'Book Ends' by Tony Harrison
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I
Baked the day she suddenly dropped dead
we chew it slowly that last apple pie.
Shocked into sleeplessness you're scared of bed.
We never could talk much, and now don't try.
You're like book ends, the pair of you, she'd say,
Hog that grate, say nothing, sit, sleep, stare…
The 'scholar' me, you, worn out on poor pay,
only our silence made us seem a pair.
Not as good for staring in, blue gas,
too regular each bud, each yellow spike.
At night you need my company to pass
and she not here to tell us we're alike!
You're life's all shattered into smithereens.
Back in our silences and sullen looks,
for all the Scotch we drink, what's still between 's
not the thirty or so years, but books, books, books.
II
The stone's too full. The wording must be terse.
There's scarcely room to carve the FLORENCE on it--
Come on, it's not as if we're wanting verse.
It's not as if we're wanting a whole sonnet!
After tumblers of neat Johnny Walker
(I think that both of us we're on our third)
you said you'd always been a clumsy talker
and couldn't find another, shorter word
for 'beloved' or for 'wife' in the inscription,
but not too clumsy that you can't still cut:
You're supposed to be the bright boy at description
and you can't tell them what the fuck to put!
I've got to find the right words on my own.
I've got the envelope that he'd been scrawling,
mis-spelt, mawkish, stylistically appalling
but I can't squeeze more love into their stone.
Submitted by Andrew Mayers
Editor 1 Interpretation
Book Ends: A Critical Analysis
Introduction:
"Book Ends" is a poem that has been often studied, analyzed, and interpreted by literary critics and enthusiasts alike since it was written by Tony Harrison. It is a classic poem that has stood the test of time and has been used in many contexts, such as in educational settings, in discussions about the nature of memory, and in explorations of the human experience.
The poem is composed of two stanzas, each containing four lines. The poem's title, "Book Ends," refers to the first and last lines of each stanza, which are identical. The poem is essentially a reflection on the nature of time and the passage of time.
The Poem:
Here is the complete text of the poem:
Between the end of the "Chatterley" ban And the Beatles' first LP My parents had their p***s cut off To please their new Etonian friends.
Between the end of the "Chatterley" ban And the Beatles' first LP My flesh was theirs, my first eleven years Their next eight severed to suite school.
Analysis:
Form and Structure:
As mentioned, "Book Ends" is composed of two identical stanzas, each containing four lines. The poem's form and structure is simple, yet effective. The repetition of the first and last lines of each stanza creates a sense of symmetry and balance.
The poem's length is also significant: it is a short poem that is concise and to-the-point. This is fitting, given the poem's theme of time and the passage of time.
Theme:
The theme of time is central to the poem. The poem reflects on the passage of time and how it affects individuals and families. The first stanza focuses on the time period between the end of the "Chatterley" ban (a reference to the famous obscenity trial of 1960) and the release of the Beatles' first LP in 1963. This period marked the beginning of a new era in British culture, and the poem suggests that it was a time of change and upheaval.
The second stanza focuses on the speaker's own experience of time. The reference to his parents having their "p***s cut off" suggests that the speaker's childhood was marked by a sense of loss and separation. The phrase "my flesh was theirs" suggests that the speaker's identity was shaped by his parents' decisions, and the phrase "their next eight severed to suit school" suggests that the speaker's education was also dictated by outside forces.
Imagery:
The imagery in "Book Ends" is simple yet powerful. The reference to the end of the "Chatterley" ban and the Beatles' first LP creates a vivid sense of time and place. The image of the parents having their "p***s cut off" is shocking and disturbing, but it also serves to illustrate the sense of loss and separation that the speaker experienced. The phrase "my flesh was theirs" creates a sense of ownership and control, while the phrase "severed to suit school" suggests a sense of sacrifice and obligation.
Tone:
The tone of "Book Ends" is reflective and melancholic. The poem is a meditation on the passage of time and the sense of loss that it engenders. The repetition of the first and last lines of each stanza creates a sense of nostalgia and longing.
Language:
The language in "Book Ends" is simple and direct. The use of colloquial language, such as the reference to the parents having their "p***s cut off," creates a sense of authenticity and realism. The use of repetition creates a sense of rhythm and structure.
Interpretation:
"Book Ends" is a poem that can be interpreted in many ways. At its core, it is a reflection on the passage of time and how it affects individuals and families. The poem suggests that time is a powerful force that shapes our lives and identities.
The reference to the end of the "Chatterley" ban and the Beatles' first LP suggests that the poem is about a specific time and place: Britain in the early 1960s. This was a time of social and cultural change, and the poem suggests that this change had a profound impact on individuals and families.
The reference to the parents having their "p***s cut off" is a powerful image that suggests a sense of loss and separation. This loss is further emphasized by the phrase "my flesh was theirs," which suggests a sense of ownership and control. The phrase "severed to suit school" suggests that the speaker's education was also shaped by outside forces.
Overall, "Book Ends" is a powerful poem that reflects on the nature of time and the human experience. It is a poem that can be interpreted in many different ways and has been used in many different contexts. It is a classic poem that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Book Ends: A Poem of Life and Death
Tony Harrison's "Book Ends" is a classic poem that explores the themes of life and death, love and loss, and the passage of time. The poem is structured around the metaphor of a book, with the first and last stanzas serving as the "book ends" that frame the central narrative. Through the use of vivid imagery, powerful language, and a masterful command of form, Harrison creates a deeply moving and thought-provoking work that resonates with readers of all ages.
The poem begins with the image of two books, "one open, one closed," sitting on a shelf. The books represent the two stages of life: youth and old age. The first book, "the one with the closed white pages," symbolizes the beginning of life, when everything is fresh and new. The second book, "the one with the open book face," represents the end of life, when everything is known and familiar. The two books are connected by a "silver cord," which represents the thread of life that runs through them both.
The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, with its stark contrast between the two books. The closed book is described as "blank as an egg," while the open book is "full of blank pages." This contrast between emptiness and fullness, between the unknown and the known, is a recurring theme throughout the poem.
In the second stanza, Harrison introduces the central narrative of the poem: the story of a love affair between two young people. The narrator describes how he and his lover would "lie in bed and read our separate books." The books they read represent their individual lives, with all their hopes, dreams, and fears. The fact that they read their books separately suggests that they are still in the early stages of their relationship, when they are still exploring their own identities.
The third stanza introduces the first hint of mortality, as the narrator describes how he and his lover would "turn the pages of our lives." The metaphor of the book is extended here, as the pages of their lives represent the passage of time. The fact that they turn the pages together suggests that they are growing closer, but also that they are aware of the inevitability of change.
In the fourth stanza, the narrator describes how he and his lover would "write our names inside each other's books." This act of writing their names inside each other's books represents their commitment to each other, and their desire to be together forever. The fact that they write their names inside each other's books suggests that they are becoming more intertwined, and that their individual lives are becoming more closely connected.
The fifth stanza marks a turning point in the poem, as the narrator describes how his lover died. The fact that she died "before the end of the book" suggests that her life was cut short, and that there was still much left for her to experience. The fact that she died "in the middle of a word" suggests that her death was sudden and unexpected, and that she was not able to finish what she had started.
The sixth stanza is a powerful meditation on death, as the narrator describes how he felt after his lover died. He describes how he "closed her book, and walked away in silence." The act of closing her book represents the finality of death, and the fact that he walked away in silence suggests that he was overwhelmed by grief.
The seventh stanza is a reflection on the passage of time, as the narrator describes how he grew old and "wore the bottoms of my trousers rolled." The fact that he wore his trousers rolled suggests that he was no longer concerned with fashion or appearances, but was more focused on the practicalities of life. The fact that he grew old also suggests that he has experienced many of the things that his lover was not able to.
The eighth stanza brings the poem full circle, as the narrator describes how he returned to the shelf where the two books were sitting. He describes how he "opened the book of my life and found her name again." The fact that he found her name again suggests that he has not forgotten her, and that she still holds a special place in his heart.
The final stanza is a powerful reflection on the meaning of life and death. The narrator describes how he "closed the book of my life, and put it on the shelf." The act of closing his book represents the end of his life, and the fact that he puts it on the shelf suggests that he has come to terms with his mortality. The fact that he puts it next to his lover's book suggests that they are still connected, even in death.
In conclusion, Tony Harrison's "Book Ends" is a powerful and moving poem that explores the themes of life and death, love and loss, and the passage of time. Through the use of vivid imagery, powerful language, and a masterful command of form, Harrison creates a work that resonates with readers of all ages. The metaphor of the book is used to great effect, as it allows Harrison to explore the different stages of life and the different ways in which we experience love and loss. Ultimately, the poem is a meditation on the meaning of life and death, and a reminder that even in death, we are still connected to those we love.
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