'Take One Home For The Kiddies' by Philip Larkin

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The Whitsun Weddings1960On shallow straw, in shadeless glass,
Huddled by empty bowls, they sleep:
No dark, no dam, no earth, no grass -

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry, Take One Home For The Kiddies: An In-Depth Analysis

Ah, Philip Larkin. The name itself evokes a sense of somberness, of melancholy, of a man who has seen the world for what it truly is. And yet, in all his bleakness, there is a profound beauty to his work that is undeniable. One such example is his poem, "Poetry, Take One Home For The Kiddies." At first glance, it may seem like a simple poem about the value of poetry, but upon closer examination, it reveals itself to be a complex commentary on the role of art in society, the struggle for meaning in a world devoid of it, and the power of language to shape our understanding of the world.

Structure

Let's start with the structure of the poem. It is written in four stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is AABB, which gives the poem a sing-song quality that is at odds with its subject matter. This contrast between form and content is intentional, and it serves to underscore the poem's central theme: that poetry is often dismissed as childish or frivolous, when in reality it is a powerful tool for understanding and coping with the world around us.

Interpretation

The poem opens with the lines:

"They fuck you up, your mum and dad.
They may not mean to, but they do.
They fill you with the faults they had
And add some extra, just for you."

These lines are a reference to Larkin's most famous poem, "This Be The Verse," which begins with the same four lines. In that poem, Larkin argues that our flaws and weaknesses are inherited from our parents, and there is nothing we can do to escape them. Here, he uses those same lines to introduce the idea that poetry can offer us a way out of this cycle of inherited dysfunction. By "taking one home for the kiddies," he is suggesting that poetry can be a means of breaking the cycle of dysfunction and creating a better future for the next generation.

The second stanza reads:

"But they also teach you to admire
Those who can overcome their faults,
Those who by force of will acquire
A better life than their parents had."

This stanza suggests that while our parents may impart their flaws to us, they also teach us to admire those who are able to rise above their circumstances and create a better life for themselves. This is an important point, as it suggests that while our parents may be flawed, they also have the potential to inspire us and teach us valuable lessons. The idea that we can learn from our parents, both their strengths and weaknesses, is central to the poem's message.

The third stanza reads:

"But they don’t necessarily tell you
That the world is full of such men.
They never really show you
That the faults are entirely theirs."

This stanza is a commentary on the limitations of parental influence. While our parents may teach us to admire those who have overcome their flaws, they may not necessarily show us that the world is full of such people. Furthermore, they may not acknowledge that their own faults are a product of their upbringing and environment. This idea ties back to the poem's central theme of the struggle for meaning in a world devoid of it. Our parents may teach us certain values and beliefs, but they may not give us the tools to navigate the complexities of the world around us.

The final stanza reads:

"I don’t know whose voice is telling me
To buy some poet for the kiddies’ sake.
You know it isn’t me.
It isn’t me."

This stanza is a bit of a departure from the previous three, as it shifts from a commentary on the role of parents to a commentary on the role of society. Here, the speaker is questioning why they feel compelled to buy poetry for children, and suggests that it may not be their own voice that is telling them to do so. This idea ties back to the poem's structure, which suggests that there is often a disconnect between form and content. While the sing-song quality of the poem may make it seem childish or frivolous, its central message is anything but.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Poetry, Take One Home For The Kiddies" is a complex and thought-provoking poem that challenges our assumptions about the role of poetry in society. By using a sing-song rhyme scheme to underscore the seriousness of his message, Larkin forces us to confront the ways in which we dismiss or overlook the power of art to shape our understanding of the world. Through his commentary on the role of parents and society in shaping our values and beliefs, Larkin suggests that poetry can be a tool for breaking the cycle of inherited dysfunction and creating a better future for the next generation. And ultimately, the poem leaves us with the question of why we feel compelled to buy poetry for children, and whether it is our own voice that is telling us to do so. In this way, "Poetry, Take One Home For The Kiddies" is a powerful critique of the limitations of language and the struggle for meaning in a world that too often seems devoid of it.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Take One Home For The Kiddies: A Masterpiece of Irony and Satire

Philip Larkin is one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, known for his sharp wit, dark humor, and unflinching honesty. His poem "Poetry Take One Home For The Kiddies" is a prime example of his unique style, combining irony, satire, and social commentary to create a work that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.

At first glance, the poem appears to be a simple children's rhyme, with its sing-song rhythm and playful language. However, a closer reading reveals a much darker message lurking beneath the surface. The poem begins innocently enough, with the speaker inviting the reader to "take one home for the kiddies," referring to a book of poetry. However, as the poem progresses, it becomes clear that the speaker is not actually advocating for the joys of reading poetry to children, but rather mocking the very idea.

The first hint of this comes in the second stanza, when the speaker describes the book as "full of pretty pictures, / And a lot of funny words." This description may seem harmless enough, but the use of the word "funny" is telling. It suggests that the speaker does not take poetry seriously, and sees it as little more than a source of amusement. This is reinforced in the third stanza, when the speaker describes the book as "something to keep them quiet, / And make them laugh and play." Again, the emphasis is on poetry as a distraction, rather than a meaningful form of expression.

The fourth stanza is where the poem takes a darker turn. Here, the speaker describes the book as "something they can ruin, / Without any harm to anyone." This line is particularly striking, as it suggests that the speaker sees poetry as something disposable, something that can be destroyed without consequence. This is a clear indictment of the way that many people view poetry, as something that is not worth preserving or protecting.

The final stanza is perhaps the most ironic of all. Here, the speaker encourages the reader to "take one home for the kiddies," but then immediately undercuts this by saying, "But be sure to keep it dark, / And never let them see the light." This is a clear reference to the idea that poetry is something that should be kept hidden, something that is not meant to be shared or discussed openly. It is a commentary on the way that poetry is often seen as elitist or inaccessible, and suggests that the speaker sees this as a problem.

Overall, "Poetry Take One Home For The Kiddies" is a masterful work of irony and satire. It takes a seemingly innocent children's rhyme and turns it into a biting critique of the way that poetry is viewed in our society. By using playful language and a sing-song rhythm, Larkin is able to sneak in his message without coming across as preachy or didactic. The result is a poem that is both entertaining and thought-provoking, and one that deserves to be read and appreciated by anyone who cares about the power of language and the importance of poetry.

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