Other words throughout the poem such as ‘scrawls’ and ‘snaggle’ are used as descriptive words of her ugly and degrading defacement.
There are other themes targeted throughout this poem such as inadequacy, sexuality and contrasting reality and fantasy issues. The language used throughout this poem is effective because of everyday slang used to convey a point which helps the reader conjure up a clear sense of attitudes, feelings and emotions.
The next poem I shall look at is “Mr.Bleaney”. This poem is describing the miserable, mundane and lonely life of ‘Mr.Bleaney’. The poem contains strong emphasis on language that mirrors the sort of life that Mr.Bleaney leads. As readers of the poem find out, Larkin’s choice of diction is depressive and drab. The description of Mr. Bleaneys dull and lacking in character bedroom is also reflecting the character himself as well as contributing to the overall mood of the poem.
Ordinary everyday speech is used throughout this poem to not only help describe Mr.Bleaney and his lifestyle, but to convey an extremely realistic image of the character.
The language used by Larkin is very plain ordinary speech. Larkin could have used more complex language to create the image of Mr.Bleaney, but by keeping it plain and literal the right mood and tone of the poem is obtained as well as the language mirroring the character.
“…Bed upright chair, sixty-watt bulb, no hook
…his preference for sauce to gravy, why?
…He stood and watched the frigid wind
…One hired box should make him pretty sure
He warranted no better.”
The quotations above are plain images of Mr.Bleaney and his ‘hired box’. Irrelevant details that the persona has included of his or her impression of Mr.Bleaney such as: ‘his preference for sauce to gravy, why?’ perhaps reflect the almost irrelevant existence of Mr.Bleaney himself.
Mr.Bleaneys ‘hired box’ description and its contents are very simple and basic, again reflecting the character. The persona states how he would stand and watch the ‘frigid’ wind. ‘Frigid’ is a strong negative word which has been carefully selected for this poem.
The main theme covered in this poem is the fear of changing your life for something better and how you live your life reflects you as a person.
Andrew Motions observation relates well to this poem because Larkin has used key words and plain, simple descriptions to match an equally simple and plain individual.
The final poem I shall look at is “MCMXIV”. The majority of the language in this poem is very old fashioned and nostalgic language. Once again, this reflects the exact mood and theme of the poem – a nostalgic poem about the past.
“…On moustached archaic faces
…as if it were all a Bank Holiday lark;
…the farthings and sovereign,
…The dust behind the limousines.”
Larkin’s yearning for the past is recognized by his constant referral to old fashioned items and customs (i.e. half day closings, farthings, sovereigns etc). It is also shown in his use of old language. For example “archaic”, “limousines” and “lark”.
There are certain words in this poem that Larkin has used for their nostalgic quality. The word ‘archaic’ means old – which also relates to theme of the poem.
I agree with Andrew Motions statement for this particular poem, as the choice of diction is tackling the language of ordinary speech but from a time gone by.
The main themes in this poem is nostalgia, finality and dissatisfaction with modern day living.
Out of the three poems I have looked at, I feel that Sunny Prestatyn is the most effective for Larkin’s use of ordinary everyday language.
I think this because the words and tone chosen by Larkin for the poem help contribute to the overall effectiveness of the poem. I also feel that because the language of ‘ordinary speech’ is used carefully throughout, that the themes portrayed in the poem link closely with Andrew Motions observation.
Louise Fell