WANTS Flashcards
(9 cards)
beyond all this, the wish to be alone:
opening line emph the speaker’s desire for freedom through the symbol of isolation
However the sky grows dark with invitation cards
However we follow the printed directions of sex
anidiplosis empha the repeated restrictions of social expectations - unable to escape and overwhelming for the speaker- seems aimless and monotonous
hyperbolic metaphors symbolises how things we find joy and pleasure in become regimented and controlled - lack emotions + conformity
However the family is photographed under the flag-staff
mocks the idea of conforming for the validation gained from national identity and patriotism - actually loses identity and individuality
beyond this, the wish to be alone ( rep)
repeated at end of stanza and caesura sets the speaker apart from the rest of society - continued desire but is incapable of achieving when conforming
why does the speaker use enjambment when listing social expectations
overwhelming demands and expectations of everyday life the speaker feels burdened and pressured by - lack of escape and neverending
beneath it all the desire for oblivion runs
speaker suggests the only freedom achievable is through death
despite the artful tensions of the calendar/ the life insurance, the tabled fertility rites
listing emph how speaker is surrounded by restrictions and how his life is chartered and controlled from birth to death
the descriptions of the calendar mocks how society and conformity places manmade restrictions on times and we all passively accept - not actually real and mocks importance of them
the costly aversion of the eyes away from death
social conformity can leads to passivity and ignorance to death - cannot fully embrace freedom and their own desires are sacrificed
social expectations as a distraction
biographical context wants
larkins preoccupation with death at 21
