Iain Lill
How is the fear of dying portrayed in Betjeman's poems?
Betjeman is not afraid of death, but is intrigued by the situations in which it occurs, and also what may happen afterwards. He finds the idea of death sad, but for the people left behind, not the person who is dying, or has died.
"Devonshire Street" is about a man's feelings, and the attitude of his wife, having discovered he has only a short time to live. The first stanza describes the setting for the poem, a rich affluent area of London, where a doctor practices. The "heavy mahogany" and "wrought-iron screen" indicate wealth, but this is ironic because all the wealth in the world will not be able to help this man with the terminal illness. The area is pleasant and scenic, a contrast to the news the man has been given. The second stanza shows this bleakness in the first two words; "no hope", the view may be pessimistic, but the "X-Ray photographs" show the undeniable facts . The surroundings, "brick built house" is calm, unlike his thoughts, and the urban environment is enclosed, and comparison with his life, which has now also been enclosed. The "iron knob" is a symbol of permanence, something he no longer has, and he notices this in the passing of other people down the street. He calls them "'merciless'", as they show to him that other life is carrying on, and he questions his fate. His wife tries to comfort him by reminding him of the good times: "Kensington dances". This shows his life was affluent, but all his money and connections can do nothing for him now. This brings a connection from whatever status he held to any other human being, who can try to understand the way he feels being told he will die soon. His wife also tries to comfort him by talking about mundane, everyday things such as how to get home, which is the cheapest way. He should take comfort in the fact that although to the majority of people isn't significant, he is important to his wife.
How is the fear of dying portrayed in Betjeman's poems?
Betjeman is not afraid of death, but is intrigued by the situations in which it occurs, and also what may happen afterwards. He finds the idea of death sad, but for the people left behind, not the person who is dying, or has died.
"Devonshire Street" is about a man's feelings, and the attitude of his wife, having discovered he has only a short time to live. The first stanza describes the setting for the poem, a rich affluent area of London, where a doctor practices. The "heavy mahogany" and "wrought-iron screen" indicate wealth, but this is ironic because all the wealth in the world will not be able to help this man with the terminal illness. The area is pleasant and scenic, a contrast to the news the man has been given. The second stanza shows this bleakness in the first two words; "no hope", the view may be pessimistic, but the "X-Ray photographs" show the undeniable facts . The surroundings, "brick built house" is calm, unlike his thoughts, and the urban environment is enclosed, and comparison with his life, which has now also been enclosed. The "iron knob" is a symbol of permanence, something he no longer has, and he notices this in the passing of other people down the street. He calls them "'merciless'", as they show to him that other life is carrying on, and he questions his fate. His wife tries to comfort him by reminding him of the good times: "Kensington dances". This shows his life was affluent, but all his money and connections can do nothing for him now. This brings a connection from whatever status he held to any other human being, who can try to understand the way he feels being told he will die soon. His wife also tries to comfort him by talking about mundane, everyday things such as how to get home, which is the cheapest way. He should take comfort in the fact that although to the majority of people isn't significant, he is important to his wife.
