'Annus Mirabilis' by Philip Larkin
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Sexual intercourse began
In nineteen sixty-three
(which was rather late for me) -
Between the end of the Chatterley ban
And the Beatles' first LP.
Up to then there'd only been
A sort of bargaining,
A wrangle for the ring,
A shame that started at sixteen
And spread to everything.
Then all at once the quarrel sank:
Everyone felt the same,
And every life became
A brilliant breaking of the bank,
A quite unlosable game.
So life was never better than
In nineteen sixty-three
(Though just too late for me) -
Between the end of the Chatterley ban
And the Beatles' first LP.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Annus Mirabilis: The Year of Miracles
Philip Larkin's poem, Annus Mirabilis, is a celebration of the turning point in history that is the year 1963. It is a time of great change, both in the world and in Larkin's personal life, and the poet captures the sense of hope, uncertainty, and possibility that pervades this moment. In this essay, I will explore the many layers of meaning in this complex and enigmatic poem, examining its themes of time, memory, mortality, and the role of the artist in the face of social and political upheaval.
The Context of the Poem
Annus Mirabilis was written in 1967, four years after the events it describes. In 1963, the world was transformed by a series of momentous events, including the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the release of the Beatles' first album, and the publication of Betty Friedan's The Feminine Mystique. For Larkin, 1963 was also a year of personal transformation. He had recently been appointed librarian at the University of Hull, a post he would hold for almost thirty years, and he was beginning to establish himself as a major figure in the world of poetry.
At the same time, the world was changing around him. The post-war era of stability and prosperity was coming to an end, and the social and political upheavals of the 1960s were beginning to take shape. In this context, Larkin's poem can be seen as an attempt to make sense of the changes that were taking place, both in his own life and in the wider world.
The Structure of the Poem
Annus Mirabilis is a complex and multi-layered poem, composed of eight stanzas of varying length and structure. The poem is written in free verse, with no rhyme scheme or regular meter, and the lines are arranged in a loose, conversational style. This gives the poem a sense of informality and spontaneity, as if the poet is speaking directly to the reader.
The poem is divided into three main sections. The first section, consisting of the first four stanzas, describes the world as it was in 1963, before the events that would transform it. The second section, consisting of stanzas five and six, describes the events themselves, including the assassination of JFK and the rise of the Beatles. The third section, consisting of stanzas seven and eight, reflects on the meaning of these events and their significance for the poet.
Themes in the Poem
One of the central themes of Annus Mirabilis is time and the passage of time. The poem is full of references to time, from the opening line, "Sexual intercourse began / In nineteen sixty-three," to the closing lines, "Slowly light strengthens, and the room takes shape." Throughout the poem, Larkin reflects on the transience of life and the inevitability of change.
At the same time, the poem is also a meditation on memory and the role of memory in shaping our understanding of the past. The events of 1963 are remembered not only as historical facts but also as personal experiences, shaping the way that Larkin and others remember that year.
Another important theme in the poem is mortality, and the awareness of our own mortality that comes with the passage of time. Larkin reflects on the deaths of JFK and other public figures, as well as the deaths of ordinary people who are forgotten by history. At the same time, he also acknowledges the small moments of beauty and joy that make life worth living.
Finally, the poem is also a reflection on the role of the artist in the face of social and political upheaval. Larkin acknowledges that the events of 1963 have changed the world in profound ways, but he also recognizes that the poet's role is to bear witness to the world as it is, rather than to try to change it.
Interpretation of the Poem
At its heart, Annus Mirabilis is a poem about the power of memory and the way that our memories shape our understanding of the world. By focusing on the events of 1963, Larkin invites us to reflect on our own memories of that year, and on the way that those memories have influenced the way that we see the world today.
At the same time, the poem is also a meditation on the passage of time and the inevitability of change. Larkin reminds us that even the most significant events of history are ultimately ephemeral, and that everything that we know, everything that we love, is ultimately subject to the ravages of time.
Finally, the poem is also a reflection on the role of the artist in the face of social and political upheaval. Larkin recognizes that the events of 1963 have changed the world in profound ways, but he also acknowledges that the poet's role is not to change the world, but to bear witness to it.
Conclusion
Annus Mirabilis is a complex and multi-layered poem that invites us to reflect on the way that our memories shape our understanding of the world, and on the inevitability of change and the passage of time. It is a poem that speaks to the human condition in all its complexity and uncertainty, reminding us that even in the face of great upheaval, there is still beauty and joy to be found in the world around us.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Annus Mirabilis: A Masterpiece of Modern Poetry
Philip Larkin is one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, known for his sharp wit, dark humor, and unflinching honesty. His poem "Annus Mirabilis" is a masterpiece of modern poetry, a powerful meditation on the passing of time and the fragility of human life. In this article, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of this remarkable work, and discover why it continues to resonate with readers today.
The title of the poem, "Annus Mirabilis," translates from Latin as "year of wonders." It is a term that has been used throughout history to describe a year of great events or achievements. In Larkin's poem, however, the phrase takes on a more ironic tone. The year in question is 1963, a year that saw many significant events, including the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the release of the Beatles' first album, and the publication of Betty Friedan's "The Feminine Mystique." But for Larkin, the year was not one of wonders, but of loss and disillusionment.
The poem is divided into four stanzas, each of which focuses on a different aspect of the year. The first stanza describes the weather, which was unusually cold and snowy. Larkin uses vivid imagery to convey the harshness of the winter, describing "the sun that brief December day" as "low in the sky" and "a hard, cold sky." The second stanza shifts focus to the political events of the year, including the assassination of Kennedy. Larkin describes the shock and disbelief that followed the news, and the sense of loss that permeated the country. He writes, "All hearts have hardened by the hour / The gates of mercy are all shut." The third stanza turns to the cultural events of the year, including the rise of popular music and the sexual revolution. Larkin is critical of these developments, seeing them as signs of moral decay and social fragmentation. He writes, "Sexual intercourse began / In nineteen sixty-three / (Which was rather late for me) / Between the end of the Chatterley ban / And the Beatles' first LP." The final stanza returns to the theme of time and mortality, as Larkin reflects on the passing of another year and the inevitability of death. He writes, "What will survive of us is love," a line that has become one of his most famous.
Throughout the poem, Larkin uses a variety of literary techniques to convey his message. One of the most striking is his use of imagery, which is both vivid and evocative. In the first stanza, for example, he describes the snow as "deep and crisp and even," creating a sense of stillness and quiet. In the second stanza, he uses the image of a "black and white TV" to convey the sense of distance and detachment that people felt from the events of the year. In the third stanza, he uses the image of a "frenzied wedding" to describe the sexual revolution, suggesting that it was a chaotic and destructive force. And in the final stanza, he uses the image of "the sun that sets" to convey the sense of finality and closure that comes with the passing of time.
Another important technique that Larkin uses is repetition. Throughout the poem, he repeats certain phrases and images, creating a sense of unity and coherence. For example, he repeats the phrase "the sun that brief December day" several times, emphasizing the fleeting nature of time and the transience of human life. He also repeats the phrase "sexual intercourse began" several times, creating a sense of rhythm and momentum that builds towards the final line of the stanza. And he repeats the phrase "what will survive of us is love" twice, creating a sense of closure and resolution.
Larkin's use of language is also noteworthy. He is known for his plain, unadorned style, which is both direct and powerful. He uses simple, everyday language to convey complex ideas and emotions, and his tone is often ironic or sardonic. For example, in the third stanza, he describes the sexual revolution as "an agitated crew / Bucking and braying through / Bluebottles to clear the way." The use of the word "bluebottles" is particularly effective, as it suggests both the chaos and the decay that Larkin sees in this cultural phenomenon.
In conclusion, "Annus Mirabilis" is a remarkable poem that continues to resonate with readers today. It is a powerful meditation on the passing of time, the fragility of human life, and the complexities of modern society. Larkin's use of imagery, repetition, and language is masterful, creating a work that is both beautiful and haunting. Whether read as a commentary on the events of 1963 or as a timeless reflection on the human condition, "Annus Mirabilis" is a true masterpiece of modern poetry.
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