Larkin and consumerism

After world war two, there was a move within literature from an early symbolistic style, to a development of the poetic voice. Larkin was an example of such expressionism, and writes his poetry in such a persuasive form that we feel we have to accept his views as our own. “The art of the poet is to remove the feelings of others by exhibiting his own”

In looking at Larkin’s poetry, it becomes apparent that Larkin is cynical towards the world in which consumerism has replaced religion. Although Larkin was an Agnostic, describing religion as “the moth-eaten musical brocade created to pretend we never die”, the persona in ‘Church going’ has taken time to visit the church and Larkin seems to be well acquainted with the religious terms of the various furniture within it, suggesting he has some sort of respect for it. Religion represents an old Britain and an era of which Larkin appears very nostalgic toward

The title ‘Essential beauty’, refers to the platonic belief in essences. Larkin may be implying that beauty is essential in this new world, but also destructive. The billboards ‘overlook’ the lives in which they have so much control over , deceiving in their domination. “They dominate outdoors,. Rather they rise serenely to proclaim pure crust, pure foam”. Larkin portrays effectively here, his views on the reality of a fantasy-based society.

‘The large cool store’ is based on a visit to a marks and spencers store with Maeve Brennan. The poem focuses particularly on the desire that consumerism brings, leading to an inevitable disappointment.

Talking on the BBC in the 1960’s, Larkin introduced the poem with the statement “Billboards seems to me beautiful in an odd, sad way like infinitely platonic essences”.

The Whitsun weddings consists of many poems which constantly focus on advertising and the material world

Larkin’s poems reflect a “never had it so good” era where mass consumerism have become the new religion. Larkin is very cynical towards such an era and in his poem

Some topics in this essay:
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