fate and sees no way out of it.
The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful, as Larkin reflects on his own mortality and the passing of time:
It is the future that creates
This sense of utter weariness,
The merest sight of what awaits
Those who survive the final stress
Of what I know; yet I would share
Nothing, and am nowhere yet.
The use of the phrase "the final stress" is particularly effective here, as it suggests that death is not just an end, but a kind of struggle or battle. Larkin seems to be suggesting that death is something to be feared and avoided, as if it were a kind of enemy that must be defeated. The final line of the poem, "Nothing, and am nowhere yet", adds to this sense of uncertainty and dread, as if Larkin is unsure of what lies ahead for him.
Themes
There are several themes present in "Long Sight In Age", including:
Aging
One of the central themes of the poem is aging and its effects on the body and mind. Larkin describes how his vision has deteriorated over time, and how he struggles to do things that were once easy for him. This sense of loss and decline is a common theme in Larkin's work, as he often explored the idea of mortality and the inevitability of death.
Isolation
Another theme present in the poem is isolation. Larkin seems to be suggesting that growing old is a kind of solitary experience, where one is left alone with their thoughts and memories. The image of the desk and the books, for example, suggests a kind of intellectual isolation, where one is cut off from the world of ideas and knowledge.
Fear of Death
Perhaps the most powerful theme present in the poem is the fear of death. Larkin seems to be suggesting that death is something to be feared and avoided, and that it represents a kind of final struggle or battle. The final line of the poem, "Nothing, and am nowhere yet", suggests that Larkin is unsure of what lies ahead for him, and that he is afraid of what might happen when he dies.
Literary Techniques
There are several literary techniques present in "Long Sight In Age", including:
Metaphor
One of the most effective literary techniques used by Larkin in the poem is metaphor. The bird metaphor in the first stanza, for example, is particularly powerful, as it conveys a sense of vulnerability and entrapment. Larkin also uses metaphors to describe the effects of aging, such as the shipwreck metaphor in the second stanza.
Imagery
Another literary technique used by Larkin in the poem is imagery. The image of the desk and the books, for example, creates a sense of intellectual isolation, while the image of the blurred world in the second stanza conveys a sense of helplessness and despair. Larkin's use of vivid imagery helps to create a powerful and evocative poem that engages the reader's senses and emotions.
Repetition
Finally, Larkin uses repetition to great effect in the poem. The repetition of the phrase "nothing said, and nothing done" in the second stanza, for example, creates a sense of hopelessness and resignation, while the repetition of the phrase "yet" in the final stanza creates a sense of uncertainty and fear.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Long Sight In Age" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the themes of aging, isolation, and fear of death. Larkin's use of metaphor, imagery, and repetition creates a poem that engages the reader's senses and emotions, and leaves a lasting impression. If you are a fan of poetry, or simply interested in exploring the ideas and themes of one of the greatest poets of the 20th century, then "Long Sight In Age" is a must-read.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Long Sight In Age: A Poem of Reflection and Regret
Philip Larkin’s poem “Long Sight In Age” is a poignant reflection on the inevitability of aging and the regrets that come with it. Through vivid imagery and a melancholic tone, Larkin captures the essence of the human experience and the fleeting nature of life.
The poem begins with a description of the speaker’s physical state, as he notes that his eyesight has deteriorated with age. He describes how he can no longer see the details of the world around him, and how everything appears blurry and indistinct. This metaphorical blindness serves as a powerful symbol for the speaker’s emotional state, as he struggles to come to terms with the passage of time and the loss of his youth.
As the poem progresses, the speaker reflects on the past and the choices he has made. He laments the missed opportunities and the roads not taken, wondering what might have been if he had made different choices. He regrets the times he wasted and the chances he let slip away, recognizing that he can never go back and change the past.
The poem’s central theme is the inevitability of aging and the regrets that come with it. Larkin captures the sense of loss and longing that accompanies the passage of time, as the speaker looks back on his life and wonders what might have been. He recognizes that he can never recapture the moments that have passed, and that his life is now defined by the choices he has made.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of vivid imagery to convey the speaker’s emotional state. Larkin’s descriptions of the world around him are rich and evocative, painting a picture of a world that is both beautiful and fleeting. The speaker’s sense of loss is palpable, as he describes the world slipping away from him and the memories of his youth fading into the distance.
Another key element of the poem is its use of repetition and rhyme. The repeated use of the phrase “long sight in age” serves to reinforce the poem’s central theme, while the rhyme scheme creates a sense of musicality and rhythm. This musicality serves to heighten the emotional impact of the poem, as the reader is drawn into the speaker’s world and experiences his sense of loss and regret.
In conclusion, “Long Sight In Age” is a powerful and moving poem that captures the essence of the human experience. Through vivid imagery, repetition, and rhyme, Larkin creates a world that is both beautiful and fleeting, and a speaker who is struggling to come to terms with the passage of time. The poem serves as a reminder of the importance of living in the moment and making the most of the time we have, before it slips away from us forever.
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