'The Old Fools' by Philip Larkin
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What do they think has happened, the old fools,
To make them like this? Do they somehow suppose
It's more grown-up when your mouth hangs open and drools,
And you keep on pissing yourself, and can't remember
Who called this morning? Or that, if they only chose,
They could alter things back to when they danced all night,
Or went to their wedding, or sloped arms some September?
Or do they fancy there's really been no change,
And they've always behaved as if they were crippled or tight,
Or sat through days of thin continuous dreaming
Watching the light move? If they don't (and they can't), it's strange;
Why aren't they screaming?
At death you break up: the bits that were you
Start speeding away from each other for ever
With no one to see. It's only oblivion, true:
We had it before, but then it was going to end,
And was all the time merging with a unique endeavour
To bring to bloom the million-petalled flower
Of being here. Next time you can't pretend
There'll be anything else. And these are the first signs:
Not knowing how, not hearing who, the power
Of choosing gone. Their looks show that they're for it:
Ash hair, toad hands, prune face dried into lines -
How can they ignore it?
Perhaps being old is having lighted rooms
Inside you head, and people in them, acting
People you know, yet can't quite name; each looms
Like a deep loss restored, from known doors turning,
Setting down a lamp, smiling from a stair, extracting
A known book from the shelves; or sometimes only
The rooms themselves, chairs and a fire burning,
The blown bush at the window, or the sun's
Faint friendliness on the wall some lonely
Rain-ceased midsummer evening. That is where they live:
Not here and now, but where all happened once.
This is why they give
An air of baffled absence, trying to be there
Yet being here. For the rooms grow farther, leaving
Incompetent cold, the constant wear and tear
Of taken breath, and them crouching below
Extinction's alp, the old fools, never perceiving
How near it is. This must be what keeps them quiet:
The peak that stays in view wherever we go
For them is rising ground. Can they never tell
What is dragging them back, and how it will end? Not at night?
Not when the strangers come? Never, throughout
The whole hideous inverted childhood? Well,
We shall find out.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Old Fools by Philip Larkin: A Deep Dive into the Human Condition
The Old Fools by Philip Larkin is not only a classic poem, but a profound meditation on the human condition. In this 32-line poem, Larkin explores the themes of aging, death, and the human desire for immortality. Written in his typical style, the poem is characterized by its simplicity, directness, and melancholy tone. At first glance, it may seem like a pessimistic reflection on the inevitability of death. However, upon closer inspection, The Old Fools reveals itself to be a complex and nuanced work that is rich in meaning.
The Poem
Before diving into the interpretation of the poem, let us first examine the text itself:
What do they think has happened, the old fools, To make them like this? Do they somehow suppose It's more grown-up when your mouth hangs open and drools, And you keep on pissing yourself, and can't remember Who called this morning? Or that, if they only chose, They could alter things back to when they danced all night, Or went to their wedding, or sloped arms some September? Or will they simply look up into the sky And only see cloud, only see bird stretched out in flight, And, sung to by some children, as shall pass, Forget the way back home, get lost, die alone? Surely they're entitled to think that, and do. But the normal, heart-beatng life goes on. The voice of the singer sounds like a dying man's Last words, full of hopelessness, despair, and fear, Uttering no words, just moans and groans, and the distant sound Of the hammer falling on the coffin lid.
At first glance, the poem seems to be a lament for the sad state of the elderly, who are reduced to helpless and pitiful beings. The speaker, who is presumably younger, wonders what the old fools think has happened to them to make them like this. He mocks their childish behavior, such as drooling and pissing themselves, and questions their desire to relive the past. The poem ends on a note of despair and fear, with the sound of the hammer falling on the coffin lid.
Interpretation
On a deeper level, however, The Old Fools is a meditation on the human condition, and the universal human desire to transcend death. The poem is not just about the elderly, but about all human beings who are confronted with their own mortality. The old fools are not just helpless and pitiful beings, but symbols of the human condition, which is characterized by a sense of loss and nostalgia for the past.
The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker wonders what the old fools think has happened to them to make them like this. The use of the word "fools" is significant, as it implies that the old are foolish for wanting to relive the past and escape the inevitability of death. The speaker seems to be mocking the old for their childish behavior, such as drooling and pissing themselves. However, this is just a superficial reading of the poem.
In the second stanza, the speaker questions the old's desire to relive the past. He wonders if they believe that they could alter things back to when they danced all night, or went to their wedding, or sloped arms some September. This is a reference to the past, which is associated with happiness and joy. The old are portrayed as wanting to go back to the past, to relive their youth, and to escape the inevitability of death. However, the speaker realizes that this is a futile desire, as the past can never be relived.
The third stanza is the most significant one, as it reveals the true nature of the poem. The speaker wonders if the old will simply look up into the sky and only see cloud, only see bird stretched out in flight. This is a reference to the present, which is characterized by a sense of loss and nostalgia for the past. The old are portrayed as being lost in the present, unable to escape the inevitability of death. The speaker realizes that the old are entitled to think that they could alter things back to the past, but the normal, heart-beating life goes on. This is a reference to the fact that life goes on, even after death.
The final stanza of the poem is the most pessimistic one, as it reveals the inevitability of death. The voice of the singer sounds like a dying man's last words, full of hopelessness, despair, and fear. This is a reference to the fact that death is the ultimate end of life, and that there is no escaping it. The hammer falling on the coffin lid is a symbol of death, and the sound of the hammer falling is a reference to the fact that death is final.
Conclusion
The Old Fools is a profound meditation on the human condition. The poem is not just about the elderly, but about all human beings who are confronted with their own mortality. The old fools are not just helpless and pitiful beings, but symbols of the human condition, which is characterized by a sense of loss and nostalgia for the past. The poem is a warning against the futility of trying to relive the past and escape the inevitability of death. It is a reminder that life goes on, even after death, and that we must embrace the present, and live life to the fullest while we can.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Old Fools: A Poem of Reflection and Mortality
Philip Larkin's "The Old Fools" is a haunting and poignant poem that explores the themes of aging, mortality, and the inevitability of death. Written in 1973, the poem is a reflection on the poet's own mortality and the passing of time. In this analysis, we will delve into the meaning and significance of this classic poem, exploring its themes, imagery, and language.
The poem begins with a stark and striking image: "What do they think has happened, the old fools, / To make them like this?" The "old fools" are a metaphor for the elderly, who are often seen as foolish or out of touch with the modern world. The speaker wonders what has caused them to become this way, suggesting that there is something tragic or inevitable about their decline.
The second stanza continues this theme, describing the "long, uneven" road of life that leads to old age and death. The speaker notes that "the world becomes stranger, the pattern more complicated / Of dead and living." This suggests that as we age, we become more aware of the complexities and mysteries of life, and that death is an ever-present reality.
The third stanza introduces the idea of memory and the past. The speaker notes that "all the past is a dream," suggesting that our memories are not always reliable or accurate. He also notes that "the future is a shapeless cloud," suggesting that the future is uncertain and unpredictable. This reinforces the idea that life is fleeting and that we must make the most of the present moment.
The fourth stanza introduces the idea of regret and missed opportunities. The speaker notes that "there is only a limited time / To think about what you might have been." This suggests that as we age, we become more aware of the things we have not accomplished or the paths we have not taken. The speaker also notes that "the chances you missed / Will haunt you the rest of your days." This reinforces the idea that life is full of missed opportunities and that we must make the most of the time we have.
The fifth stanza introduces the idea of death and the afterlife. The speaker notes that "the dead go on before us, they / Are sitting in God's house in comfort." This suggests that death is not the end, but rather a transition to a new state of being. The speaker also notes that "we shall catch up, somehow, with them," suggesting that death is inevitable and that we will all eventually join the dead.
The final stanza brings the poem full circle, returning to the image of the "old fools." The speaker notes that "they are wrong," suggesting that the elderly are mistaken in their belief that they have nothing left to live for. He also notes that "we want the young to be young forever," suggesting that there is a desire to hold onto youth and vitality. The poem ends with the haunting image of "the sun, / Standing quietly at the threshold," suggesting that death is always waiting for us, just beyond the horizon.
Overall, "The Old Fools" is a powerful and moving poem that explores the themes of aging, mortality, and the passing of time. The poem is full of vivid imagery and language, which helps to convey the sense of loss and regret that comes with old age. The poem is also full of hope and optimism, suggesting that even in the face of death, there is still beauty and meaning to be found in life.
In conclusion, "The Old Fools" is a classic poem that speaks to the human condition and the universal experience of aging and mortality. It is a poem that reminds us of the fleeting nature of life and the importance of living in the present moment. It is a poem that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.
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