Afternoons Flashcards
(13 cards)
Philip Larkin context
•Many poems deal with the theme of loss, mortality and time.
•He was known for his post-war, melancholic and observational style.
•He was associated with the “movement” school of poetry
•He lived in a flat in Hull, where he could observe families on a nearby playground
“summer is fading”
The change in season may signify the progress through life, symbolising the death of hope
“leaves fall in ones and twos”
The slow, gradual change from summer to winter is almost unnoticeable
“the hollows of afternoons”
there is a lack of depth and meaning
“young mothers assemble”
Very dull and monotonous, highlighting the structure and continuous routine they have to go through. ‘young’ could show their loss of innocence as their lives now focused on their children.
“setting free their children”
only the children are free, whilst mothers are trapped by domesticity
“behind them, at intervals”
It is constantly at the back of women’s minds and lives
“stand husbands in skilled trades”
the women feel a lack of support from their husbands.
“an estateful of washing”
women doing endless amount of domestic chores for the family
“our wedding, lying near the television”
happiness from wedding has long gone, and the couple are more likely to focus on the TV instead. use of enjambment illustrates how the couple are growing apart.
“more unripe acorns”
symbolises the future generations
“their beauty has thickened”
women’s beauty have faded now that they’re mothers and need to prioritise their children rather than themselves.
“something is pushing them to the side of their own lives”
metaphor, suggests the children have taken over their lives
they have to put their children first, dedicated to this way of life
