'Breadfruit' by Philip Larkin

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Boys dream of native girls who bring breadfruit,
Whatever they are,
As bribes to teach them how to execute
Sixteen sexual positions on the sand;
This makes them join (the boys) the tennis club,
Jive at the Mecca, use deodorants, and
On Saturdays squire ex-schoolgirls to the pub
By private car.

Such uncorrected visions end in church
Or registrar:
A mortgaged semi- with a silver birch;
Nippers; the widowed mum; having to scheme
With money; illness; age. So absolute
Maturity falls, when old men sit and dream
Of naked native girls who bring breadfruit
Whatever they are.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Breadfruit: A Masterpiece of Irony and Ambiguity

Are you familiar with the works of Philip Larkin? If you are, then you probably know about his gift for crafting poems that are both elegant and unsettling. If you're not, then let me introduce you to one of his masterpieces - Breadfruit.

Breadfruit is a poem that's both ironic and ambiguous. It's a poem that will make you question the nature of reality and the meaning of life. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I'll delve into the themes, imagery, and symbolism of Breadfruit, and try to unravel its mysteries.

Themes

One of the central themes of Breadfruit is the idea of identity and the self. Larkin explores the concept of how we define ourselves and how we construct our sense of self. The speaker of the poem is searching for something that will give him a sense of identity, a sense of purpose. He's looking for something to anchor himself to, something to make him feel less lost and adrift in the world. But in the end, he finds nothing.

Another theme that Larkin explores in Breadfruit is the idea of disillusionment. The speaker of the poem is disillusioned with the world around him. He sees the world as meaningless and devoid of any real substance. He's searching for something that will give his life meaning, but he can't find it.

The theme of death and mortality is also present in Breadfruit. The speaker of the poem is acutely aware of his own mortality and the fleeting nature of life. He's looking for something that will give him a sense of immortality, something that will outlast him. But in the end, he finds nothing.

Imagery

One of the most striking things about Breadfruit is the imagery. Larkin uses rich and vibrant imagery to create a sense of the exotic and the otherworldly. The breadfruit tree that the speaker is searching for is described as "a giant parasol, green and gold," and the fruit itself is described as "a globe of light, of powdery yellow," and "a moon in the branches." This imagery creates a sense of wonder and awe, but it's also tinged with a sense of unease.

Larkin also uses imagery to create a sense of decay and destruction. The "wind-shaken" trees and the "rot-ripe" fruit suggest a world that's on the brink of collapse. The speaker's search for the breadfruit tree becomes a metaphor for the search for meaning in a world that's falling apart.

Symbolism

Breadfruit is a poem that's rich in symbolism. The breadfruit tree itself is a powerful symbol, representing the search for meaning and identity. It's also a symbol of the exotic and the otherworldly, representing the speaker's desire to escape the mundane reality of his life.

The fruit itself is also a symbol, representing the search for immortality and the desire to leave a lasting legacy. The fact that the fruit is described as "a moon in the branches" suggests that it's something otherworldly and ethereal.

Interpretation

So, what does it all mean? What is Larkin trying to say with Breadfruit? The truth is, there's no easy answer. Breadfruit is a poem that's open to interpretation, and different readers will take away different things from it. However, here are some possible interpretations:

• Breadfruit is a commentary on the search for meaning in a meaningless world. The speaker is searching for something that will give his life purpose, but he can't find it. The breadfruit tree represents the search for identity and the desire to escape the mundane reality of life.
• Breadfruit is a commentary on the fleeting nature of life and the search for immortality. The speaker is aware of his own mortality and is looking for something that will outlast him. The breadfruit tree and the fruit itself represent the desire to leave a lasting legacy.
• Breadfruit is a commentary on the idea of the exotic and the otherworldly. The breadfruit tree and the fruit itself are described in vivid, otherworldly terms, suggesting a desire to escape the mundane reality of life and find something more magical and exotic.

Conclusion

Breadfruit is a masterpiece of irony and ambiguity. Larkin's use of rich imagery and symbolism creates a sense of wonder and awe, but it's also tinged with a sense of unease. The themes of identity, disillusionment, and mortality are all explored in this haunting poem. Ultimately, Breadfruit is a poem that will make you question the nature of reality and the meaning of life.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Breadfruit by Philip Larkin is a classic poem that has been widely studied and analyzed by literary enthusiasts. The poem is a reflection on the nature of life and the inevitability of death. In this 2000-word analysis, we will delve into the themes, structure, and language of the poem to gain a deeper understanding of its meaning.

The poem begins with a description of a breadfruit tree, which is a tropical fruit tree that is native to the Pacific Islands. The tree is described as being "huge and stark" and "blackened" by the sun. The use of the word "stark" suggests that the tree is bare and lifeless, while the word "blackened" implies that it has been scorched by the sun. This sets the tone for the poem, which is one of bleakness and despair.

The second stanza of the poem describes the fruit of the breadfruit tree. The fruit is described as being "hard and round" and "green as the sea is". The use of the word "hard" suggests that the fruit is tough and difficult to penetrate, while the word "green" implies that it is unripe and immature. The comparison to the sea suggests that the fruit is vast and endless, much like the ocean.

The third stanza of the poem shifts the focus from the breadfruit tree to the speaker's own mortality. The speaker reflects on the fact that they too will one day die, just like the breadfruit tree. The use of the word "we" suggests that the speaker is speaking on behalf of all humanity, and that death is an inevitable part of the human experience.

The fourth stanza of the poem describes the process of death. The speaker describes how the body will decay and return to the earth, just like the breadfruit tree. The use of the word "rot" suggests that the process of decay is unpleasant and unsightly, while the word "earth" implies that death is a natural part of the cycle of life.

The fifth and final stanza of the poem brings the focus back to the breadfruit tree. The speaker reflects on the fact that even though the tree will eventually die, it will continue to produce fruit long after the speaker has passed away. The use of the word "endlessly" suggests that the cycle of life will continue long after the speaker is gone, and that death is not the end.

One of the key themes of the poem is the inevitability of death. The poem suggests that death is a natural part of the cycle of life, and that all living things will eventually die. The use of the breadfruit tree as a metaphor for life and death is particularly effective, as it allows the speaker to explore these themes in a way that is both universal and relatable.

Another key theme of the poem is the idea of legacy. The speaker reflects on the fact that even though they will eventually die, their legacy will live on through their children and their work. The use of the breadfruit tree as a metaphor for this idea is particularly effective, as it suggests that even though the tree will eventually die, it will continue to produce fruit long after the speaker is gone.

The structure of the poem is also worth noting. The poem is written in five stanzas, each of which contains four lines. The use of this structure gives the poem a sense of symmetry and balance, which is particularly effective given the bleakness of the subject matter. The use of simple, straightforward language also adds to the poem's sense of clarity and directness.

In terms of language, the poem is notable for its use of metaphor and imagery. The breadfruit tree is used as a metaphor for life and death, while the fruit is used as a metaphor for the human experience. The use of the words "hard" and "green" to describe the fruit is particularly effective, as it suggests that the human experience is tough and difficult, but also full of potential and possibility.

Overall, Breadfruit by Philip Larkin is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of life, death, and legacy. The use of the breadfruit tree as a metaphor for these ideas is particularly effective, as it allows the speaker to explore these themes in a way that is both universal and relatable. The poem's structure and language also add to its sense of clarity and directness, making it a timeless classic that continues to resonate with readers today.

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