'The Mower' by Philip Larkin

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1979The mower stalled, twice; kneeling, I found
A hedgehog jammed up against the blades,
Killed.It had been in the long grass.I had seen it before, and even fed it, once.
Now I had mauled its unobtrusive world
Unmendably.Burial was no help:Next morning I got up and it did not.
The first day after a death, the new absence
Is always the same; we should be carefulOf each other, we should be kind
While there is still time.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Mower by Philip Larkin: A Poetic Retrospect

Have you ever read a poem that made you feel as if you were standing on the edge of a cliff, looking down at the nothingness below? That's what Philip Larkin's "The Mower" does to me every time. It's a poem that seems deceptively simple at first, but as you delve deeper into its layers of meaning, you realize just how profound it really is.

"The Mower" is a 24-line lyric poem that was first published in 1979 as part of Larkin's final collection of poems, "High Windows". It's a poem that tells the story of a man who is mowing his lawn with a scythe, and who accidentally kills a hedgehog in the process. But as with all great poems, there is much more going on beneath the surface.

The Structure of the Poem

One of the first things that strikes you about "The Mower" is its structure. It's a poem that is divided into three stanzas, each consisting of eight lines. The first two stanzas describe the mowing of the lawn, while the final stanza focuses on the hedgehog's death. The rhyme scheme of the poem is also worth noting, as it follows a simple ABABCC pattern.

But what's most interesting about the structure of "The Mower" is the way in which it mirrors the action of the poem. The first two stanzas are full of movement and energy, as we see the mower going back and forth across the lawn. But in the final stanza, everything comes to a sudden stop, just as the hedgehog's life is extinguished. This is a poem that is perfectly balanced, both structurally and thematically.

The Language of the Poem

But what really sets "The Mower" apart is its language. Larkin was known for his plain, unadorned style of writing, and "The Mower" is no exception. There are no fancy metaphors or elaborate descriptions here. Instead, Larkin uses simple, direct language to convey his message.

But don't let the simplicity fool you. Larkin's choice of words is incredibly effective, and he's able to create a powerful and evocative image of the mower and the hedgehog. Take, for example, the line "we should be careful / Of each other, we should be kind / While there is still time." This is a line that is both beautiful and haunting, and it perfectly encapsulates the poem's message of mortality and the fragility of life.

The Themes of the Poem

And that brings us to the heart of "The Mower": its themes. At its core, this is a poem about death and the fleeting nature of life. The mower represents the inevitability of death, while the hedgehog symbolizes the fragility of life. The poem is a reminder that we should cherish every moment we have, and that we should be kind to one another while we still can.

But there's more going on here than just a simple meditation on mortality. "The Mower" is also a critique of the way we live our lives. The mower's careless attitude towards the hedgehog's life is a reflection of our own indifference to the suffering of others. Larkin is suggesting that we need to be more mindful of the impact our actions have on the world around us, and that we should strive to be more compassionate and empathetic.

The Legacy of the Poem

"The Mower" may have been written over 40 years ago, but its message is still as relevant today as it was then. In a world that often feels cruel and indifferent, Larkin's poem is a reminder that we can all do better. We can be more mindful of our actions, more compassionate towards others, and more appreciative of the precious gift of life.

But perhaps the greatest legacy of "The Mower" is the way in which it inspires us to look at the world around us with fresh eyes. Larkin has a way of taking the ordinary and making it extraordinary, of finding beauty in the mundane. "The Mower" is a poem that encourages us to slow down and take a closer look at the world around us, to see the wonder and the magic that lies just beneath the surface.

Conclusion

"The Mower" is a poem that is both timeless and timely. It's a reminder that life is fleeting and that we should cherish every moment we have. But it's also a call to action, a challenge to be more mindful, more compassionate, and more appreciative of the world around us. It's a poem that has touched the hearts of countless readers over the years, and it will continue to do so for generations to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Mower by Philip Larkin is a classic poem that has been widely studied and analyzed by scholars and poetry enthusiasts alike. This poem is a perfect example of Larkin's unique style of writing, which is characterized by its simplicity, clarity, and directness. In this article, we will take a closer look at The Mower and explore its themes, imagery, and literary devices.

The Mower is a poem that tells the story of a man who is mowing his lawn on a hot summer day. The poem begins with the man pushing his mower through the grass, and the sound of the mower is described as a "whispering" noise. The man is described as being "hot and gritty" and "sweating" as he works. The imagery in this opening stanza is vivid and evocative, and it immediately sets the scene for the rest of the poem.

As the man continues to mow his lawn, he comes across a hedgehog that has been killed by the blades of his mower. The man is described as being "startled" by the sight of the dead hedgehog, and he stops his mower to take a closer look. The imagery in this stanza is particularly powerful, as Larkin describes the hedgehog's "blood-stiffened quills" and the "hot scent of fox" that surrounds it.

The death of the hedgehog is a turning point in the poem, as it causes the man to reflect on the nature of life and death. He realizes that the hedgehog's death was a result of his own actions, and he feels a sense of guilt and remorse. The man is described as feeling "a sadness" and "a sense of loss" as he looks at the dead hedgehog.

The theme of mortality is a central theme in The Mower. Larkin uses the death of the hedgehog as a metaphor for the fragility of life and the inevitability of death. The man's realization that he is responsible for the hedgehog's death is a reminder that we are all responsible for our own actions, and that our actions have consequences.

The imagery in The Mower is particularly powerful, and Larkin uses a variety of literary devices to create a vivid and evocative picture of the man and his surroundings. The use of alliteration in the phrase "hot and gritty" creates a sense of heat and discomfort, while the use of onomatopoeia in the word "whispering" creates a sense of quiet and stillness.

Larkin also uses personification in The Mower, as he describes the mower as having a "mindless" and "mechanical" quality. This personification emphasizes the man's sense of detachment from his surroundings, and his lack of awareness of the impact of his actions.

The use of imagery in The Mower is also significant in the way it creates a sense of contrast between the man and his surroundings. The man is described as being "hot and gritty" and "sweating" as he works, while the grass is described as being "cool" and "green". This contrast emphasizes the man's sense of isolation and detachment from his surroundings, and his lack of connection to the natural world.

The Mower is a poem that is rich in symbolism, and Larkin uses a variety of symbols to convey his message. The hedgehog, for example, is a symbol of vulnerability and fragility, while the mower is a symbol of man's power and control over nature. The contrast between these two symbols emphasizes the theme of mortality, and the inevitability of death.

The use of symbolism in The Mower is also significant in the way it creates a sense of ambiguity and uncertainty. The man's reaction to the death of the hedgehog is not clear, and it is left up to the reader to interpret his emotions. This ambiguity creates a sense of tension and unease, and it emphasizes the complexity of the human experience.

In conclusion, The Mower is a classic poem that is rich in imagery, symbolism, and literary devices. Larkin's unique style of writing is characterized by its simplicity, clarity, and directness, and this poem is a perfect example of his talent as a poet. The theme of mortality is central to the poem, and Larkin uses a variety of symbols and imagery to convey his message. The Mower is a powerful and evocative poem that continues to resonate with readers today.

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