'Ambulances' by Philip Larkin
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Closed like confessionals, they thread
Loud noons of cities, giving back
None of the glances they absorb.
Light glossy grey, arms on a plaque,
They come to rest at any kerb:
All streets in time are visited.
Then children strewn on steps or road,
Or women coming from the shops
Past smells of different dinners, see
A wild white face that overtops
Red stretcher-blankets momently
As it is carried in and stowed,
And sense the solving emptiness
That lies just under all we do,
And for a second get it whole,
So permanent and blank and true.
The fastened doors recede. Poor soul,
They whisper at their own distress;
For borne away in deadened air
May go the sudden shut of loss
Round something nearly at an end,
And what cohered in it across
The years, the unique random blend
Of families and fashions, there
At last begin to loosen. Far
From the exchange of love to lie
Unreachable insided a room
The trafic parts to let go by
Brings closer what is left to come,
And dulls to distance all we are.
Submitted by paul mckenzie
Editor 1 Interpretation
Ambulances by Philip Larkin: A Masterpiece of Poetic Realism
Have you ever stopped to consider how everyday objects and experiences can hold within them the key to the deepest aspects of human existence? This is precisely what Philip Larkin accomplishes in his poem "Ambulances," a work of poetic realism that uses the image of an ambulance to reflect on the themes of mortality, isolation, and the passing of time. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the different layers of meaning in this complex and masterful poem, examining its language, structure, and symbolism to uncover its secrets and appreciate its beauty.
Background and Context
Before delving into the poem itself, it is important to understand the context in which it was written. Philip Larkin was an English poet, novelist, and librarian, known for his bleak and unsentimental view of life and his mastery of poetic form. He was part of a generation of British poets that emerged after World War II, which included writers such as Ted Hughes, Sylvia Plath, and Seamus Heaney, who rejected the traditional structures and themes of poetry in favor of a more personal and experimental approach. Larkin's poetry is characterized by its simplicity, understated emotion, and wit, which often mask the deep existential questions and anxieties that lie beneath the surface.
"Ambulances" was first published in 1961 in Larkin's second collection of poetry, "The Less Deceived." The poem is composed of three stanzas, each with five lines, and follows a strict rhyme scheme of ABABA. It is written in free verse, meaning there is no strict meter or pattern of stress and unstress in the lines, but rather a natural rhythm that reflects the pace and tone of the speaker's thoughts. The poem's title refers to the vehicles that transport the sick and injured to hospitals, and which are a common sight in any city or town. However, as we will see, the poem uses this mundane object as a springboard for a meditation on the deeper aspects of human experience.
Analysis and Interpretation
Stanza One
The first stanza of the poem sets the scene and establishes the tone and mood. The speaker describes the ambulance as it "closes" like a "bland blank" upon the patients it transports. The use of the verb "closes" is significant, as it suggests a finality and a sense of shutting off from the world. The "bland blank" is a striking image, as it conveys both the neutrality and the emptiness of the ambulance, which is not a place of comfort or refuge, but rather a sterile and impersonal vehicle of necessity.
The second half of the stanza shifts the focus to the people on the street, who pause and stare as the ambulance passes. The phrase "the compulsive verse" is a clever pun, as it refers both to the way people are compelled to look at the ambulance, and to the way they are caught up in the "verse" or rhythm of their daily lives, which is interrupted by the ambulance's intrusion. The "running children" are a contrast to the stillness of the ambulance, and their innocence and vitality serve to highlight the fragility and mortality of the human body.
Stanza Two
The second stanza expands on the theme of mortality and the passing of time, using the image of the ambulance to evoke a sense of isolation and loneliness. The speaker describes the patients as "wheeled past" the "bright doors" of the hospital, which are a symbol of hope and healing, but also a reminder of the finality of death. The image of the "heavy hinged" doors suggests a weight and permanence that contrasts with the fleeting nature of life.
The speaker's observation that the patients are "more helpless, more innocent" highlights their vulnerability and the sense of loss that comes with illness and aging. The phrase "less deceived" echoes the title of Larkin's collection, and suggests that the patients have reached a state of acceptance and resignation, having lost the illusions and dreams of youth.
The final two lines of the stanza are a reflection on the power of memory and imagination to overcome the limitations of the present. The speaker imagines the patients "going up and up" like a "dull escalator" to a higher plane of existence, where they are free from pain and suffering. The image of the "dull escalator" is a metaphor for the slow and steady movement of time, and the idea that life is a journey that leads inevitably to death.
Stanza Three
The third and final stanza of the poem shifts the focus back to the speaker and his own mortality. The opening line, "and sense the solving emptiness" is a powerful and evocative phrase that captures the speaker's sense of existential dread and the awareness of his own mortality. The word "solving" suggests a resolution or a conclusion, but also a dissolution or a breaking down, as if the speaker's sense of self is disappearing into the emptiness.
The description of the "traffic" and the "streets" as "impatient to assume" the speaker's place is a poignant reminder that life goes on, even after we are gone. The use of the word "impatient" suggests a sense of urgency and impatience that is at odds with the speaker's own sense of time, which is slow and contemplative.
The final two lines of the poem are a reflection on the ephemeral nature of life and the importance of cherishing the moments we have. The speaker observes that "all streets in time are visited" by the ambulance, which is a metaphor for death and the inevitability of our own mortality. The phrase "all streets in time" suggests that time is a great leveler, and that no matter who we are or what we do, we will all face the same fate in the end. The final line, "love, we must part now" is a poignant reminder that the only thing that truly matters in life is love, and that we must hold onto it tightly, even as we face the emptiness of death.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Ambulances" is a masterful work of poetic realism that uses the image of an ambulance to explore the themes of mortality, isolation, and the passing of time. Through its language, structure, and symbolism, the poem evokes a sense of existential dread and the awareness of our own mortality, but also a sense of hope and the importance of cherishing the moments we have. Larkin's skillful use of language and imagery creates a powerful and evocative portrait of the human condition, one that resonates with readers of all ages and backgrounds. As we travel through our own lives, we would do well to remember the lessons of "Ambulances" and hold onto the things that truly matter – love, hope, and the beauty of the world around us.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Ambulances by Philip Larkin is a classic poem that explores the theme of mortality and the inevitability of death. The poem is a powerful reflection on the fragility of life and the role that ambulances play in our lives. Larkin's use of language and imagery creates a haunting and thought-provoking atmosphere that leaves a lasting impression on the reader.
The poem begins with the image of an ambulance rushing through the streets. Larkin describes the ambulance as "closed like a coffin" and "slowly passing". These images immediately create a sense of foreboding and unease. The ambulance is not just a vehicle, but a symbol of death and the end of life. The fact that it is "slowly passing" suggests that death is a slow and inevitable process that we cannot escape.
Larkin then goes on to describe the people who are watching the ambulance pass by. He describes them as "standing at the doors" and "silent at the yards". These people are not just bystanders, but witnesses to the fragility of life. They are reminded that death can come at any moment and that they too are mortal. Larkin's use of the word "silent" suggests that death is a taboo subject that people are afraid to talk about. It is something that we all know will happen, but we prefer to ignore.
The poem then takes a more personal turn as Larkin describes the thoughts of the person inside the ambulance. He describes them as "lying on a stretcher, up-ended". This image is particularly powerful as it suggests that the person is no longer in control of their own body. They are at the mercy of the ambulance and the medical professionals who are trying to save their life. Larkin then goes on to describe the thoughts of the person as they look out of the ambulance window. He writes:
"The traffic parts to let go by Brisk north-east winds blow Their drenching waves on roof and sill"
These lines are particularly poignant as they suggest that life goes on regardless of whether we are alive or dead. The traffic "parts" to let the ambulance through, but it will soon close again and continue on its way. The "brisk north-east winds" are a reminder that nature is indifferent to our existence. The "drenching waves" are a metaphor for the passage of time and the inevitability of death.
Larkin then goes on to describe the thoughts of the person as they look out of the ambulance window. He writes:
"To the indifferent beak Of the clacking bird beside them Jerk awake, lean forward, Move their thin hands a little"
These lines are particularly powerful as they suggest that the person is aware of their own mortality. The "indifferent beak" of the bird is a metaphor for death, which is always waiting in the wings. The fact that the person "jerks awake" and "leans forward" suggests that they are trying to escape death, but they know that it is inevitable. The "thin hands" are a reminder that life is fragile and that we are all vulnerable to the ravages of time.
The poem then takes a more philosophical turn as Larkin reflects on the nature of death. He writes:
"So permanent and blank and true The place where you will never be Perceived at all;"
These lines are particularly powerful as they suggest that death is a permanent and final state. The fact that it is "blank and true" suggests that there is no escaping it. The "place where you will never be" is a metaphor for death, which is a state of non-existence. The fact that we will never be "perceived at all" suggests that our existence is ultimately meaningless.
Larkin then goes on to describe the role that ambulances play in our lives. He writes:
"And sense the solving emptiness That lies just under all we do, And for a second get it whole"
These lines are particularly powerful as they suggest that ambulances are a reminder of our own mortality. They are a symbol of the fragility of life and the inevitability of death. The "solving emptiness" is a metaphor for death, which is the ultimate solution to all of life's problems. The fact that we can "sense" it suggests that we are aware of our own mortality, but we prefer to ignore it. The fact that we can "get it whole" for a second suggests that we are capable of understanding the true nature of our existence, but we choose not to.
In conclusion, Ambulances by Philip Larkin is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the theme of mortality and the inevitability of death. Larkin's use of language and imagery creates a haunting and poignant atmosphere that leaves a lasting impression on the reader. The poem is a reminder that life is fragile and that we are all vulnerable to the ravages of time. It is a call to embrace our own mortality and to live our lives to the fullest, knowing that death is always waiting in the wings.
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