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Week 1 Blog Questions Answered
Jan. 15th, 2012 08:28 pmDoes Larkin's poem "This Be The Verse" fit some criteria for "great" Literature? Well, aside from the obvious reason why it does, being that its an assigned reading for a college class, this also isnt the first time I've seen or heard this poem. Other reasons why I believe this poem fits the criteria for being great literature, is in its use of language. It uses strong words, and it uses gentle words. These words are intended to draw strong emotions from the reader, for me, it had me thinking in depth about both sides of the fence when it comes to parenting. In one sense it had me totally sympathizing with what he was trying to portray, and agreeing that yes my parents did mess up, but then I felt much the opposite, and literally wanted sit him down in front of me and tell him "no, your wrong, we certainly must have kids ourselves, we must do everything we can not to "Fuck" them up and learn from the mistakes our parents made with us and theirs before them." It also had me wondering about Philip Larkin himself, the character behind those words, and think about who was that person who felt so strongly about how his parents, and so then universaly those of the readers and then later the reader themselves would inevitably, mess up the most important job of ones life. That of raising, nuturing and teaching another human being.
James Joyce's "Evaline" furthers our thoughts on the relationships we have with our parents, both personally and universaly. It has the reader thinking about Evaline, who she was, her attributes and characteristics. It has the reader thinking more deeply into their own relationships with their parents, and those they have now or will have in the future with their own children. Evaline, discusses how she does not want to be treated by a man in the way her father treated her mother, or herself for that matter. She talks about a far off land full of visions of a better life with a kind man. She's almost free of the past and the man who treats her terribly for the man she hopes will rescue her from a life of unhappiness, yet she doesnt go. There is nothing physical stopping her from going, but it seems there is a deep connection she has to home, the familiar, her father, and her promise to her mother. Which brings us back to Philip Larkin's "This be the Verse." The theme of parent child relationships, the inevitable fact that each will have its turn to screw up the next generation. The next generation turning to whats familiar, and seeking comfort in that.
James Joyce's "Evaline" furthers our thoughts on the relationships we have with our parents, both personally and universaly. It has the reader thinking about Evaline, who she was, her attributes and characteristics. It has the reader thinking more deeply into their own relationships with their parents, and those they have now or will have in the future with their own children. Evaline, discusses how she does not want to be treated by a man in the way her father treated her mother, or herself for that matter. She talks about a far off land full of visions of a better life with a kind man. She's almost free of the past and the man who treats her terribly for the man she hopes will rescue her from a life of unhappiness, yet she doesnt go. There is nothing physical stopping her from going, but it seems there is a deep connection she has to home, the familiar, her father, and her promise to her mother. Which brings us back to Philip Larkin's "This be the Verse." The theme of parent child relationships, the inevitable fact that each will have its turn to screw up the next generation. The next generation turning to whats familiar, and seeking comfort in that.
