Structure= Ode (lyric poem), Iambic pentameter symbolises a train
moving, Triadic structure of repetition. Longest poem in the collection
(reenacts sense of longevity).
Rhyme scheme= enjambment distorts regular rhythm (stanza one)
- constant caesura in stanza five suggests lack of movement and feeling
stuck - reveals speaker's feeling towards idea of marriage
- Similar to Keats' 'Ode to a Nightingale' as the rhyme scheme of ABAB
CDECDE is the same. The poem by Keats is Romantic, meant to praise
someone or something
- Nature and its beauty, presenting it as having a higher power.
- Larkin also praises nature and beauty using this structure. But there's
an IRONY to this, as the nature morphs into industry which is described
negatively
- It is CHRONOLOGICAL - idea of a journey, shown through
the metaphor of the train. Idea of a 'natural order' or a 'factory'.
The caesura and enjambement mimic the movement of a train =
caesura mimics the stops/stillness + enjambement = moves
(journey of life) as setting up negative atmosphere.
Title and “That Whitsun, I was getting away”-= implies that all weddings
seem the same to Larkin (misogamy- hatred of marriage), "The" definite
article, reader could infer that Larkin views marriage as the death of the
individual (1950s society- fewer divorces so couldn't leave). Demotic
“that”-disarmingly casual tone = tone of indifference.
‘all windows down, all cushions hot, all sense”- diacope/anaphora-close
repetition (repetition of all = creates a sense all-encompassing = harmony
of the collective = cumulative effect.)- amalgamation of multiple journeys
that Larkin has taken and is perhaps a reflection of the
interconnectedness of human existence.
“where sky and Lincolnshire and water meet”- metrical lines = lines of
pure clean iambic pentameter = hypnotic effect = deepening of thought =
distant perspective of the observer. There is a lead away from urban
decay-sense of innate harmonisation intrinsic to natural imagery.
“all afternoon, through the tall heat that slept for miles inland”- -
assonance + gentle consonance = soothing sound = lulled to sleep-
emphasised by 'tall heat' = sleepy feeling result of rising temps-lethargic
feel of country side + Larkins ease in the environment.
“shadowed cattle, and…Canals with floatings of industrial froth:...A
hothouse flashed uniquely”- -industrial froth = contrast with suburban
area creates impression that industrial areas = signify change = ugly +
damaging to the natural world-froth = pollution = unnaturalness of
consumerism = waste = key theme = couple is fresh right now but
temporary= symbol of the industrial matter that has taken over the
natural world. enjambement in lines = Larkin is unable to highlight all of
the problems with industrial expansion in one line- epistemic injustice.
moving, Triadic structure of repetition. Longest poem in the collection
(reenacts sense of longevity).
Rhyme scheme= enjambment distorts regular rhythm (stanza one)
- constant caesura in stanza five suggests lack of movement and feeling
stuck - reveals speaker's feeling towards idea of marriage
- Similar to Keats' 'Ode to a Nightingale' as the rhyme scheme of ABAB
CDECDE is the same. The poem by Keats is Romantic, meant to praise
someone or something
- Nature and its beauty, presenting it as having a higher power.
- Larkin also praises nature and beauty using this structure. But there's
an IRONY to this, as the nature morphs into industry which is described
negatively
- It is CHRONOLOGICAL - idea of a journey, shown through
the metaphor of the train. Idea of a 'natural order' or a 'factory'.
The caesura and enjambement mimic the movement of a train =
caesura mimics the stops/stillness + enjambement = moves
(journey of life) as setting up negative atmosphere.
Title and “That Whitsun, I was getting away”-= implies that all weddings
seem the same to Larkin (misogamy- hatred of marriage), "The" definite
article, reader could infer that Larkin views marriage as the death of the
individual (1950s society- fewer divorces so couldn't leave). Demotic
“that”-disarmingly casual tone = tone of indifference.
‘all windows down, all cushions hot, all sense”- diacope/anaphora-close
repetition (repetition of all = creates a sense all-encompassing = harmony
of the collective = cumulative effect.)- amalgamation of multiple journeys
that Larkin has taken and is perhaps a reflection of the
interconnectedness of human existence.
“where sky and Lincolnshire and water meet”- metrical lines = lines of
pure clean iambic pentameter = hypnotic effect = deepening of thought =
distant perspective of the observer. There is a lead away from urban
decay-sense of innate harmonisation intrinsic to natural imagery.
“all afternoon, through the tall heat that slept for miles inland”- -
assonance + gentle consonance = soothing sound = lulled to sleep-
emphasised by 'tall heat' = sleepy feeling result of rising temps-lethargic
feel of country side + Larkins ease in the environment.
“shadowed cattle, and…Canals with floatings of industrial froth:...A
hothouse flashed uniquely”- -industrial froth = contrast with suburban
area creates impression that industrial areas = signify change = ugly +
damaging to the natural world-froth = pollution = unnaturalness of
consumerism = waste = key theme = couple is fresh right now but
temporary= symbol of the industrial matter that has taken over the
natural world. enjambement in lines = Larkin is unable to highlight all of
the problems with industrial expansion in one line- epistemic injustice.
