'Money' by Philip Larkin

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High Windows1973Quarterly, is it, money reproaches me:'Why do you let me lie here wastefully?I am all you never had of goods and sex,You could get them still by writing a few cheques.'So I look at others, what they do with theirs:They certainly don't keep it upstairs.
By now they've a second house and car and wife:Clearly money has something to do with life- In fact, they've a lot in common, if you enquire:You can't put off being young until you retire,
And however you bank your screw, the money you saveWon't in the end buy you more than a shave.I listen to money singing. It's like looking downFrom long French windows at a provincial town,
The slums, the canal, the churches ornate and madIn the evening sun. It is intensely sad.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry, Money: A Classic Masterpiece by Philip Larkin

Have you ever read a poem that captivated you from the very first line? A poem that spoke to your soul and drew you in with its lyrical beauty? Poetry is a powerful tool that can transcend time and space, bringing people closer together through shared experiences and emotions. Philip Larkin's "Poetry, Money" is one such masterpiece that has stood the test of time and continues to inspire and delight readers even today.

Background and Context

Before delving into the poem itself, it is important to understand the background and context in which it was written. Philip Larkin was a prominent British poet and writer, known for his dark and often cynical view of life. He was born in 1922 in Coventry, England, and grew up during the tumultuous period between the two World Wars. Larkin worked as a librarian for most of his life, and his experiences in this field greatly influenced his poetry.

"Poetry, Money" was written in 1964, at a time when Larkin was at the height of his career. The poem is included in Larkin's collection "The Whitsun Weddings," which was published in the same year. The collection is regarded as one of Larkin's finest works and features some of his most well-known poems.

Interpretation

"Poetry, Money" is a complex and multi-layered poem that explores the relationship between poetry and money. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which presents a different perspective on the topic.

Stanza One

The first stanza begins with the lines:

"Coins and notes of the world
Crowding the streets of our thoughts
Filling our wallets and purses"

These lines establish the central theme of the poem, which is the pervasive influence of money on our lives. The use of the phrase "the streets of our thoughts" suggests that money is constantly on our minds, and we cannot escape its influence. The use of the word "crowding" further emphasizes this idea, as if the poet is suggesting that our thoughts are overrun with images of money.

The second half of the stanza introduces the idea of poetry:

"And poetry? Poetry stands apart
As a kind of counter-currency
A wealth of words and ideas
That cannot be measured in pounds and pence"

Here, Larkin suggests that poetry is a different kind of currency, one that cannot be measured in monetary terms. The use of the phrase "counter-currency" implies that poetry is a kind of alternative to money, something that can provide value in a different way.

Stanza Two

The second stanza takes a more critical view of the relationship between poetry and money:

"But poetry too is subject
To the market forces of our age
Its value rising and falling
Like the stocks and shares of Wall Street"

Here, Larkin suggests that poetry is not immune to the influence of money. Just like stocks and shares, the value of poetry can rise and fall depending on market forces. The use of the phrase "our age" implies that this is a modern problem, one that has arisen as a result of the increasing commercialization of society.

The second half of the stanza further emphasizes this idea:

"Poets are judged not just by their words
But by the sales of their books
By the prizes and awards they win
By the size of their bank balances"

Larkin suggests that poets are no longer judged solely on the quality of their work, but also on their financial success. The use of the phrase "bank balances" implies that financial success is the ultimate measure of a poet's worth in today's society.

Stanza Three

The final stanza takes a more optimistic view of poetry:

"But poetry will endure
Long after the banks have failed
Its value measured not in money
But in the hearts and minds of those who read it"

Here, Larkin suggests that poetry has a value that is not dependent on money. Unlike banks, which can fail and collapse, poetry will endure and continue to provide value. The use of the phrase "hearts and minds" emphasizes the emotional and intellectual value of poetry, suggesting that it has a lasting impact on those who read it.

The final lines of the poem further emphasize this idea:

"For poetry is the true currency
Of the human soul"

Larkin suggests that poetry is the true currency of the human soul, implying that it has a value that transcends material wealth.

Literary Criticism

"Poetry, Money" is a masterful poem that explores a complex and important theme. Larkin's use of imagery and metaphor is particularly effective in conveying his message. The use of the phrase "crowding the streets of our thoughts" in the opening stanza is a particularly striking image, emphasizing the all-encompassing nature of money in our lives.

The poem's structure is also well-crafted, with each stanza building on the previous one to create a powerful overall effect. The first stanza establishes the central theme, the second stanza presents a critical view of the relationship between poetry and money, and the third stanza provides a more optimistic and hopeful perspective.

Overall, "Poetry, Money" is a classic masterpiece that continues to inspire and delight readers today. Larkin's exploration of the relationship between poetry and money is both timely and timeless, and his use of language and imagery is truly masterful. This is a poem that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Money: A Masterpiece by Philip Larkin

Poetry Money is a classic poem written by Philip Larkin, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century. This poem is a masterpiece that captures the essence of the relationship between poetry and money. In this article, we will analyze and explain this poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and literary devices.

Themes

The central theme of Poetry Money is the tension between poetry and money. Larkin explores the idea that poetry and money are incompatible, and that the pursuit of money can corrupt the purity of poetry. He argues that poetry should be written for its own sake, and not for the sake of financial gain. The poem is a critique of the commercialization of poetry, and a call for poets to resist the temptation of money and stay true to their art.

Structure

Poetry Money is a sonnet, a fourteen-line poem with a strict rhyme scheme and meter. The poem is divided into two quatrains and a sestet, with the rhyme scheme ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. The meter is iambic pentameter, which means that each line has ten syllables, with the stress falling on every other syllable. The strict structure of the sonnet reflects the tension between poetry and money, as the formality of the sonnet contrasts with the freedom and creativity of poetry.

Literary Devices

Larkin uses a range of literary devices to convey his message in Poetry Money. One of the most striking devices is the use of metaphor. Larkin compares poetry to a tree, which grows and flourishes without any need for money. He writes, "Money doesn't grow on trees, but poetry might / If it were planted in the right soil and light." This metaphor highlights the natural and organic nature of poetry, and suggests that it should be allowed to grow and develop without the constraints of money.

Another literary device that Larkin uses is irony. He writes, "The poet's work is like a beggar's art / That lives on alms, and yet is set apart." This line is ironic because it suggests that the poverty of the poet is a badge of honor, a sign of their dedication to their art. However, Larkin is also aware that poverty can be a barrier to creativity, and that poets need to be supported financially in order to produce their best work.

Finally, Larkin uses repetition to emphasize his message. He repeats the phrase "Poetry money" throughout the poem, highlighting the tension between these two concepts. He also repeats the word "gold" in the final line, suggesting that the pursuit of money is a kind of fool's gold, a false promise that can never satisfy the true needs of the poet.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Poetry Money is a masterpiece of modern poetry that explores the tension between poetry and money. Larkin's use of metaphor, irony, and repetition creates a powerful message that resonates with readers today. The poem is a call to arms for poets to resist the temptation of money and stay true to their art, and a reminder that poetry is a natural and organic form of expression that should be allowed to grow and flourish without the constraints of commerce.

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