A Practical Criticism on 'Here' by Phillip Larkin
‘Here’ was published in 1964 as part of a collection of poems
collectively titled ‘The Whitsun Weddings’. It explores the feelings
and judgements towards a location and the falsity of the modern
industrial culture as it consumes traditional life. The poem describes
the mixed judgements of the narrator as he passes through the town on
a train journey, as well as concomitantly examining the features of a
emblematic reversed journey from ‘industrial’ restraints to ‘unfenced
existence’
The first stanza opens with the word ‘swerving’ which is repeated
twice more in the same verse, suggesting that the train is trying to
avoid something, such as the irrevocable destruction of the
surrounding nature. This theory is supported by the description of the
‘thin and thistled’ fields; they are no longer flourishing as their
well-being is not the priority. This reflects the condition of society
as elderly people are often neglected due to the increasing
concentration on modernism.
The first line describes the effect that the industrial revolution has
had on society with its ‘rich industrial shadows’. The adjective
‘rich’ offers images of wealth and prosperity which would be a result
of the industrial advancement of the town. However this positivism is
withdrawn with the noun ‘shadows’ placed in juxtaposition, which
pragmatically suggests that the light is being blocked out and
therefore, personified as a living organism, the town cannot grow and
flourish.
The effect of nature on life is mirrored in the movement of the
‘widening river’s slow presence’. The river gives an impression of
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...t is furthered with the derogatory description of their
appearance ‘Cheap suits…sharp shoes’. The mention of ‘red
kitchen-ware’ shows the cultural context of the poem as plastic
brightly coloured equipment was popular at the time the poem was
published.
However he seems to understand that the people are merely a by-product
of their surroundings. He understands that the people come from ‘raw
estates’; this suggests that they have the potential for success but
lack the means.
In conclusion the poem ‘Here’ is about the initial judgements which
are immediately made when the narrator views the town, and the gradual
acknowledgement of the possibilities which lie underneath the
overriding hardship. Furthermore there is also a message of the
development of the world from the traditional ways to new modern
concepts.
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