'Send No Money' by Philip Larkin


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Standing under the fobbed
Impendent belly of Time
Tell me the truth, I said,
Teach me the way things go.
All the other lads there
Were itching to have a bash,
But I thought wanting unfair:
It and finding out clash.

So he patted my head, booming Boy,
There's no green in your eye:
Sit here and watch the hail
Of occurence clobber life out
To a shape no one sees -
Dare you look at that straight?
Oh thank you
, I said, Oh yes please,
And sat down to wait.

Half life is over now,
And I meet full face on dark mornings
The bestial visor, bent in
By the blows of what happened to happen.
What does it prove? Sod all.
In this way I spent youth,
Tracing the trite untransferable
Truss-advertisement, truth.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Send No Money by Philip Larkin

When it comes to poetry, Philip Larkin's name is one that is synonymous with excellence. He's widely regarded as one of the greatest poets of the 20th century, and his works continue to captivate readers even today. One of his most iconic poems is "Send No Money," a piece that has been analyzed and discussed by countless scholars over the years. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we'll take a closer look at this poem and explore its themes, structure, and meaning.

Overview of Send No Money

"Send No Money" is a poem that was written by Larkin in the 1950s. It's a relatively short piece, consisting of just six stanzas. However, despite its brevity, the poem manages to pack quite a punch in terms of its emotional impact and the ideas it conveys.

The poem is a reflection on the nature of relationships and the ways in which they can be complicated and fraught with difficulty. At its core, "Send No Money" is a poem about the pain of separation and the feeling of loss that comes with it. However, it also touches on themes of power and control, and the role that these factors play in relationships.

Analysis of the Poem

To fully appreciate the nuances of "Send No Money," it's important to take a closer look at its structure and language. Let's start with the poem's form.

Form

"Send No Money" is written in free verse, which means that it doesn't conform to any particular rhyme scheme or meter. However, despite the lack of a strict structure, the poem has a very deliberate rhythm and cadence. The lines are short and staccato, with a sense of urgency and immediacy that's reminiscent of someone speaking in short bursts.

The lack of a rhyme scheme also adds to the poem's sense of unease and uncertainty. Without a predictable pattern to follow, the reader is left feeling somewhat off-balance and unsure of what's coming next.

Language

As with many of Larkin's works, the language of "Send No Money" is deceptively simple. The words are plain and unadorned, but they carry a great deal of emotional weight. The poem is full of stark imagery and vivid metaphors that convey a sense of sadness and loss.

For example, in the second stanza, Larkin writes:

"Keep all you have and be no one's fool, Don't ask for the moon; we have the stars"

This is a powerful metaphor that suggests that even though the speaker is separated from their loved one, they still have something to hold onto. The stars represent hope and the possibility of a brighter future, even though the moon (which represents the unattainable) is out of reach.

Themes

As mentioned earlier, "Send No Money" deals with a number of different themes, including loss, power, and control. One of the most prevalent themes, however, is the idea of separation and its emotional impact.

Throughout the poem, the speaker reflects on the pain of being separated from their loved one. They describe the feelings of emptiness and loneliness that come with this separation, as well as the desire to be reunited. This theme is perhaps best captured in the final stanza of the poem, where the speaker writes:

"Only yourselves to lose, Only the rushing cold of the sea, Ere the weighty earth would start to roll, Only the sad, empty oblivion of the sea."

Here, the speaker is acknowledging that the pain of separation is something that they'll have to endure alone. They're resigned to the fact that they have no control over the situation and that they can only wait and hope for the best.

Interpretation

So, what does all of this mean? What is Larkin trying to convey with "Send No Money"?

At its core, the poem is a meditation on the complexities of human relationships. It's a recognition that even the strongest and most loving relationships can be fraught with difficulty and pain. However, despite this, there's still a sense of hope and optimism that runs throughout the poem.

The metaphor of the stars, for example, suggests that even though the speaker is separated from their loved one, there's still something to hold onto. It's a recognition that even though things may be difficult now, there's still the possibility of a brighter future.

The poem also touches on themes of power and control. The line "keep all you have and be no one's fool" suggests that the speaker is aware of the power dynamic in their relationship. They know that they can't control the situation or force their loved one to come back to them. However, despite this, there's still a sense of agency and control that comes from being able to hold onto their own emotions and feelings.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Send No Money" is a powerful and moving poem that explores the complexities of human relationships. Through its use of vivid imagery and stark language, it conveys a sense of loss and pain that is both universal and deeply personal.

At the same time, however, there's a sense of hope and resilience that runs throughout the poem. Despite the difficulties that the speaker is facing, there's still a sense that things will get better. It's a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there's still something to hold onto and a reason to keep going.

Overall, "Send No Money" is a masterpiece of modern poetry that continues to resonate with readers today. Its themes and ideas are timeless, and its emotional impact is as powerful now as it was when it was first written.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Send No Money: A Masterpiece of Modern Poetry

Philip Larkin is one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, known for his unique style and ability to capture the essence of modern life. His poem "Send No Money" is a masterpiece of modern poetry, exploring themes of love, loss, and the passage of time. In this analysis, we will delve into the meaning and significance of this classic poem, and explore the techniques that Larkin uses to create such a powerful and evocative work.

The poem begins with a simple and direct statement: "They fuck you up, your mum and dad." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a meditation on the ways in which our parents shape us and influence our lives. Larkin is not afraid to confront the darker aspects of family life, and he does so with a brutal honesty that is both refreshing and unsettling.

As the poem progresses, Larkin explores the idea that our parents are not just responsible for our upbringing, but also for our emotional and psychological well-being. He writes, "They may not mean to, but they do / They fill you with the faults they had / And add some extra, just for you." This idea of inherited flaws and imperfections is a recurring theme in Larkin's work, and it is one that resonates deeply with many readers.

One of the most striking aspects of "Send No Money" is the way in which Larkin uses language to convey complex emotions and ideas. His use of repetition, for example, is particularly effective in this poem. The phrase "send no money" is repeated throughout the poem, creating a sense of urgency and desperation. This repetition also serves to underscore the idea that money cannot solve the problems that Larkin is exploring in the poem.

Another technique that Larkin employs in "Send No Money" is the use of imagery. He writes, "They may not mean to, but they do / They fill you with the faults they had / And add some extra, just for you." This image of being filled with the faults of one's parents is a powerful one, and it speaks to the idea that we are all shaped by our upbringing in ways that we may not even be aware of.

Larkin also uses metaphor to great effect in this poem. He writes, "Man hands on misery to man / It deepens like a coastal shelf." This metaphor of misery as a coastal shelf is a particularly effective one, as it suggests that our emotional pain is something that accumulates over time, like sediment on the ocean floor. This image is both haunting and beautiful, and it speaks to the universal nature of human suffering.

One of the most poignant moments in "Send No Money" comes towards the end of the poem, when Larkin writes, "Love, we must part now: do not let it be / Calamitous and bitter." This line is a reminder that even in the face of great pain and loss, there is still hope for a better future. Larkin is not a poet who shies away from the darker aspects of life, but he also recognizes the importance of hope and resilience in the face of adversity.

In conclusion, "Send No Money" is a masterpiece of modern poetry, exploring themes of love, loss, and the passage of time with a brutal honesty and a deep sense of compassion. Larkin's use of language, imagery, and metaphor is masterful, and his ability to capture the complexities of human emotion is unparalleled. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry to move and inspire us, and it is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is still hope for a better future.

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