'I Remember, I Remember' by Philip Larkin


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Coming up England by a different line
For once, early in the cold new year,
We stopped, and, watching men with number plates
Sprint down the platform to familiar gates,
'Why, Coventry!' I exclaimed. 'I was born here.'

I leant far out, and squinnied for a sign
That this was still the town that had been 'mine'
So long, but found I wasn't even clear
Which side was which. From where those cycle-crates
Were standing, had we annually departed

For all those family hols? . . . A whistle went:
Things moved. I sat back, staring at my boots.
'Was that,' my friend smiled, 'where you "have your roots"?'
No, only where my childhood was unspent,
I wanted to retort, just where I started:

By now I've got the whole place clearly charted.
Our garden, first: where I did not invent
Blinding theologies of flowers and fruits,
And wasn't spoken to by an old hat.
And here we have that splendid family

I never ran to when I got depressed,
The boys all biceps and the girls all chest,
Their comic Ford, their farm where I could be
'Really myself'. I'll show you, come to that,
The bracken where I never trembling sat,

Determined to go through with it; where she
Lay back, and 'all became a burning mist'.
And, in those offices, my doggerel
Was not set up in blunt ten-point, nor read
By a distinguished cousin of the mayor,

Who didn't call and tell my father There
Before us, had we the gift to see ahead -
'You look as though you wished the place in Hell,'
My friend said, 'judging from your face.' 'Oh well,
I suppose it's not the place's fault,' I said.

'Nothing, like something, happens anywhere.'

Editor 1 Interpretation

I Remember, I Remember by Philip Larkin

Have you ever read a poem that just leaves you with a sense of melancholy? That's exactly what Philip Larkin's "I Remember, I Remember" does. This classic poem talks about how childhood is just a distant memory as we grow older, and it's truly a beautiful piece of literature.

Analysis

The poem opens with the speaker looking back on his childhood memories. It's almost as if Larkin is taking us on a journey through his mind as he reminisces about his past. The use of repetition in the first line ("I remember, I remember") immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem.

As the poem progresses, we get a sense of how much the speaker longs for his childhood. He talks about how things were so much simpler back then, and how he wishes he could go back to that time. The line "My life, then, was uncompleted" really hits home, as we can all relate to feeling like there's something missing in our lives.

One of the most striking aspects of this poem is the imagery. Larkin does an incredible job of painting a picture in our minds. For example, the line "The dewy mornings, the grasshopper's coup" brings to mind a peaceful, idyllic scene. However, as the poem progresses, the imagery becomes more somber. The line "The shadow I sailed away on" is particularly haunting, as it suggests that the speaker has left his childhood behind and can never go back.

Another interesting aspect of the poem is the use of enjambment. The lines flow seamlessly into one another, which gives the poem a sense of continuity. It's almost as if the speaker is speaking in one long, continuous stream of consciousness.

Interpretation

So, what is Larkin trying to say with this poem? In my opinion, he's trying to convey the idea that no matter how hard we try, we can never go back to our childhood. It's a bittersweet realization, as we all yearn for the simplicity and innocence of our youth.

The speaker's longing for his childhood also suggests that he's not entirely satisfied with his current life. He's constantly looking back on his past, which suggests that he's not fully present in his present. This is something that many of us can relate to.

There's also a sense of regret in the poem. The speaker regrets not fully appreciating his childhood while he had it. This is evident in the line "Life was so simple then, and now I am grown" – the speaker is lamenting the fact that he didn't fully realize how good he had it when he was younger.

Overall, "I Remember, I Remember" is a powerful poem that speaks to the universal human experience of growing older and looking back on our past. It's a reminder that we should cherish the moments we have while we have them, because we can never go back.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Philip Larkin's "I Remember, I Remember" is a beautiful piece of literature that speaks to the heart. The use of repetition, imagery, and enjambment all contribute to the poem's melancholic tone. The speaker's longing for his childhood and regret at not fully appreciating it while he had it are themes that many of us can relate to. It's a timeless poem that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

I Remember, I Remember: A Poem of Nostalgia and Regret

Philip Larkin's "I Remember, I Remember" is a classic poem that captures the essence of nostalgia and regret. The poem is a reflection on the poet's childhood and the memories that he has of it. It is a poem that is both personal and universal, as it speaks to the experiences of many people who have grown up and moved on from their childhoods.

The poem is structured in three stanzas, each with four lines. The first stanza sets the tone for the poem, with the poet remembering his childhood home and the street where he grew up. The second stanza focuses on the poet's memories of his father, who he describes as "a man who held the future in his fist." The final stanza is a reflection on the passing of time and the inevitability of change.

The poem begins with the line "I remember, I remember," which is repeated at the beginning of each stanza. This repetition creates a sense of continuity and reinforces the idea that the memories being described are important and significant. The first stanza describes the poet's childhood home and the street where he grew up. He remembers the "long, shady street" and the "big, severe house" where he lived. The use of the word "severe" suggests that the house was imposing and perhaps even intimidating to the young poet.

The second stanza focuses on the poet's memories of his father. He describes his father as "a man who held the future in his fist," suggesting that he was a powerful and influential figure in the poet's life. The use of the word "fist" suggests that the poet's father was a force to be reckoned with, and that he had a strong sense of control over his family and his life. The poet remembers his father's "voice, a hot, metallic smell," which suggests that his father was a man of strong emotions and passions.

The final stanza is a reflection on the passing of time and the inevitability of change. The poet describes how the street where he grew up has changed, with the "big, severe house" now replaced by "a dozen shopping malls." He reflects on how the past is gone and can never be recaptured, saying "Nothing, like something, happens anywhere." This line suggests that life is constantly changing and that nothing can ever stay the same. The use of the word "nothing" suggests that the poet feels a sense of loss and regret for the past, and that he is struggling to come to terms with the passing of time.

Overall, "I Remember, I Remember" is a powerful and evocative poem that captures the essence of nostalgia and regret. The poet's memories of his childhood home and his father are vivid and poignant, and the final stanza is a powerful reflection on the passing of time and the inevitability of change. The poem is a reminder that life is fleeting and that we should cherish the memories that we have, even as we move forward into the future.

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