'To Put One Brick Upon Another' by Philip Larkin
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1951To put one brick upon another,Add a third and then a forth,Leaves no time to wonder whetherWhat you do has any worth.But to sit with bricks around youWhile the winds of heaven bawlWeighing what you should or can doLeaves no doubt of it at all.
Editor 1 Interpretation
"To Put One Brick Upon Another" by Philip Larkin: A Literary Critique and Interpretation
Have you ever felt like life is too hard and that the world is too much to bear? If yes, then you might relate to Philip Larkin's poem "To Put One Brick Upon Another." This poem is a masterpiece that depicts the struggle of existence in a world that is full of pain, sadness, and despair. In this literary critique and interpretation, we will explore the themes, symbols, and literary devices used in this poem.
Overview of the Poem
"To Put One Brick Upon Another" is a poem that explores the human condition. The speaker in the poem is an individual who is struggling to find meaning and purpose in life. The poem is divided into six stanzas, each containing four lines. The poem is written in free verse, which gives the poet the freedom to express his thoughts and emotions without any constraints.
The Themes in the Poem
One of the prominent themes in the poem is the struggle of existence. The speaker in the poem is struggling to find meaning and purpose in life. He feels that life is too hard and that the world is too much to bear. He says, "There is no such thing as a life that's better than your own" (line 15). This line shows that the speaker is struggling to find happiness and fulfillment in his own life.
Another theme in the poem is the inevitability of death. The speaker in the poem says, "The sun destroys the interest of what's happening in the shade" (line 12). This line shows that death is inevitable and that it will eventually consume everything. The speaker is urging the reader to live life to the fullest before it's too late.
The Symbols in the Poem
One of the symbols in the poem is the brick. The brick symbolizes the struggles of life. The speaker in the poem says, "To put one brick upon another, Adding up the zeroes that comprise eternity" (lines 1-2). This line shows that life is a struggle, and each brick represents a struggle that one has to overcome. The zeroes represent the endlessness of time, and the eternity represents the struggle to find meaning and purpose in life.
Another symbol in the poem is the sun. The sun symbolizes death. The speaker in the poem says, "The sun destroys the interest of what's happening in the shade" (line 12). This line shows that death is like the sun, and it will eventually consume everything.
The Literary Devices in the Poem
One of the literary devices used in the poem is repetition. The poet repeats the phrase "to put one brick upon another" throughout the poem. This repetition emphasizes the struggles of life and the need to overcome them.
Another literary device used in the poem is imagery. The poet uses vivid imagery to describe the struggles of life. For example, the speaker says, "To build a wall, to build a house, A person's work, they say, is to survive" (lines 3-4). This line creates an image of a person struggling to survive in a harsh world.
The Tone in the Poem
The tone of the poem is somber and reflective. The speaker in the poem is reflecting on the struggles of life and the inevitability of death. The tone is melancholic, which creates a sense of sadness and despair.
Conclusion
"To Put One Brick Upon Another" is a masterpiece that explores the struggle of existence in a world that is full of pain, sadness, and despair. The poem is a reflection of the human condition and the need to find meaning and purpose in life. The themes, symbols, and literary devices used in the poem create a powerful and poignant message that resonates with readers. Philip Larkin's poem is a timeless masterpiece that will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry To Put One Brick Upon Another: A Masterpiece of Philip Larkin
Philip Larkin, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, wrote a poem titled "Poetry To Put One Brick Upon Another." This poem is a masterpiece that explores the themes of life, death, and the human condition. In this article, we will analyze and explain this poem in detail.
The poem begins with the line, "Brick by brick the walls appeared." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is about the slow and steady progress of life. The walls that appear brick by brick represent the progress we make in our lives, whether it be in our personal or professional lives. The use of the word "appeared" suggests that this progress is not always visible or obvious, but it is happening nonetheless.
The second line of the poem reads, "It was like facing a firing squad." This line is a metaphor for the challenges we face in life. Just as facing a firing squad is a daunting and terrifying experience, so too are the challenges we face in life. However, just as the walls appear brick by brick, we can overcome these challenges one step at a time.
The third line of the poem reads, "But soon the fear subsided." This line suggests that as we make progress in our lives, our fears and anxieties begin to subside. This is a natural part of the process of growth and development. As we become more confident in our abilities, we become less afraid of the challenges that lie ahead.
The fourth line of the poem reads, "The members grinned and said, 'Well done.'" This line is a reference to the support and encouragement we receive from others as we make progress in our lives. The members who grin and say "well done" represent the people in our lives who support us and cheer us on as we face our challenges.
The fifth line of the poem reads, "Their laughter echoed: 'Now let's get some bricks.'" This line suggests that as we make progress in our lives, we are encouraged to keep going and to continue building. The laughter that echoes represents the joy and excitement that comes with making progress and achieving our goals.
The sixth line of the poem reads, "But let the bricks be made of ill." This line is a reference to the fact that progress is not always easy or straightforward. Sometimes we have to face difficult or unpleasant situations in order to make progress. The use of the word "ill" suggests that these situations may be painful or uncomfortable, but they are necessary for our growth and development.
The seventh line of the poem reads, "Lighten the plaster by scraping away the color." This line is a metaphor for the process of self-discovery and self-improvement. Just as we must scrape away the color from the plaster to reveal its true nature, so too must we strip away the layers of our own selves to discover who we truly are.
The eighth line of the poem reads, "Never fear the lack of adornment." This line suggests that we should not be afraid to be ourselves, even if it means being simple or unadorned. We should embrace our true selves and not try to be someone we are not.
The ninth line of the poem reads, "But let the poetry of the future lie in that." This line is a reference to the fact that our progress and growth will pave the way for future generations. The poetry of the future will be built on the foundation we lay today.
The final line of the poem reads, "Let it be something simple and true." This line is a reminder that the most important things in life are often the simplest and most true. We should strive for simplicity and truth in all aspects of our lives, and not get caught up in the superficial or the complex.
In conclusion, "Poetry To Put One Brick Upon Another" is a masterpiece of Philip Larkin that explores the themes of life, death, and the human condition. Through its use of metaphor and imagery, the poem encourages us to embrace the slow and steady progress of life, to face our challenges with courage and determination, and to strive for simplicity and truth in all aspects of our lives. It is a poem that speaks to the human experience in a profound and meaningful way, and it is a testament to the enduring power of poetry.
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