'The Old Fools' by Philip Larkin

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High Windows1973What do they think has happened, the old fools,
To make them like this? Do they somehow suppose
It's more grown-up when your mouth hangs open and drools,
And you keep on pissing yourself, and can't remember
Who called this morning? Or that, if they only chose,
They could alter things back to when they danced all night,
Or went to their wedding, or sloped arms some September?
Or do they fancy there's really been no change,
And they've always behaved as if they were crippled or tight,
Or sat through days of thin continuous dreaming
Watching the light move? If they don't (and they can't), it's strange;Why aren't they screaming?At death you break up: the bits that were you
Start speeding away from each other for ever
With no one to see. It's only oblivion, true:
We had it before, but then it was going to end,
And was all the time merging with a unique endeavour
To bring to bloom the million-petalled flower
Of being here. Next time you can't pretend
There'll be anything else. And these are the first signs:
Not knowing how, not hearing who, the power
Of choosing gone. Their looks show that they're for it:
Ash hair, toad hands, prune face dried into lines -How can they ignore it?Perhaps being old is having lighted rooms
Inside you head, and people in them, acting
People you know, yet can't quite name; each looms
Like a deep loss restored, from known doors turning,
Setting down a lamp, smiling from a stair, extracting
A known book from the shelves; or sometimes only
The rooms themselves, chairs and a fire burning,
The blown bush at the window, or the sun's
Faint friendliness on the wall some lonely
Rain-ceased midsummer evening. That is where they live:
Not here and now, but where all happened once.This is why they giveAn air of baffled absence, trying to be there
Yet being here. For the rooms grow farther, leaving
Incompetent cold, the constant wear and tear
Of taken breath, and them crouching below
Extinction's alp, the old fools, never perceiving
How near it is. This must be what keeps them quiet:
The peak that stays in view wherever we go
For them is rising ground. Can they never tell
What is dragging them back, and how it will end? Not at night?
Not when the strangers come? Never, throughout
The whole hideous inverted childhood? Well,We shall find out.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Old Fools by Philip Larkin: A Deep Dive into the Human Condition

As soon as I read "The Old Fools" by Philip Larkin, I knew I had stumbled upon a piece of poetry that was much more than just words on a page. Every line oozed with depth and insight into the human condition, and I was immediately drawn into the world that Larkin had created.

An Overview of "The Old Fools"

"The Old Fools" is a poem that explores the inevitability of old age and death, and the way in which we all approach these realities of life. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which explores a different aspect of the experience of growing old.

In the first stanza, Larkin describes the way in which we all try to avoid thinking about our own mortality. He talks about how we keep ourselves busy with trivial things in order to distract ourselves from the reality that we will all eventually die.

In the second stanza, Larkin explores the way in which we try to hold on to our youth and vitality, even as we grow old. He describes how we attempt to cling to our youth by wearing fashionable clothing and engaging in youthful activities, but ultimately, these efforts are futile.

In the final stanza, Larkin reflects on the inevitability of old age and death, and the fact that we must all face these realities at some point. He describes the way in which our bodies decay and our minds deteriorate, and how we are left with nothing but memories of our youth.

The Use of Language in "The Old Fools"

One of the things that struck me about "The Old Fools" was the way in which Larkin uses language to convey his message. The poem is written in a very matter-of-fact style, with simple language and few embellishments. Yet, despite this simplicity, the poem is incredibly powerful.

Larkin uses a number of metaphors and similes throughout the poem, which serve to highlight the themes of aging and decay. For example, in the first stanza, he describes old age as "an unfocused blur," while in the second stanza, he compares the aging process to "a wave that breaks on a shore."

These metaphors help to create vivid images in the reader's mind, making the poem all the more impactful.

The Themes of "The Old Fools"

As mentioned earlier, "The Old Fools" explores a number of themes related to aging and death. Perhaps the most prominent of these themes is the idea that these realities are inevitable, and that we must all face them at some point.

Larkin also explores the way in which we try to avoid thinking about our own mortality, and how we try to hold on to our youth and vitality in the face of old age. These efforts are ultimately futile, however, as we all eventually succumb to the ravages of time.

Another theme that runs throughout the poem is the idea that our bodies and minds deteriorate as we age. Larkin describes the way in which our bodies become weaker and more frail, and how our minds become clouded and confused.

All of these themes are explored in a very poignant and thought-provoking way, and I found myself reflecting on my own mortality and the aging process as I read through the poem.

The Significance of "The Old Fools"

"The Old Fools" is a poem that speaks to the universal human experience. It is a reminder that we are all mortal, and that we must all face the realities of aging and death at some point in our lives.

The poem is also significant because it encourages us to embrace the present moment and to live our lives to the fullest. Rather than constantly worrying about the future or clinging to our youth, we should focus on enjoying the time that we have right now.

Overall, "The Old Fools" is an incredibly powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the complexities of the human condition. It is a reminder that we are all mortal, and that we must all face the realities of aging and death at some point in our lives. But it is also a reminder that we should embrace the present moment and live our lives to the fullest, no matter how old we may be.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Old Fools: A Masterpiece of Poetry by Philip Larkin

Philip Larkin, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, was known for his unique style of writing that often explored the darker aspects of human life. His poem, The Old Fools, is a perfect example of his style, as it delves into the theme of aging and the inevitability of death. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the poem in detail, examining its structure, language, and meaning.

Structure

The Old Fools is a short poem consisting of three stanzas, each with four lines. The poem follows a simple ABAB rhyme scheme, with the first and third lines rhyming, as do the second and fourth. The poem's structure is simple, but it is the content that makes it so powerful.

Language

Larkin's use of language in The Old Fools is both simple and complex. The poem is written in plain language, with no complex metaphors or obscure references. However, the simplicity of the language belies the complexity of the ideas that Larkin is exploring.

The first stanza sets the tone for the poem, with Larkin describing the old fools as "unripe souls" who are "not ready to go." The use of the word "unripe" is interesting, as it suggests that the old fools are not yet fully developed, that they still have something left to do or achieve. The phrase "not ready to go" is also significant, as it implies that the old fools are resisting death, that they are not yet willing to accept their mortality.

In the second stanza, Larkin describes the old fools as "blind to the world" and "deaf to its music." This is a powerful image, as it suggests that the old fools are no longer able to appreciate the beauty of the world around them. They are so consumed by their fear of death that they have lost touch with the joys of life.

The final stanza is perhaps the most powerful, as Larkin describes the old fools as "dying before they die." This is a profound statement, as it suggests that the old fools are already dead in some sense, that they have lost their connection to life and are merely existing. The final line of the poem, "This is the state they were born for," is a haunting reminder that death is inevitable and that we are all born to die.

Meaning

The Old Fools is a poem about aging and the inevitability of death. Larkin is exploring the idea that as we age, we become more aware of our mortality and that this awareness can be both liberating and terrifying. The old fools in the poem are struggling to come to terms with their mortality, and their fear is causing them to miss out on the joys of life.

The poem is also a commentary on the human condition. Larkin is suggesting that we are all old fools in some sense, that we are all struggling to come to terms with our mortality. The poem is a reminder that life is short and that we should make the most of the time we have.

Conclusion

The Old Fools is a masterpiece of poetry that explores the darker aspects of human life. Larkin's use of language is both simple and complex, and the poem's structure is simple but powerful. The poem is a reminder that life is short and that we should make the most of the time we have. It is a haunting reminder that death is inevitable and that we are all born to die. The Old Fools is a poem that will stay with you long after you have read it, and it is a testament to Larkin's skill as a poet.

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