"Wants" by Philip Larkin

"Wants" by Philip Larkin is a powerful meditation on the tension between individual desires and societal expectations.

Philip Larkin (1922–1985) was a prominent British poet and librarian, often associated with the Movement poets of the 1950s, a group characterised by their clear, formal structures and introspective themes. Born in Coventry, England, Larkin showed an early interest in literature. He attended Oxford University, where he befriended novelists Kingsley Amis and John Wain, with whom he shared a sceptical outlook on life. Larkin's poems often grapple with themes of solitude, love, and the inexorable passage of time, often depicted through the lens of his own experiences and observations.

Although Larkin’s output was relatively modest, his poems are celebrated for their precision, depth of feeling, and starkness. He declined the position of Britain’s Poet Laureate in 1984, a testament to his preference for a life away from the limelight. Besides poetry, Larkin also wrote two novels and numerous essays on jazz, a music form he loved. His legacy is often tinged with controversy due to some personal views, but his poetic contribution remains indisputable, marking him as one of the most significant poets of the 20th century.

Contextual Background of the Poem

"Wants" is one of Larkin’s shorter and more concise poems, yet it speaks volumes about the human condition. It was written during a period when Larkin was deeply contemplative about personal choices, missed opportunities, and the inherent emptiness of certain societal pursuits. During this phase, many of Larkin's poems exhibited a sense of detachment and a questioning of conventional societal norms. "Wants" captures the essence of these themes, offering an exploration of human desires and the paradox of choice.

The 1960s and 1970s, the likely period of this poem's genesis, were marked by significant societal shifts. There was a noticeable tension between older, conservative values and the burgeoning counterculture. Larkin, in many ways, stands between these worlds, expressing both a cynicism about traditional life and a scepticism about the promises of new cultural movements.

Explanation

Beyond all this, the wish to be alone: However the sky grows dark with invitation-cards However we follow the printed directions of sex However the family is photographed under the flag-staff – Beyond all this, the wish to be alone.

Beneath it all, the desire for oblivion runs: Despite the artful tensions of the calendar, The life insurance, the tabled fertility rites, The costly aversion of the eyes away from death – Beneath it all, the desire for oblivion runs.

The poem is compact yet profound, consisting of two quatrains that explore the dichotomies of societal expectation versus personal desire and life versus the inevitability of death.

In the opening line, "Beyond all this, the wish to be alone," Larkin introduces a foundational human desire: solitude. The phrase "Beyond all this" refers to the societal norms and expectations, suggesting a priority or preference for solitude over societal rituals and conventions.

The subsequent lines elucidate what "all this" comprises. The "sky grows dark with invitation-cards" is a powerful metaphor for the overwhelming nature of societal obligations. This could encompass everything from wedding invitations to parties, symbolising societal pressures to socialise and be part of the community.

"However we follow the printed directions of sex" can be seen as a critique of how society dictates personal relationships and intimate behaviours, perhaps alluding to guidebooks, societal norms, or even moral dictates about sexuality. Larkin seems to suggest that even such intimate acts aren't immune from societal prescriptions.

The reference to a family being "photographed under the flag-staff" calls to mind images of traditional family photos or holiday gatherings, indicative of societal conventions and the pressure to conform to an idealised image of familial happiness.

The repetition of the opening line, "Beyond all this, the wish to be alone," reinforces the poem's central theme of solitude as a fundamental human desire. It reiterates the idea that despite societal pressures, there remains an underlying wish to escape, to find solitude, and perhaps to discover one's true self.

The second stanza shifts its focus slightly. Starting with "Beneath it all, the desire for oblivion runs," Larkin delves into an even deeper human longing – the desire for oblivion or the cessation of existence. This can be interpreted as a meditation on the inevitable reality of death or perhaps a more existential desire to escape the burdens of existence.

The mention of "the artful tensions of the calendar" is evocative of the many appointments, commitments, and obligations that fill modern life, creating stress and tension. The calendar, a symbol of time's progression, also reminds readers of life's transience.

"The life insurance" and "tabled fertility rites" depict society's attempts to mitigate the uncertainties of life. While life insurance offers a financial shield against the unpredictable nature of death, fertility rites, possibly a reference to both ancient and modern practises, attempt to ensure continuity of life. Both of these allusions highlight humanity's attempts to negotiate with or defy death.

The "costly aversion of the eyes away from death" is particularly poignant. Larkin suggests that society goes to great lengths, at significant 'cost', to avoid confronting the reality of death. This could be literal, in terms of monetary expenditure, or more metaphorically, referring to the emotional and psychological toll of denying the inevitable.

The final line echoes the second stanza's opening, reinforcing the persistent human desire for oblivion. It suggests that despite all efforts, beneath the veneer of society and the distractions of life, there is an inescapable awareness of mortality and perhaps a wish to find solace in the idea of oblivion.

Analysis of Important Themes

• Solitude vs. Societal Expectations: The poem juxtaposes the human desire for solitude against the weight of societal expectations. Larkin posits that even amid the clamour of social obligations and the cacophony of life, there lies an innate wish to be alone, to find peace in solitude, and perhaps to introspect.

• Mortality and Oblivion: The second stanza shifts from the theme of solitude to a deeper, more existential theme: the human recognition of mortality and the desire for oblivion. It showcases humanity's consistent efforts to defy, delay, or deny death while also acknowledging the undercurrent of awareness of life's impermanence.

• Societal Rituals and Conventions: Throughout the poem, Larkin mentions various societal rituals and conventions, such as invitation cards, family photographs, and fertility rites. These serve as symbols of society's structured attempts to bring order, meaning, and continuity to life, even as individuals might long for solitude or face the reality of mortality.

• Inevitability: Both stanzas conclude with lines that reiterate the primary desires highlighted - solitude and oblivion. These refrains emphasise the inevitability of these desires, suggesting that no matter how much society might structure or dictate life, certain human longings remain inescapable.

Literary Devices

• Metaphor: Larkin uses metaphors like "the sky grows dark with invitation-cards" to depict the overwhelming nature of societal obligations.

• Repetition: The refrains "Beyond all this, the wish to be alone" and "Beneath it all, the desire for oblivion runs" are repeated, emphasising the poem's primary themes.

• Allusion: The poem alludes to various societal norms and rituals, such as "printed directions of sex" and "tabled fertility rites," highlighting societal attempts to structure and give meaning to life.

• Contrast: Larkin effectively contrasts deep-seated human desires (solitude and oblivion) with the superficial trappings of societal norms and rituals.

Conclusion

"Wants" by Philip Larkin is a powerful meditation on the tension between individual desires and societal expectations. With a remarkable economy of words, Larkin captures the essence of human longings for solitude and oblivion. Through a meticulous observation of societal norms and rituals, the poem paints a vivid picture of the structures and conventions that bind human lives. Yet, beneath these constructs, Larkin identifies two inescapable desires that persistently run through the human psyche.

The poem serves as a reminder of the transient nature of existence, urging readers to reflect on their own desires and the societal constructs they subscribe to. Larkin’s mastery lies in his ability to delve deep into the human psyche, unearthing universal truths with precision and poignancy. "Wants" stands as a testament to his insightful observations and his unparalleled ability to capture the intricacies of the human condition.

Written by Pooran Chandra