Thorough analysis and summary of Larkin's poem 'Spring', produced by all A* achieving student at A level.
41 views 0 purchase
Course
Unit 3 - Poetry
Institution
PEARSON (PEARSON)
This is a 3 page document that acts as a thorough essay plan and revision resource, produced by a student who achieved all A* at A level. It is split into an analysis of the poem itself, context, form, structure, language and ideas. (Hence touching upon all A0s assessed in the A level poetry exam.)
This is a poem that discusses spring, opening by highlighting the tranquility and happiness it might
bring, though this contrasts with the feelings of the speaker. Instead, he feels isolated from the rest
of society, though this isolation appears to be self-inflicted as he passes judgement on those around
him. Unlike others who are distracted by spring and hold a romanticized view, the speaker is
concerned with the negative aspects of spring but believes this gives him the position to see it truly
and to define it from a voyeur perspective.
Different themes:
Isolation and detachment
Natural world
Social expectation
Key poems to link to and why:
Reasons for attendance- false ideas about happiness
Coming- romanticized view of nature and spring
Contextual links:
Written in 1950, when Larkin was living with his mother and finally let go of Ruth Bowman-
dissonance between the season of spring and the poets melancholy.
Key elements of form and structure:
No resolution in the structure- Larkin uses sonnet form, but doesn’t separate this
traditionally. Mirroring the unconventionality of speaker?
Key methods and argument of the poem:
The first stanza begins with the speakers depiction of a park in springtime, conveying a sense of
tranquility as people wander through the location:
‘Green shadowed people’- those embracing the environment have become immersed in it,
almost as if they are a part of this natural world. The colour green is typically associated with
growth and the vibrancy of nature, which is a sign of life that contrasts the images of winter
which precede the season.
‘People sit, or walk in rings’- they have no purpose or are not being productive, simply
enjoying the environment.
Repetition of ‘calmly’ to establish sense of tranquility, as there appears a harmony with
humanity and nature.
Romanticised image of the sun with the simile- ‘like a dangled looking glass’. This sun
‘lights the balls that bounce, the dogs that bark’- plosive sounds used on this line to mirror
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller abibillingham123. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $6.37. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
