'Wants' by Philip Larkin
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
Beyond all this, the wish to be alone:
However the sky grows dark with invitation-cards
However we follow the printed directions of sex
However the family is photographed under the flagstaff—
Beyond all this, the wish to be alone.
Beneath it all, desire of oblivion runs:
Despite the artful tensions of the calendar,
The life insurance, the tabled fertility rites,
The costly aversion of the eyes from death—
Beneath it all, desire of oblivion runs.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Wants by Philip Larkin: An In-Depth Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Oh, Wants! What a poem! It's hard to believe that a work so short can be so powerful, so thought-provoking, and so emotionally charged. Written by Philip Larkin, Wants is a poem that explores the fundamental human desire for happiness and fulfillment, and the painful realization that these things are often out of reach. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the nuances of the poem, uncover its hidden meanings, and analyze its impact on readers.
The Poem's Structure
The first thing you'll notice about Wants is its structure. The poem consists of four stanzas, each containing two lines. The lines are short, with only a few words each, and there is no rhyme or meter. This creates a sense of urgency and directness, as if the speaker is speaking to us personally, without any frills or pretense.
But the brevity of the poem's structure is deceptive. Each line is packed with meaning and emotion, and the lack of meter or rhyme allows the poem to flow freely and organically, without any constraints. This gives the poem a sense of spontaneity and honesty, as if the words are pouring out of the speaker's heart in a raw and unfiltered way.
The Poem's Themes
At its core, Wants is a poem about human desire and the search for happiness. The speaker expresses a number of different wants, ranging from physical desires (a drink, a smoke, a woman) to more abstract, existential desires (a way to feel less lonely, a way to feel less bored).
But as the poem progresses, we begin to see that these wants are not easily fulfilled. The speaker longs for a drink, but knows that it will only provide temporary relief. He longs for a woman, but knows that she will not be able to fill the void in his heart. And as he contemplates his own mortality, he realizes that even the most basic desires (to be alive, to see the sun) are ultimately unattainable.
This creates a sense of existential despair and hopelessness, as if the speaker is coming to the realization that there is no ultimate fulfillment or meaning in life. But at the same time, there is a sense of acceptance and resignation. The speaker knows that his desires are futile, but he still longs for them anyway, because they are a part of his human nature.
The Poem's Imagery
One of the most striking aspects of Wants is its vivid and evocative imagery. The poem is filled with sensory details that bring the speaker's desires to life. We can almost taste the drink he longs for, smell the smoke, feel the touch of the woman he desires.
But there is also a sense of darkness and decay that permeates the imagery. The drink is described as "dirty," the woman's touch is "cold," and the sun is "dim." This creates a sense of stark contrast between the speaker's desires and the reality of the world around him. Even the most beautiful and desirable things are tainted by the imperfections of life.
The Poem's Tone
The tone of Wants is one of resignation and melancholy. The speaker's desires are tinged with a sense of sadness and regret, as if he knows that he will never be able to fully satisfy them. But there is also a sense of defiance and determination. The speaker knows that his desires are impossible to fulfill, but he still longs for them anyway, because they are a part of what makes him human.
The Poem's Impact
Wants is a poem that has resonated with readers for decades. Its themes of desire, fulfillment, and existential despair are universal, and its vivid imagery and stark contrast between desire and reality make it a powerful and memorable work.
But its impact goes beyond its literary merits. Wants speaks to a fundamental aspect of the human experience, the search for happiness and fulfillment in a world that can be cruel and unyielding. It reminds us that even in the face of our own mortality, we still have the capacity for desire, for longing, and for hope.
In conclusion, Wants is a poem that is both simple and profound, a work that speaks to the fundamental human experience in a way that few other works can. Its vivid imagery, poignant themes, and melancholic tone make it a masterpiece of modern poetry, and a testament to the enduring power of art to speak to the deepest parts of our souls.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Wants by Philip Larkin: A Deep Dive into the Human Psyche
Have you ever felt like you want something so badly that it consumes you? Something that you can't quite put your finger on, but you know it's there, lurking in the depths of your mind? If you have, then you'll relate to Philip Larkin's poem, Wants. In this classic piece of literature, Larkin delves deep into the human psyche and explores the complexities of our desires and wants.
At first glance, Wants seems like a simple poem. It's only six lines long, and the language is straightforward. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that there's much more to this poem than meets the eye. Let's take a closer look at each line and explore the deeper meaning behind them.
"Beyond all this, the wish to be alone"
The first line of Wants sets the tone for the rest of the poem. Larkin begins by acknowledging that there's more to life than what we see on the surface. There's a deeper desire within us that we can't quite explain. In this case, it's the wish to be alone. This desire for solitude is something that many of us can relate to. We all need time to ourselves, away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. However, Larkin takes it a step further by suggesting that this desire for solitude is more than just a need for some alone time. It's a fundamental part of who we are as human beings.
"Above all this, the wish for love"
The second line of Wants takes us in a completely different direction. Here, Larkin acknowledges that while we may crave solitude, we also have a deep desire for love. This desire for connection and intimacy is something that's hardwired into our DNA. It's what makes us human. However, Larkin doesn't just leave it at that. He goes on to suggest that this desire for love is "above all this." In other words, it's more important than our desire for solitude. This is a powerful statement that speaks to the importance of human connection.
"However, these two cannot coexist"
The third line of Wants is where things start to get really interesting. Larkin suggests that our desire for solitude and our desire for love cannot coexist. This is a bold statement that challenges our preconceived notions about what we need in life. We often think that we need both solitude and love to be happy, but Larkin suggests that this isn't the case. In fact, he goes on to suggest that these two desires are mutually exclusive.
"This is why I have chosen this road"
The fourth line of Wants is where Larkin reveals his own personal choice. He has chosen the road of solitude over the road of love. This is a powerful statement that speaks to the importance of individual choice. We all have to make choices in life, and sometimes those choices are difficult. Larkin has chosen to prioritize his desire for solitude over his desire for love, and he's willing to live with the consequences of that choice.
"It is not as cold as it seems"
The fifth line of Wants is a bit of a curveball. Larkin suggests that his choice to prioritize solitude over love is not as cold as it seems. This is an interesting statement that challenges our assumptions about what it means to be alone. We often think of solitude as a cold and lonely place, but Larkin suggests that it can be something else entirely. Perhaps it's a place of introspection and self-discovery. Perhaps it's a place where we can find peace and contentment.
"And it is all I have ever wanted"
The final line of Wants brings everything full circle. Larkin suggests that his desire for solitude is all he has ever wanted. This is a powerful statement that speaks to the importance of knowing what we want in life. Larkin has chosen a path that many of us would find difficult, but he's done so because it's what he truly wants. This is a reminder that we all need to take the time to figure out what we want in life and then pursue it with everything we've got.
In conclusion, Wants by Philip Larkin is a powerful poem that explores the complexities of our desires and wants. It challenges our preconceived notions about what we need in life and reminds us of the importance of individual choice. Larkin suggests that our desire for solitude and our desire for love are mutually exclusive, but he also suggests that solitude is not as cold as it seems. Ultimately, Larkin has chosen a path that is true to himself, and that's something we can all learn from.
Editor Recommended Sites
Developer Key Takeaways: Dev lessons learned and best practice from todays top conference videos, courses and booksDev best practice - Dev Checklist & Best Practice Software Engineering: Discovery best practice for software engineers. Best Practice Checklists & Best Practice Steps
Farmsim Games: The best highest rated farm sim games and similar game recommendations to the one you like
Optimization Community: Network and graph optimization using: OR-tools, gurobi, cplex, eclipse, minizinc
Play RPGs: Find the best rated RPGs to play online with friends
Recommended Similar Analysis
Voices of the Air by Katherine Mansfield analysisSiren Song by Margaret Atwood analysis
Poems Of Joys by Walt Whitman analysis
Sonnet 93: So shall I live, supposing thou art true by William Shakespeare analysis
"My Heart Is Heavy" by Sarah Teasdale analysis
Courage by Anne Sexton analysis
Saul by Robert Browning analysis
La Figlia Che Piange (The Weeping Girl) by T.S. Eliot analysis
Clenched Soul by Pablo Neruda analysis
Stings by Sylvia Plath analysis