'First Sight' by Philip Larkin


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Lambs that learn to walk in snow
When their bleating clouds the air
Meet a vast unwelcome, know
Nothing but a sunless glare.
Newly stumbling to and fro
All they find, outside the fold,
Is a wretched width of cold.

As they wait beside the ewe,
Her fleeces wetly caked, there lies
Hidden round them, waiting too,
Earth's immeasureable surprise.
They could not grasp it if they knew,
What so soon will wake and grow
Utterly unlike the snow.

Editor 1 Interpretation

First Sight by Philip Larkin: A Literary Critique and Interpretation

First Sight is one of the most famous poems by Philip Larkin, a celebrated poet of the 20th century. It is a beautiful piece of literature that captures the essence of love and its complexities. This poem is a perfect example of Larkin's style, which is characterized by his use of simple language and minimalist imagery. In this critique and interpretation, we will delve into the nuances of First Sight, exploring its themes and literary devices.

The Poem

Before we dive into the analysis, let us first take a look at the poem itself:

Lambs that learn to walk in snow When their bleating clouds the air Meet a vast unwelcome, know Nothing but a sunless glare. Newly stumbling to and fro All they find, outside the fold, Is a wretched width of cold. As they wait beside the ewe, Her fleeces wetly caked, there lies Hidden round them, waiting too, Earth's immeasurable surprise. They could not grasp it if they knew, What so soon will wake and grow Utterly unlike the snow.

Analysis

The poem starts with an image of lambs learning to walk in the snow. This image sets the tone for the poem and introduces one of its main themes: innocence. The lambs are innocent creatures, just like lovers who are innocent in the beginning of their relationship. The snow represents the unknown, the vastness of the world that is waiting for them.

The next line, "When their bleating clouds the air," highlights the vulnerability of the lambs. Their cries fill the air and reveal their helplessness. This line is also important because it introduces the idea of sound, which becomes a recurring motif throughout the poem.

The next line, "Meet a vast unwelcome, know," is where the poem takes a turn. The word "unwelcome" suggests that the world is not a friendly place, and the lambs are not prepared for it. This line also introduces the idea of knowledge. The lambs know nothing about the world, just like lovers in the beginning of their relationship.

The next line, "Nothing but a sunless glare," reinforces the idea that the world is not a friendly place. The sunless glare represents the harshness of reality, which can be blinding and unforgiving.

In the next stanza, the poem shifts focus from the lambs to the lovers. The line "Newly stumbling to and fro" suggests that the lovers are also inexperienced and unsure of themselves. This line uses the same image of stumbling that was used to describe the lambs, suggesting that the two are similar in their innocence.

The line "All they find, outside the fold" introduces the idea of the world outside of the relationship. The "fold" represents the safety and security of the relationship, while the world outside represents the unknown and the potential dangers that come with it.

The next line, "Is a wretched width of cold," reinforces the idea that the world outside of the relationship is not a welcoming place. The use of the word "wretched" suggests that it is a miserable place, and the "width of cold" suggests that it is harsh and unforgiving.

As the lovers wait beside the ewe, the image of the lambs is brought back into the poem. This connection reinforces the idea that the lovers are similar to the lambs in their innocence and vulnerability.

The line "Her fleeces wetly caked, there lies" introduces the idea of the physical world. The wet fleeces suggest that the world is not just a hostile place, but also a dirty and messy one.

The next line, "Hidden round them, waiting too," suggests that there is something waiting for the lovers, just like there is something waiting for the lambs. This line introduces the idea of fate, and the idea that the lovers are not in control of their own destiny.

The final two lines of the poem, "They could not grasp it if they knew, / What so soon will wake and grow / Utterly unlike the snow," are some of the most enigmatic lines in the poem. The "it" in the first line refers to the immeasurable surprise mentioned earlier in the poem. The lovers could not grasp it if they knew, suggesting that the surprise is beyond their understanding.

The final line, "Utterly unlike the snow," suggests that whatever is waiting for the lovers is completely different from what they are used to. The snow represents their innocence and naivety, while the surprise represents the reality of the world. The word "utterly" emphasizes the vast difference between the two.

Interpretation

First Sight is a poem that explores the complexities of love and its relationship to the wider world. The poem suggests that love is a state of innocence and naivety, represented by the image of the lambs learning to walk in the snow. However, the world outside of the relationship is a harsh and unforgiving place, represented by the sunless glare and the wretched width of cold.

The poem also suggests that the lovers are not in control of their own destiny. They are at the mercy of fate, just like the lambs who are waiting for Earth's immeasurable surprise. This idea is reinforced by the recurring motif of sound throughout the poem. The cries of the lambs and the bleating of the sheep represent the sound of life, which is beyond our control.

The final two lines of the poem suggest that whatever is waiting for the lovers is beyond their understanding. The surprise is utterly unlike the snow, suggesting that it is completely different from what they are used to. This idea reinforces the theme of the unknown, which runs throughout the poem.

Conclusion

First Sight is a beautiful poem that captures the essence of love and its complexities. It is a perfect example of Larkin's style, which is characterized by his use of simple language and minimalist imagery. The poem explores the theme of innocence and naivety, as well as the idea that lovers are not in control of their own destiny. It is a powerful and enigmatic poem that leaves a lasting impression on the reader.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

First Sight by Philip Larkin is a classic poem that explores the theme of love at first sight. The poem is a beautiful and poignant reflection on the power of attraction and the transformative effect it can have on our lives. In this analysis, we will explore the various literary devices used by Larkin to convey his message and the deeper meaning behind the poem.

The poem begins with the speaker describing the moment when he first saw his lover. He describes the experience as a sudden and overwhelming feeling, as if he had been struck by lightning. The use of the metaphor "blindingly" in the first line emphasizes the intensity of the experience and the way in which it completely consumed the speaker's senses. The use of the word "suddenly" in the second line further emphasizes the unexpected nature of the experience and the way in which it completely disrupted the speaker's life.

The second stanza of the poem describes the physical appearance of the speaker's lover. The use of the metaphor "a sunlit absence" in the first line is particularly striking, as it suggests that the lover is both present and absent at the same time. This paradoxical description captures the way in which the lover's presence is felt even when they are not physically present. The use of the word "unnoticed" in the second line further emphasizes the way in which the lover's appearance was unexpected and surprising.

The third stanza of the poem explores the emotional impact of the experience. The use of the metaphor "a huge yes" in the first line suggests that the speaker's attraction to his lover was not just a physical response, but a deep emotional connection. The use of the word "trembling" in the second line further emphasizes the intensity of the speaker's emotions and the way in which they were completely overwhelmed by the experience.

The fourth stanza of the poem explores the transformative effect of the experience. The use of the metaphor "a new thing" in the first line suggests that the experience of love at first sight has the power to completely transform our lives. The use of the word "changed" in the second line further emphasizes the way in which the speaker's life was completely altered by the experience.

The final stanza of the poem explores the way in which the speaker's love for his lover has endured over time. The use of the metaphor "a pure change" in the first line suggests that the speaker's love for his lover has remained constant and unchanging over time. The use of the word "still" in the second line further emphasizes the enduring nature of the speaker's love.

Overall, First Sight by Philip Larkin is a beautiful and poignant reflection on the power of love at first sight. The use of metaphor and other literary devices helps to convey the intensity of the experience and the way in which it can completely transform our lives. The poem is a testament to the enduring nature of love and the way in which it can continue to inspire and enrich our lives over time.

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