As far as making a decision on which side of Larkin I prefer, I really don’t know. This is one of the times that being incredibly indecisive is getting the best of me. I think that to fully appreciate Larkin it is not quite possible to look at these two sides separately. I think that both sides of Larkin and his poetry are fundamental in understanding the other. You need his dark, witty side to understand his yearning semi-religious works.
Out of this collection, “Toads” is probably one of my more favorite poems. Larkin’s tone seems very sweet and true through this poem. He can’t help but be slightly romantic and sentimental in this, showing his witty side as well as a little bit of his beliefs in it. He seems slightly sarcastic and cynical, but it still seems very truthful. He seems to not be taking sides in this poem, but rather observing sides as well as himself. He seems to be accepting in this poem, acknowledging that life happens, and you just have to go with it. Larkin recognizes that what one desires in life will always lead to another desire, and the cycle continues. “Toads” emphasizes this internal struggle and desire for something better while still connecting to the basic human tendency to stay in one place.
Larkin’s slightly religious side, however, comes through more in “Church Going.” This poem seems to have much more room for Larkin’s feelings and his reflections on life and religion. While Larkin doesn’t necessarily seek a religious belief in this poem, he still seems to be on a search. He seems to be searching for something to replace religion with. In going to a church, Larkin recognizes something respectful in himself, but is not sure why he should feel this respect. He seems to be trying to find transcendence in something, but deep down, he knows it is not a possibility. Larkin recognizes that for some, church is a serious matter, but for many, like himself, there is not a deeper connection. He seems to acknowledge that maybe they should be more serious, but he does not understand why. This shows that the search is never ending and that we will always question everything.
So back to which I prefer, I am still sticking to my idea of needing both. I don’t think I would appreciate “Toads” without “Church Going” and vice versa. I need his search in religion to understand his romantic side. “It pleases me to stand in silence here,” seems to sum his poetry up pretty well. While standing in silence, not only can he observe, but he can also search, without ever having to move. It is these moments in life that Larkin is able to be a witty, romantic, and cynical all at the same time.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Sunday, April 3, 2011
James Schuyler's "October"
I chose to focus on “October” by James Schuyler for this post. “October” seems to fit into the theme of our class in that this poem is much like a painting. We were talking the other day of how Schuyler was more like a painter in the way he presents his images. He shows a certain quality of light in his work and the end result seems to be more important than the process of getting there.
“October” is much like a painting in Schuyler’s descriptions of his images. He uses simple, but pleasurable language to make this poem sweet, short and sound beautiful. This could also easily be another poem written from his window. It is easy to imagine him sitting by his window, watching the outside world, as he notices the summer change to fall. His bed is littered with books, just as the outside is littered with leaves. Here, he is able to reference the natural world and the city world together.
This poem is also representative of time passing. He is remarking on the changes that are happening, specifically those relating to death, as fall brings the leaves to the ground. This could be remarking on a return to the natural world as well. Living outside the city, Schuyler could be commenting on his own potential mortality as well as just a desire to return to nature.
James Schuyler, being a paranoid-schizophrenic, might have also been having trouble with his emotions at time. If this was the case, then he would possibly have been tormented with emotional distance, a feeling of self-importance, and anxiety. This in mind, this poem could be a representation of how Schuyler felt emotionally distant from the world and this poem could show his lack of interest in the changes that were taking place around him.
I think “October” is a beautiful poem that just shows you how beautiful the month of October really is. (Not just because that is my birth month either.) October is when the air changes to slightly cooler weather and fall begins to take shape. The leaves change to a bright reddish-orange before they fall to the ground. The leaves could be Schuyler's representation of light in this poem as well. I was just thinking of how pretty the leaves look in that color when the sun shines through them on the trees. If nothing else, this poem is just about what Schuyler is seeing on a rainy October day from the window at the Porter’s house.
“October” is much like a painting in Schuyler’s descriptions of his images. He uses simple, but pleasurable language to make this poem sweet, short and sound beautiful. This could also easily be another poem written from his window. It is easy to imagine him sitting by his window, watching the outside world, as he notices the summer change to fall. His bed is littered with books, just as the outside is littered with leaves. Here, he is able to reference the natural world and the city world together.
This poem is also representative of time passing. He is remarking on the changes that are happening, specifically those relating to death, as fall brings the leaves to the ground. This could be remarking on a return to the natural world as well. Living outside the city, Schuyler could be commenting on his own potential mortality as well as just a desire to return to nature.
James Schuyler, being a paranoid-schizophrenic, might have also been having trouble with his emotions at time. If this was the case, then he would possibly have been tormented with emotional distance, a feeling of self-importance, and anxiety. This in mind, this poem could be a representation of how Schuyler felt emotionally distant from the world and this poem could show his lack of interest in the changes that were taking place around him.
I think “October” is a beautiful poem that just shows you how beautiful the month of October really is. (Not just because that is my birth month either.) October is when the air changes to slightly cooler weather and fall begins to take shape. The leaves change to a bright reddish-orange before they fall to the ground. The leaves could be Schuyler's representation of light in this poem as well. I was just thinking of how pretty the leaves look in that color when the sun shines through them on the trees. If nothing else, this poem is just about what Schuyler is seeing on a rainy October day from the window at the Porter’s house.
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