'Long Sight In Age' by Philip Larkin

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1955They say eyes clear with age,As dew clarifies airTo sharpen evenings,As if time put an edgeRound the last shape of thingsTo show them there;The many-levelled trees,The long soft tides of grassWrinkling away the goldWind-ridden waves- all these,They say, come back to focusAs we grow old.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Philip Larkin's "Long Sight In Age": An Exploration of Time and Mortality

Philip Larkin's "Long Sight In Age" is a masterful ode to the inevitability of mortality and the passage of time. Through the use of vivid imagery and carefully crafted language, Larkin captures the essence of what it means to grow old and face the ultimate unknown. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve into the various themes and motifs present in the poem and explore how they contribute to its overall meaning.

The Poem

First, let's take a look at the poem itself:

Most things are never meant.
This won't be, most likely; but the trick
Is to recognise in what's happening
The skill in it, the made
Thing, the useful space
Between the approaching car
And the curbstone that suddenly
Makes it useful. It's a matter
Of coming close together
In a quiet room. You can't
Force it any more than love. But
Don't make a ceremony of it.
The room must be the room
Of the room's inhabitants.
The furniture and fittings of the room
Must express the occupants.
The relationship
Begins casually, without design,
Like a song heard on the radio
That you will always remember,
Taking its place in the long
Catalogue of disasters. It becomes
Part of your life. It modifies your thinking.
The radio's song is always there
Like a cocktail party in somebody else's flat
That you wish you hadn't gone to. But you went.
And there was no escape from it.
Now forever the radio's song
Rounds itself out with a third
And fourth time. You listen to it
With your head on your arm, and the sound
Is a sobbing in your ears.
Two minutes' happiness, flashed
Twenty years back, and now you listen
For an old, known, unfulfilled
Longing that will never come.

The Passage of Time

One of the central themes of "Long Sight In Age" is the passage of time and the ways in which it shapes our lives. Larkin's use of imagery is particularly effective in conveying this idea, as he juxtaposes the fleeting happiness of the radio's song with the long, drawn-out agony of a life unfulfilled. The image of the cocktail party in somebody else's flat is particularly haunting, as it suggests a sense of isolation and longing that is all too familiar to those who have lived through the passing of time.

Moreover, the poem suggests that time is not always a linear progression, but rather a series of disjointed moments that we must try to make sense of. Larkin writes, "Most things are never meant. / This won't be, most likely; but the trick / Is to recognise in what's happening / The skill in it, the made / Thing, the useful space / Between the approaching car / And the curbstone that suddenly / Makes it useful." Here, he suggests that the key to understanding time is not to try to impose a narrative structure onto it, but rather to focus on the individual moments that make it up.

Mortality and the Unknown

Another major theme of "Long Sight In Age" is mortality and the unknown. Larkin's use of language is particularly effective in conveying the sense of fear and uncertainty that comes with facing the end of one's life. He writes, "Taking its place in the long / Catalogue of disasters. It becomes / Part of your life. It modifies your thinking. / The radio's song is always there / Like a cocktail party in somebody else's flat / That you wish you hadn't gone to. But you went. / And there was no escape from it." Here, the image of the long catalogue of disasters is particularly powerful, suggesting that death is just another in a long line of catastrophes that we must endure.

Moreover, the poem suggests that the unknown is not necessarily something to be feared, but rather something that we must learn to accept. Larkin writes, "The relationship / Begins casually, without design, / Like a song heard on the radio / That you will always remember." Here, he suggests that the key to facing the unknown is to approach it with a sense of openness and curiosity, much like we might approach a new relationship or a new song on the radio.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Long Sight In Age" is a masterful exploration of the themes of time, mortality, and the unknown. Through the use of vivid imagery and carefully crafted language, Larkin captures the essence of what it means to grow old and face the ultimate unknown. The poem suggests that the key to understanding time is not to impose a narrative structure onto it, but rather to focus on the individual moments that make it up. Moreover, it suggests that the unknown is not necessarily something to be feared, but rather something that we must learn to accept. Overall, "Long Sight In Age" is a poignant reminder of the importance of living in the moment and appreciating the time that we have.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Philip Larkin's "Long Sight In Age" is a classic poem that explores the theme of aging and the inevitable decline of the human body. The poem is a reflection on the poet's own experience of growing old and losing his sight, and it is a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the inevitability of death.

The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which explores a different aspect of the theme of aging. The first stanza describes the physical changes that occur as we age, such as the loss of sight and the deterioration of the body. The second stanza explores the emotional impact of aging, as the poet reflects on the loss of youth and the passing of time. The final stanza offers a glimmer of hope, as the poet suggests that even in old age, there is still beauty to be found in the world.

The first stanza of the poem begins with the line "I see in the street," which immediately establishes the theme of sight and the loss of vision that comes with age. The poet describes how he can no longer see the details of the world around him, and how everything appears blurry and indistinct. He notes how the colors of the world have faded, and how the once-vibrant hues of youth have given way to a dull and muted palette.

The second half of the stanza shifts focus to the physical changes that occur as we age. The poet describes how his body has become weaker and more fragile, and how he is no longer able to do the things he once enjoyed. He notes how his hands tremble and his legs ache, and how he is no longer able to run or dance or play like he used to. The stanza ends with the poignant line "I am not what I was," which encapsulates the sense of loss and decline that comes with aging.

The second stanza of the poem explores the emotional impact of aging. The poet reflects on the passing of time and the loss of youth, and how these things can leave us feeling empty and alone. He notes how the memories of youth are bittersweet, and how they can never be recaptured. He also reflects on the transience of life, and how everything we hold dear will eventually fade away.

The stanza ends with the line "And time itself's a feathered thing," which suggests that time is fleeting and fragile, like a bird that can easily be blown away by the wind. This line is particularly powerful, as it captures the sense of impermanence that pervades the poem.

The final stanza of the poem offers a glimmer of hope, as the poet suggests that even in old age, there is still beauty to be found in the world. He notes how the sky is still blue and the trees are still green, and how the world is still full of wonder and mystery. He also reflects on the power of memory, and how the past can still bring us joy and comfort even as we grow old.

The poem ends with the line "And yet it moves," which is a reference to the famous quote by Galileo, "Eppur si muove" (And yet it moves). This line suggests that even in the face of aging and death, life still goes on, and that there is still beauty and wonder to be found in the world.

Overall, "Long Sight In Age" is a powerful and poignant poem that explores the theme of aging with sensitivity and insight. The poem is a reminder that life is fleeting and fragile, and that we should cherish every moment we have. It is also a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, and a celebration of the beauty and wonder of the world around us.

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