Compare and contrast the use of language, tone and effect in Larkin's "MCMXIV" and "High Windows"
Compare and contrast the use of language, tone and effect in Larkin’s “MCMXIV” and “High Windows”
Larkin’s “High Windows” starts with an almost awkward frankness in the first stanza which subsequently points to the thrust of the poem. The directness of the young folk's relationships “fucking” each other is paradise to one who remembers greater repression. I think the use of swear words suggests a bitter tone with some underlying envy. MCMXIV is a war poem, Larkin is not known as a war poet so naturally this poem is more detached. He writes in a somber mood with a frozen quality to the poem, his tone is less direct than High Windows more irony is used, which generally makes the poem more sophisticated.
The poem High Windows was written in 1967 during the sexual revelation, where there was an evident tension between the younger and older generation. The younger generation were bypassing rules which would be unheard of back in the 1950s. The first stanza of High Windows introduces the poem as perhaps slightly primitive and unsophisticated. This is not the case, as the poem continues, it develops. To support this point is the use of language such as “fucking”. It is also very impactful on the reader. The way he expresses sexual intercourse in the first stanza is very unorthodox. It is meant to be a personal act committed by two individuals that is normally not spoken publically about. Larking discusses this in a very direct manner which give the reader the impression that Larkin doesn’t care because perhaps he is too old and doesn’t feel he needs to be cautious about what he says and the way he says it. The enjambment used between stanzas one and two can be portrayed in many different ways:
