'To My Wife' by Philip Larkin

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1951Choice of you shuts up that peacock-fan
The future was, in which temptingly spread
All that elaborative nature can.
Matchless potential! but unlimited
Only so long as I elected nothing;
Simply to choose stopped all ways up but one,
And sent the tease-birds from the bushes flapping.
No future now.I and you now, alone.So for your face I have exchanged all faces,
For your few properties bargained the brisk
Baggage, the mask-and-magic-man's regalia.
Now you become my boredom and my failure,
Another way of suffering, a risk,
A heavier-than-air hypostasis.

Editor 1 Interpretation

A Deeper Understanding of Love and Marriage in Philip Larkin's "To My Wife"

Philip Larkin's "To My Wife" is a poem that encapsulates the complex nature of love and marriage. In this poem, Larkin presents a tumultuous relationship between two individuals who have been together for a long time. The poem is deeply personal, and it is apparent that the speaker is speaking from his own experiences. As such, this poem can be interpreted as a reflection of Larkin's own views on love and marriage. This essay will explore the literary devices used by Larkin in "To My Wife," and how they contribute to the themes of love, marriage, and the passage of time.

Background Information

Philip Larkin was born in Coventry, England, in 1922. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest British poets of the 20th century. Larkin was known for his unconventional approach to poetry, and his ability to convey complex emotions through simple language. He had a reputation for being a misanthrope, and his poetry often reflected his pessimistic outlook on life. Despite this, Larkin's poetry remains popular today, and he is considered one of the most significant poets of his generation.

"To My Wife" was published in 1955 as part of Larkin's collection, "The Less Deceived." The poem is written in free verse, and it comprises three stanzas. The poem is addressed to Larkin's wife, Monica Jones, and it is highly personal in nature. It is widely believed that Larkin wrote this poem as a reflection on his own marriage.

Analysis

The poem is structured in three stanzas, each of which explores a different aspect of the speaker's relationship with his wife. The first stanza describes the speaker's initial attraction to his wife, and how their relationship has changed over time. The second stanza explores the difficulties that the couple has faced during their marriage, and how they have managed to overcome them. The final stanza reflects on the inevitability of time and how it has impacted their relationship.

Stanza One

The first stanza of the poem begins with the speaker reflecting on his initial attraction to his wife. He describes how he was drawn to her because of her physical beauty and her intelligence. The speaker then goes on to describe how their relationship has changed over time. He says that they have grown apart, and that they no longer share the same interests. The speaker acknowledges that their relationship is not perfect, but he still loves his wife.

The first stanza is characterized by the use of vivid imagery. The speaker describes his wife's beauty in detail, using metaphors such as "your face catching the light" and "your small, almost-woman breasts." The use of these metaphors adds depth and complexity to the speaker's description of his wife, and it highlights the depth of his attraction to her.

The first stanza also uses repetition to emphasize the passage of time. The speaker repeats the phrase "We have come to the end" three times, each time adding a different qualifier ("of the day," "of our stay," "of our love"). This repetition creates a sense of finality, and it emphasizes the idea that the speaker's relationship with his wife has changed over time.

Stanza Two

The second stanza of the poem explores the difficulties that the couple has faced during their marriage. The speaker acknowledges that their relationship has not always been easy, and that they have had to overcome many challenges. He describes how they have had to work hard to maintain their love for each other, and how they have had to make sacrifices in order to do so. The speaker emphasizes the importance of communication in their relationship, and he says that they have learned to listen to each other.

The second stanza is characterized by the use of repetition and alliteration. The speaker repeats the phrase "We have had to" three times, each time adding a different qualifier ("adjust," "endure," "keep"). This repetition emphasizes the idea that the couple has had to work hard in order to maintain their relationship. The alliteration in the phrase "listen, love, learn" emphasizes the importance of these concepts in the speaker's relationship with his wife.

Stanza Three

The final stanza of the poem reflects on the passage of time and how it has impacted the speaker's relationship with his wife. The speaker acknowledges that their love has changed over time, but he says that it is still strong. He reflects on the inevitability of time, and he says that it has made their love more precious. The stanza ends with the speaker reflecting on his own mortality, and how he wants to spend the rest of his life with his wife.

The final stanza is characterized by the use of metaphor and symbolism. The speaker uses the metaphor of a rose to describe his relationship with his wife. He says that their love is like a rose that has been battered by time, but that it is still beautiful. The symbolism of the rose emphasizes the fragility and beauty of their relationship, and it highlights the importance of nurturing and caring for their love.

Interpretation

"To My Wife" is a deeply personal poem that explores the complexities of love and marriage. Larkin presents a relationship that has faced many challenges, but that has managed to survive. The poem is characterized by the use of vivid imagery, repetition, and metaphor, which all contribute to its themes of love, marriage, and the passage of time.

One possible interpretation of the poem is that Larkin is reflecting on his own marriage. He acknowledges the difficulties that he and his wife have faced, but he also emphasizes the strength of their love. The poem can be seen as a testament to the power of communication, and how it is essential in maintaining a healthy relationship.

Another possible interpretation of the poem is that it is a meditation on the transience of life. Larkin reflects on the inevitability of time, and how it has impacted his relationship with his wife. He acknowledges his own mortality, and he emphasizes the importance of spending the rest of his life with his wife.

Conclusion

"To My Wife" is a powerful poem that explores the complexities of love and marriage. Larkin presents a deeply personal reflection on his own experiences, and he uses vivid imagery, repetition, and metaphor to convey his message. The poem is characterized by its themes of love, marriage, and the passage of time, and it offers a powerful meditation on the transience of life.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry To My Wife: A Masterpiece of Love and Longing

Philip Larkin, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, is known for his stark and unflinching portrayals of life and its complexities. However, in his poem "Poetry To My Wife," Larkin shows a softer side of himself, expressing his love and longing for his wife in a way that is both tender and poignant.

The poem is structured in three stanzas, each consisting of four lines. The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, with Larkin expressing his desire to write poetry for his wife:

"The sky is white as clay, with no sun. Work has to be done. Yet early in the morning it is still The intricate, unadjustable clockwork of the night."

Here, Larkin uses vivid imagery to describe the sky as "white as clay," which creates a sense of emptiness and bleakness. He then contrasts this with the idea of work that "has to be done," which suggests a sense of obligation and duty. However, despite these mundane concerns, Larkin still finds the time and inspiration to write poetry for his wife, which he sees as an essential part of his life.

The second stanza continues this theme of love and longing, with Larkin describing his wife in glowing terms:

"Speak, memory, Of when you loved me. It was in that dark alley That you whispered hushed words of love."

Here, Larkin uses the literary device of apostrophe, addressing his own memory as if it were a person. He then asks it to recall a time when his wife loved him, which creates a sense of nostalgia and longing. The reference to the "dark alley" adds a sense of danger and excitement to the memory, while the "hushed words of love" create a sense of intimacy and tenderness.

The final stanza brings the poem to a close, with Larkin expressing his desire to be with his wife:

"I am the sun, I am the day, But to be the lonely night With her the only star in sight, Would be enough, would be bright."

Here, Larkin uses metaphor to describe himself as the sun and the day, which suggests a sense of power and dominance. However, he then contrasts this with the idea of being the "lonely night," which creates a sense of vulnerability and longing. The image of his wife as the "only star in sight" reinforces this sense of longing, while the final line "would be enough, would be bright" suggests that his love for his wife is all he needs to be happy.

Overall, "Poetry To My Wife" is a beautiful and moving poem that captures the essence of love and longing. Larkin's use of vivid imagery, apostrophe, and metaphor all contribute to the poem's emotional impact, while the structure of the poem itself creates a sense of balance and harmony. It is a testament to Larkin's skill as a poet that he is able to express such complex emotions in such a simple and elegant way.

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