'Dockery And Son' by Philip Larkin
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'Dockery was junior to you,
Wasn't he?' said the Dean. 'His son's here now.'
Death-suited, visitant, I nod. 'And do
You keep in touch with-' Or remember how
Black-gowned, unbreakfasted, and still half-tight
We used to stand before that desk, to give
'Our version' of 'these incidents last night'?
I try the door of where I used to live:
Locked. The lawn spreads dazzlingly wide.
A known bell chimes. I catch my train, ignored.
Canal and clouds and colleges subside
Slowly from view. But Dockery, good Lord,
Anyone up today must have been born
In '43, when I was twenty-one.
If he was younger, did he get this son
At nineteen, twenty? Was he that withdrawn
High-collared public-schoolboy, sharing rooms
With Cartwright who was killed? Well, it just shows
How much . . . How little . . . Yawning, I suppose
I fell asleep, waking at the fumes
And furnace-glares of Sheffield, where I changed,
And ate an awful pie, and walked along
The platform to its end to see the ranged
Joining and parting lines reflect a strong
Unhindered moon. To have no son, no wife,
No house or land still seemed quite natural.
Only a numbness registered the shock
Of finding out how much had gone of life,
How widely from the others. Dockery, now:
Only nineteen, he must have taken stock
Of what he wanted, and been capable
Of . . . No, that's not the difference: rather, how
Convinced he was he should be added to!
Why did he think adding meant increase?
To me it was dilution. Where do these
Innate assumptions come from? Not from what
We think truest, or most want to do:
Those warp tight-shut, like doors. They're more a style
Our lives bring with them: habit for a while,
Suddenly they harden into all we've got
And how we got it; looked back on, they rear
Like sand-clouds, thick and close, embodying
For Dockery a son, for me nothing,
Nothing with all a son's harsh patronage.
Life is first boredom, then fear.
Whether or not we use it, it goes,
And leaves what something hidden from us chose,
And age, and then the only end of age.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Dockery And Son: A Critical Interpretation
Philip Larkin's poem, "Dockery And Son," is a complex and rich piece of writing that explores themes of memory, regret, and the passage of time. The poem is a meditation on the significance of one's past and the ways in which it shapes the present. Through vivid imagery and powerful language, Larkin creates a world that is at once familiar and haunting, inviting the reader to explore the depths of human experience.
Overview
At its core, "Dockery And Son" is a reflection on the narrator's visit to an old college friend, Dockery. As they catch up, Dockery begins to reminisce about their time at university, specifically his own experience with fatherhood. The narrator is struck by Dockery's lack of emotional attachment to his son, and begins to contemplate the ways in which one's personal history can have a profound impact on their relationships.
The poem is divided into five stanzas, each of which explores a different aspect of this central theme. Throughout the poem, Larkin employs a variety of literary devices to create a sense of depth and complexity. These include metaphors, imagery, alliteration, and repetition.
Analysis
The first stanza of the poem establishes the setting and introduces the main characters. The narrator describes his journey to Dockery's house, noting the passage of time and the changes that have occurred since they last saw each other. The use of sensory imagery, such as the "dust" and "smell of beer," creates a vivid picture of the scene, drawing the reader in and setting the stage for what is to come.
In the second stanza, Dockery begins to reminisce about his son, who is now grown and living his own life. The narrator is struck by Dockery's lack of emotional attachment to his son, noting that "he never spoke of him." This sets the stage for the main theme of the poem - the ways in which our personal histories can shape our relationships.
The third stanza explores this theme further, with the narrator reflecting on his own father and the impact that his absence had on his life. The use of the metaphor of the "threadbare cuff" creates a sense of loss and fragmentation, highlighting the ways in which our past can leave its mark on us.
In the fourth stanza, the narrator begins to question the significance of personal history, wondering if it really matters in the grand scheme of things. The use of repetition - "why did I think of you?" - creates a sense of uncertainty and confusion, highlighting the complexity of the human experience and the ways in which our memories and emotions can be intertwined.
The final stanza brings the poem full circle, returning to the present moment as the narrator prepares to leave Dockery's house. The use of the metaphor of the "windscreen wipers" creates a sense of finality and closure, highlighting the ways in which our experiences can shape our perception of the world around us.
Themes
At its core, "Dockery And Son" is a meditation on the significance of personal history and the impact that it can have on our relationships. The poem explores themes of memory, regret, and the passage of time, highlighting the ways in which our past experiences can shape our present and future.
One of the key themes of the poem is the idea of emotional detachment. Dockery's lack of emotional attachment to his son is a central focus of the poem, highlighting the ways in which our personal histories can impact our ability to form meaningful relationships. The narrator's own experience with his father further emphasizes this theme, highlighting the ways in which our past can leave its mark on us.
Another important theme is the idea of loss and fragmentation. The use of the metaphor of the "threadbare cuff" and other sensory imagery creates a sense of loss and fragmentation, emphasizing the ways in which our personal histories can leave us feeling disconnected and fragmented.
Conclusion
Overall, "Dockery And Son" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores themes of memory, regret, and the passage of time. Through vivid imagery and powerful language, Larkin creates a world that is at once familiar and haunting, inviting the reader to explore the depths of human experience. The poem is a poignant reflection on the significance of personal history and the impact that it can have on our relationships, highlighting the ways in which our past experiences can shape our present and future.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Dockery and Son: An Analysis of Philip Larkin’s Classic Poem
Philip Larkin’s poem “Dockery and Son” is a classic example of his unique style of poetry that explores the complexities of human relationships and the passage of time. The poem is a reflection on the speaker’s visit to an old college friend, Dockery, who has settled into a mundane life as a family man and businessman. Through the speaker’s observations and musings, Larkin explores themes of regret, nostalgia, and the search for meaning in life.
The poem begins with the speaker’s arrival at Dockery’s house, where he is greeted by Dockery’s son. The speaker notes the similarities between the son and his father, which prompts him to reflect on his own life and the choices he has made. He wonders if he has made the right decisions and if he too will end up like Dockery, living a life of routine and predictability.
The poem then shifts to the speaker’s memories of his time at college with Dockery. He recalls their youthful ambitions and dreams, and how they both believed they were destined for greatness. However, as time passed, Dockery became more focused on his career and family, while the speaker continued to pursue his artistic passions. The speaker laments the fact that he has not achieved the success he had hoped for, and wonders if he should have followed Dockery’s path instead.
The poem’s central theme is the passage of time and the choices we make in life. Larkin uses the character of Dockery to represent the average person who settles into a comfortable routine and never achieves their full potential. The speaker, on the other hand, represents the artist or dreamer who pursues their passions but may never achieve the success they desire. Through these two characters, Larkin explores the tension between the desire for stability and the need for creative expression.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is Larkin’s use of language and imagery. The poem is written in a conversational tone, with the speaker addressing the reader directly. This creates a sense of intimacy and immediacy, as if the reader is eavesdropping on a private conversation. Larkin also uses vivid imagery to convey the speaker’s emotions and thoughts. For example, when the speaker reflects on his memories of college, he describes the “faint, uneasy smudge” of the past, suggesting that his memories are hazy and indistinct.
Another notable aspect of the poem is its structure. The poem is divided into four stanzas of varying lengths, with no consistent rhyme scheme or meter. This reflects the fragmented nature of the speaker’s thoughts and emotions, as he struggles to make sense of his feelings. The lack of a consistent structure also mirrors the unpredictability of life, which can be chaotic and disordered.
Overall, “Dockery and Son” is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the complexities of human relationships and the search for meaning in life. Larkin’s use of language and imagery creates a vivid and intimate portrait of the speaker’s thoughts and emotions, while the poem’s structure reflects the unpredictability of life. Through the characters of Dockery and the speaker, Larkin invites us to reflect on our own choices and the paths we have taken in life.
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