The Whitsun Weddings (Faber Poetry)

Looking at the previous reviews I find it quite adverse that someone would condemn a book of poetry because it isn't 'perky' enough. I thought poetry was about so much more than just lifting the spirits.

I myself am 17, studying The Whitsun Weddings for my AS level. Incontestably, it is of a depressive nature, but I do not view this as a possible criticism of the book. This is the very thing that makes it a worthwhile read. Larkin's pessimistic/realist views on matters such as monogamy and marriage, consumerism and generally pre-idealised life are yes, very blunt and negative, but something we have all atleast pondered on. I think his work is very enjoyable. With his arrogance constantly juxaposed with his feelings of inadequacy, I felt like I could despise him, and at the same time, completely empathise with him. Intricate work!

I recommend it!

Inspiring (1/3 people found this helpful)

Philip Larkin's work is absolutely astounding. My introduction to his work in Higher English has impacted me without a doubt. With very little interest in the English course I was failing badly until our new teacher introduced us to the likes of Philip Larkin, Emily Bronte and Tenesse Williams. My favourite poem is undoubtedly "The Whitsun Weddings". Larkin's method of conveying his disparaging attitude to the lower classes and the post-war industrialisation through a seemingly simple train journey absolutly facsinates me! And Church Going utterly blows my mind. And the constant theme of isolation, an onlooker. Without a doubt I will be checking out more of Larkin's poetry. His is truly, in my opinion, a poetical genious.

Depressing, cynical, profoudnly dull...I could go on. (3/22 people found this helpful)

This selection is one which a reader will either adore or despise. By my title, one can safely assume I fall into the category of utter despise for this piece.

A compulsory read for an A-Level Literature course, Larkin is depressing to the young mind. He argues and portrays that he has lived a life, that he has been afforded true experience, that he can convey to the reader the knowledge and awareness that one needs so as to not discover the same unpleasantries that befitted him.

However, Larkin's portrayal of life is painfully depressing. There is no sense of positivity, but rather melancholy, doom and gloom, sadness, depression, failure, misgivings, misfortune, darkness. It is not what a 17-year-old reader wishes to read about what he will endure over the coming years.

Larkin does not seem to believe in true love, but rather in the meaninglessness of sexual prosciumuity. He writes as though true love has not touched him, as though he does not consider it to be existent and so reaches the most depressing levels with the reader. This collection is not a pick-me-up.

The devices Larkin uses, his literal and poetic quality, his apparent ability are all evident and all applaudable. Indeed, techincally, his manipulation and presentation of language is exceptional, there is no doubting his poetic ability. It is not the quality of his poems that make this colection an unwelcome read; it is the subject, the general feeling exuded. This is not a warm, cheerful book.

So whilst the poet is evidently vastly talented and whilst his talent is impressive, this book does not justify its purchase. There is adequate sadness in the world, without one paying one's money to read Larkin's arduously depressing perception of life in further detail. I regret having taken English Literature, largely because of this text - it is not a worthwhile read unless your choice is to remove all joy from the true beauties we are all afforded.

What survives... (11/13 people found this helpful)

My introduction to Philip Larkin and his collection of verse,' The Whitsun Weddings' I owe to my friend David Evennett, one-time Member of Parliament for Erith and Crayford. Back when I was researcher for a Member of Parliament, I had an avocation as a poet. David discovered this, and recommended Larkin as a poetic voice worthy of attention. (His researcher acted surprised, blurting out loud much to our amusement, 'And here I always took you for a Philistine!') I have been grateful ever since, as I frequently return to this slim volume of verse for inspiration and reflection.

This volume of poetry includes 32 poems. A small book first published in 1964, it has proven so popular (something rare in poetry circles) that it has been reprinted four times during the 1970s, four times during the 1980s, and continues to be reprinted periodically up to the present day.

John Betjeman, one-time poet laureate of England, once commented of Larkin that 'this tenderly observant poet writes clearly, rhythmically, and thoughtfully about what all of us can understand.' This is the key to Larkin's verse -- accessibility. There are no obvious poetical devices that overpower the meaning or the language; there are no forced schemes, however brilliantly executed, that impose themselves on the reader. The gentle rhythms carry the reader like a slow-moving train on a well-cushioned track.

The poem `Mr. Bleaney' is the one David first drew attention to when I brought in the small book a few days after his recommendation.

But if he stood and watched the frigid wind
Tousling the clouds, lay on the fusty bed
Telling himself that this was home, and grinned,
And shivered, without shaking off the dread
That how we live measures our own nature,
And at his age having no more to show
Than one hired box should make him pretty sure
He warranted no better, I don't know.

These words resonate with me at different times in my life, as they did with David. There is a desire to make someone of oneself, to have something to show for one's life. In the development of Mr. Bleaney's life, and his successor in the rented room, one can take stock and reappraise one's own life. What is the value, and how is it calculated?

Larkin's poetry frequently turns to the matter of religion and spirituality, without getting overly fussy or remote. In the poem Water, Larkin gives a very brief description of a spirit-freeing and pluralistic yet communal experience.

Larkin addresses the issues of age and youth, of love and loneliness, of despair and hope, all within the space of these 32 wonderful poems. The poem `Wild Oats' incorporates all of these themes in one compact, bittersweet tale of life. Who could fail to wonder at the matter-of-fact and poignant description of the man who couldn't commit to one woman, having met only briefly her more beautiful friend, and seven years later is still unable to forget? The poem `A Study of Reading Habits' likewise, dealing with dreams conjured up through reading during youth gone the way of reality in middle age, ending with a too-familiar sour-grapes feeling, `Books are a load of crap'.

Of course, I mustn't neglect the title piece, `The Whitsun Weddings'. Perfectly capturing mood and manner of weddings, the routine and the cycle of life, Larkin in fact uses the image of travelling by rail as a subtle motif for the journey through life, the Whitsun Weddings being a stop through which many (a dozen couples in this poem) proceed on their way to lives that will be lived out in `London spread out like the sun / Its postal districts packed like squares of wheat.'

Larkin's final word in this collection is a very worthy word -- one that will preach, in the words of a cleric friend of mine -- and one that brings to very sweet encapsulation his image of the Arundel Tomb, carefully and tenderly drawn for us in words, evoking images of when it was first created to how it is perceived today in its state of weathered testimony of the couple buried together:

Their final blazon, and to prove
Our almost-instinct almost true:
What will survive of us is love.

Phillip Larkin - The Whitsun Weddings (0/3 people found this helpful)

Larkin was a poet I had never heard of before. A year ago, if you had said to me "I love Phillip Larkin" i would have thought you were bonkers. But now I am his biggest fan!

I was introduced to this collection of poems whiles studying AS Literature this year, and my word what a collection it is!

It's quite notable that some of the forms and structures of the poems are quite weird and have plenty of enjmblement in them, and also that the main themes running through these poems are death, misery, disappointment and depression - but hey! its the twentieth century, and like it or not, this is the truth. this is what life is, a bag full of regret and worries.

There are some witty poems in this collection - both witty funny and witty cooooool. I particularly like the title poem "The Whitsun Weddings" where he talks about peoples ignorance of each other, and how weddings are such and special day but are as common as muck.

There are also some more "classic" poems if you will, poems about the world and sheep (!!!) such as "First Sight" which talks about newly born sheep (awwww!) but even the classic romantic poem has the Larkin twist, where he talks about how little they know about the world.

But this collection is brilliant, a universally wonderful and enjoyable grouping of poems which i think just about anybody can enjoys - even A Level students!

The Whitsun Weddings (Faber Poetry)

Philip Larkin

Reader Reviews:

The Whitsun Weddings (1/1 people found this helpful)

Inspiring (1/3 people found this helpful)

Depressing, cynical, profoudnly dull...I could go on. (3/22 people found this helpful)

What survives... (11/13 people found this helpful)

Phillip Larkin - The Whitsun Weddings (0/3 people found this helpful)

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