Overview – The poem ‘Nothing to be said’ is focused around the inevitable approach
that everyone has towards death. It explores the slow and steady approach and how
some, including Larkin see it as a prolonged journey towards death whilst being
watched over by it.
Themes – Death, loss, lack of hope.
Stanza 1
For nations vague as weed,
For nomads among stones,
Small-statured cross-faced tribes
And cobble-close families
In mill-towns on dark mornings
Life is slow dying.
‘Nations vague as weed’ -
The extreme comparison of a ‘nation’ which is seen as huge and impressive to a
human, to it suddenly being seen as something ‘vague’ and not impressive highlights
how death is presented as the ‘bigger force’ who watches and controls everyone,
similarly to how humans look at ants, how something which is bigger than humanity
see’s smaller workings as insignificant.
The comparison of a human to weed in this example, reveals a depressing thought
that when looked at from afar we are insignificant and all heading for the same
ending, which by Larkin is death.
Highlight the literal effects of marijuana/weed itself and the vagueness it leaves
people after taking it about the world around us, or further it could also reflect the
vague ideas surrounding death itself.
‘Nations’, ‘nomads’, ‘tribes’ and ‘families.’ -
Larkin focuses on a sense of community, through the use of using the plural form of
the words. This creates a feeling of unity, that everyone is connected to each other
, as we are all going to die eventually. Even, the straying ‘nomads’ are connected in a
community as we all are humans and will all die.
‘Cobble-close families’ -
This phrase adds to the feeling of community and togetherness. It presents imagery
of families all being connected to each other all due to the same journey towards
death which everyone is going to experience. The focus on lower class people, adds
to this idea, showing no matter where we live, what we do or how much money we
have isn’t going to help anyone escape death.
‘Small-statured’ and ‘cobble-close’ -
The alliteration makes the poem feel less threatening and more cheerful. This could
convey Larkin’s idea that death shouldn’t be seen as scary because it’s going to
happen to everyone no matter who you are.
‘Dark mornings’ -
The description of the atmosphere, adds to the depressing, solemn tone of the
poem.
‘Life is slowly dying’ -
The enjambment of this phrase, makes it seem unexpected. This phrase reflects
Larkin’s own thoughts towards death, which is that we are all dying slowly over the
course of our lives and there is nothing to be said to change it.
Stanza 2
So are their separate ways
Of building, benediction,
Measuring love and money
Ways of slowly dying.
The day spent hunting pig
Or holding a garden-party,
The second stanza focuses on the ways that humanity decides to spend their time
on the journey towards death in their ‘separate ways’. Larkin’s thoughts are
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