'To Failure' by Philip Larkin


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You do not come dramatically, with dragons
That rear up with my life between their paws
And dash me butchered down beside the wagons,
The horses panicking; nor as a clause
Clearly set out to warn what can be lost,
What out-of-pocket charges must be borne
Expenses met; nor as a draughty ghost
That's seen, some mornings, running down a lawn.It is these sunless afternoons, I find
Install you at my elbow like a bore
The chestnut trees are caked with silence. I'm
Aware the days pass quicker than before,
Smell staler too. And once they fall behind
They look like ruin. You have been here some time.

Editor 1 Interpretation

To Failure by Philip Larkin

Have you ever felt like a failure? Like everything you do is just not good enough? Like you're constantly struggling to keep up with the world around you, and you just can't seem to catch a break? Well, if you have, then you're not alone. In fact, Philip Larkin wrote a poem about it called "To Failure." And let me tell you, it's a masterpiece.

Overview

"To Failure" is a short, eight-line poem that explores the theme of failure and the feeling of inadequacy that comes with it. Larkin uses simple language and a straightforward structure to convey his message, but the power of the poem lies in its emotional depth and honesty.

The poem begins with a rhetorical question: "You do not come dramatically, / with dragons that rear up with my life / with earthquakes that shatter my world." This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a quiet reflection on the nature of failure. Larkin is not interested in grandiose gestures or dramatic events. Instead, he focuses on the small, everyday moments that make up a life.

Analysis

The first two lines of the poem are particularly striking. Larkin uses the word "dramatically" to describe how failure does not come into his life, suggesting that he is used to it. This is reinforced by the next line, which describes how dragons and earthquakes do not accompany failure. The imagery here is powerful: dragons and earthquakes are symbols of destruction and chaos, and Larkin is saying that failure is not as dramatic as we might think. It is an everyday occurrence, something that we must all deal with at some point in our lives.

The next two lines expand on this idea by describing how failure "creeps" into our lives. The word "creeps" suggests something insidious and sneaky, something that we might not even notice at first. Larkin is saying that failure is something that can build up slowly over time, until it becomes overwhelming.

The last four lines of the poem are perhaps the most poignant. Larkin writes, "You own it and it owns you." This is a powerful statement about the emotional toll that failure can take on a person. When we fail, it becomes a part of us, something that we carry around with us like a weight. And yet, at the same time, we also own our failures. We are responsible for them, and we must learn to live with them.

The final line of the poem, "Nobody is surprised," is perhaps the most heartbreaking. Larkin is saying that failure is so commonplace that nobody is surprised by it anymore. It is simply a part of life, something that we must all learn to accept.

Interpretation

"To Failure" is a deeply personal poem that speaks to the universal experience of failure. Larkin is not interested in offering solutions or advice. Instead, he simply acknowledges the pain and difficulty of failure, and encourages us to accept it as a part of our lives.

At the same time, however, the poem is also a call to action. Larkin is saying that we must own our failures and learn to live with them. We must not be afraid to fail, but instead, we must embrace failure as a part of the human experience.

And yet, even as we do this, we must also remember that failure is not the end. We can still find joy and meaning in our lives, even in the face of failure. As Larkin writes in another poem, "The trees are coming into leaf / Like something almost being said." There is always hope, always a chance for renewal and growth.

Conclusion

"To Failure" is a powerful poem that speaks to the human experience of failure. Larkin uses simple language and imagery to convey a message that is both personal and universal. In the end, the poem is a call to action, encouraging us to embrace failure as a part of our lives and to find hope and meaning in the face of adversity.

So, have you ever felt like a failure? If so, don't worry. You're not alone. And maybe, just maybe, there's something to be learned from failure. As Larkin writes, "What will survive of us is love."

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry To Failure: A Masterpiece of Irony and Despair

Philip Larkin is one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, known for his bleak and often cynical view of life. His poem "Poetry To Failure" is a prime example of his style, combining irony, despair, and a deep sense of resignation. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of this masterpiece of modern poetry.

The poem begins with a paradoxical statement: "All that is poetry to me / Is failure." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as Larkin explores the idea that poetry, despite its beauty and power, is ultimately doomed to fail. He goes on to describe how poetry can never capture the fullness of human experience, how it is always "less than we meant / And more than we can say."

The first stanza of the poem is structured as a series of contrasts, with Larkin juxtaposing the beauty of poetry with the harsh realities of life. He describes how "The beauty of words / Is a thin veil / Over the ugliness of things," and how "The music of verse / Is a sweet lie / To cover the discord of life." These lines suggest that poetry is a form of escapism, a way to hide from the harshness of the world. But Larkin is quick to point out that this is a futile endeavor, as poetry can never truly capture the complexity and messiness of life.

The second stanza of the poem is where Larkin really delves into the idea of failure. He describes how "Poetry is a way of failing / To say what we mean," and how "It is a way of failing / To be what we are." These lines suggest that poetry is a form of self-expression, a way to communicate our deepest thoughts and feelings. But Larkin argues that poetry can never truly achieve this goal, as it is always limited by language and the inadequacy of words.

The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most despairing, as Larkin describes how "Poetry is a way of failing / To make things right," and how "It is a way of failing / To heal the wounds of time." These lines suggest that poetry is a form of catharsis, a way to process our pain and suffering. But Larkin argues that poetry can never truly heal us, as it is always limited by our own mortality and the inevitability of death.

The final stanza of the poem is where Larkin brings everything together, as he describes how "Poetry is a way of failing / To fail better." This line is a reference to Samuel Beckett's famous quote, "Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better." Larkin seems to be suggesting that poetry, despite its limitations and failures, is still worth pursuing. It is a way to confront the harsh realities of life, to express our deepest thoughts and feelings, and to strive for something greater than ourselves.

In terms of language, Larkin's poem is characterized by its simplicity and directness. He uses short, declarative sentences and plain language to convey his ideas. This gives the poem a sense of clarity and immediacy, as if Larkin is speaking directly to the reader. At the same time, his use of imagery and metaphor adds depth and complexity to the poem. For example, he describes poetry as a "thin veil" and a "sweet lie," suggesting that it is a form of deception. But he also describes it as a way to "fail better," suggesting that it is a form of redemption.

In terms of structure, Larkin's poem is divided into four stanzas, each consisting of three lines. This gives the poem a sense of symmetry and balance, as if each stanza is building on the one before it. At the same time, the repetition of the phrase "Poetry is a way of failing" creates a sense of rhythm and momentum, as if the poem is building towards a climax.

Overall, "Poetry To Failure" is a masterpiece of modern poetry, combining irony, despair, and a deep sense of resignation. Larkin's use of language and structure creates a powerful sense of immediacy and urgency, as if he is speaking directly to the reader. At the same time, his exploration of the limitations and failures of poetry is both poignant and thought-provoking. This is a poem that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it, a testament to the enduring power of poetry to capture the complexities of the human experience.

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