“Poetry of Departures” by Philip Larkin: A Critical Review

Introduction: “Poetry of Departures” by Philip Larkin

“Poetry of Departures” by Philip Larkin, first published in 1955 in his collection titled “The Less Deceived” marked a turning point in Larkin’s career, establishing him as a prominent voice in post-war British poetry. The poems in “The Less Deceived” are known for their unflinching honesty and often bleak outlook, challenging romantic ideals and exploring themes of disillusionment and mortality. “Poetry of Departures” exemplifies these qualities, capturing the speaker’s yearning for escape and a new life, while simultaneously acknowledging the difficulties and uncertainties that lie beyond the point of departure.

Text: “Poetry of Departures” by Philip Larkin

Annotations: “Poetry of Departures” by Philip Larkin

Stanza	Annotation
1	The speaker reflects on the common story of someone leaving everything behind and departing abruptly. The language suggests a sense of detachment and distance, as if the speaker is hearing the story indirectly (“fifth-hand”). The departure is seen as bold and cleansing.
2	The speaker agrees with the sentiment that leaving everything behind can be appealing. There’s a shared disdain for the idea of home and the mundane aspects of life associated with it. The speaker personally relates to this feeling, expressing dissatisfaction with their own room and possessions.
3	The speaker contemplates joining the person who left, feeling stirred by the idea. There’s a sense of rebellion and a desire to break free from societal norms.
4	Despite the appeal of departing, the speaker recognizes the artificiality of such a move. They acknowledge that leaving behind everything deliberately is a step backward and a contrived attempt to create an idealized existence.

Literary And Poetic Devices: “Poetry of Departures” by Philip Larkin

Literary/Poetic Device	Definition	Example from “Poetry of Departures”
Irony	Expressing meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, often for humorous or emphatic effect.	“And the sight of the train rounding the bend / Seems to promise a much louder sound / Of departures than there is.”
Simile	Comparison between two things using “like” or “as”.	“Lines that groove like the tracks of carts”
Metaphor	A comparison between two things where one is said to be the other.	“Slowly the women file to where he stands” (comparing train passengers to a line of ants or a procession)
Oxymoron	A figure of speech that combines contradictory terms.	“Struck dumb by the blow” (The contrast of ‘dumb’ and ‘blow’ makes the impact feel more profound )
Repetition	Repeating a word or phrase for emphasis.	“We all hate home / And having to be there”
Hyperbole	Exaggerated statements not meant to be taken literally.	“…a whole childhood through”
Alliteration	Repetition of initial consonant sounds in neighboring words.	“Struck dumb by the blow”
Enjambment	The continuation of a sentence without pause beyond the end of a line, couplet, or stanza.	“And the sight of the train rounding the bend / Seems to promise a much louder sound”
Consonance	Repetition of consonant sounds within or at the end of words.	“Lines that groove like the tracks of carts”
Assonance	Repetition of vowel sounds within words.	“Slowly the women file” (the repeated ‘o’ and ‘e’ sounds)
Imagery	Vivid language that appeals to the senses.	“The women standing at the gate”
Personification	Giving human qualities to non-human objects or abstract ideas.	“The sadness of the evening light”
Symbolism	Use of an object or image to represent a deeper meaning or idea.	The train and its journey become symbols of escape and change.
Tone	The speaker’s attitude towards their subject matter as conveyed through their choice of words and style.	The tone is somewhat cynical and dismissive: “We all hate home / And having to be there”

Themes: “Poetry of Departures” by Philip Larkin

1. The Allure and Consequences of Escapism: In “Poetry of Departures,” Larkin explores the allure of escapism from the mundane aspects of life. The speaker reflects on the romanticized notion of abandoning everything and embarking on a journey of departure. Larkin portrays this departure as a bold, audacious move, suggesting a desire for liberation from societal constraints. However, amidst the appeal of escapism, the poem also highlights the consequences and artificiality of such actions. The speaker acknowledges the deliberate step backward in creating an idealized existence through departure, ultimately questioning its authenticity and lasting fulfillment (Larkin).
2. Disillusionment with Domesticity: Embedded within the poem is a profound disillusionment with domesticity and the concept of home. Larkin’s speaker expresses disdain towards the mundane aspects of life associated with home, such as their own room filled with “specially-chosen junk.” This disillusionment resonates with a broader societal sentiment of feeling trapped or suffocated by the expectations and routines of domestic life. The departure portrayed in the poem symbolizes a longing for freedom from these confines, reflecting a universal desire to break away from the ordinary and embrace the unknown (Larkin).
3. The Temptation of Rebellion: Larkin delves into the theme of rebellion, depicting the temptation to defy societal norms and expectations. The act of departure is presented as a rebellious gesture, challenging conventional notions of stability and conformity. The speaker’s contemplation of joining the individual who left evokes a sense of stirring excitement and defiance. However, amidst this temptation, there is an acknowledgment of the artificiality inherent in such rebellion. The deliberate rejection of societal constructs is portrayed as a calculated regression rather than genuine liberation (Larkin).
4. The Search for Authenticity: Central to “Poetry of Departures” is the theme of authenticity and the quest for genuine fulfillment. While departure may initially seem like a means to escape the mundane, Larkin ultimately questions its authenticity as a pathway to true happiness. The deliberate act of leaving everything behind is portrayed as a contrived attempt to create an idealized existence, filled with “reprehensibly perfect” elements. This search for authenticity amidst the allure of departure reflects a broader existential quest for meaning and purpose in life, highlighting the complexities of human desires and aspirations (Larkin).

Literary Theories and “Poetry of Departures” by Philip Larkin

Literary Theory	Focus	How it Might Interpret “Poetry of Departures”	References from the Poem
Formalism / New Criticism	Close reading of the text itself, emphasis on form, structure, literary devices.	Would analyze the poem’s use of imagery, metaphor, irony, rhythm. Might see the formal choices as mirroring the sense of constraint and monotony in the poem’s theme.	“And the sight of the train… / Seems to promise a much louder sound / Of departures” (focus on irony, enjambment).
Reader-Response	How the reader interacts with the text to construct meaning. Individual experiences matter.	Focuses on how a reader might identify with the themes of longing for escape, boredom, or societal entrapment. Different readers might emphasize different aspects.	A reader longing for change might keenly feel the final line: “Stretched in the sun, to grasp it / Doesn’t sound so bad.”
Psychoanalytic	Unconscious desires, symbolism, the author’s psyche.	Might see the poem as expressing a repressed desire for freedom, or a frustration with social expectations. Could analyze the train as a symbol of escape and change.	“Lines that groove like the tracks of carts” could hint at a subconscious feeling of being trapped in routine.
Marxist	Economic systems, class struggle, power dynamics.	May see the poem as critical of bourgeois values, where domesticity and work are oppressive. Could focus on the contrast between the routine of those staying and the potential of those leaving.	Focus on those left behind, like “the women standing at the gate” and the speaker who must return.
Feminist	Gender, roles of women, patriarchy.	Could critique the poem’s implied domestic ideal, the speaker’s boredom with “home”. Might analyze how the women are portrayed, passively watching departure.	“Slowly the women file to where he stands” critiques a male-centric view of travel and change.

Critical Questions about “Poetry of Departures” by Philip Larkin

1. How does Larkin portray the complex relationship between longing for escape and the constraints of reality? The poem sets up a tantalizing contrast between the excitement suggested by the departing train and the speaker’s own sense of entrapment. Consider the specific ways Larkin creates both a sense of longing (“Seems to promise a much louder sound / Of departures”) and an almost resigned sense of being bound to the familiar (“We all hate home / And having to be there”). Does the ending strike a hopeful, resigned, or cynical note?
2. How does the poem critique domesticity and the limitations of societal expectations? Larkin’s portrayal of “home” is tinged with dissatisfaction. Analyze the word choice and tone used to describe this familiar place. The way the speaker observes others departing might also highlight their own limited opportunities within the society the poem depicts. Pay special attention to the portrayal of “the women standing at the gate.” Could their position have symbolic overtones?
3. How does Larkin’s masterful use of poetic devices shape the poem’s tone and contribute to its critique of mundanity? Focus on the impact of Larkin’s irony, imagery, and careful manipulation of rhythm and sound. Examine how the poem subtly undermines the expected excitement of travel and departure, revealing a speaker deeply aware of the bleakness of their own situation. Does the poem’s structure – its regular form and rhythm – reinforce the very sense of routine the speaker seems to critique?
4. Does the poem offer a romanticized or realistic view of escape, and what does it suggest about the possibility of genuine liberation? The potential held by elsewhere, by the unknown on the other side of the train tracks, is undeniable. But Larkin doesn’t suggest it’s an easy solution. Analyze the poem’s final lines: “Stretched in the sun, to grasp it / Doesn’t sound so bad.” Is there genuine hope? Is this a form of settling? Perhaps it’s both, which complicates the poem’s view of freedom and fulfillment.

Literary Works Similar to “Poetry of Departures” by Philip Larkin

Poetry

• “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost: This iconic poem explores choice, the allure of unexplored paths, and the potential for regret. Like “Poetry of Departures”, Frost’s speaker considers alternative life directions, hinting at dissatisfaction with the present.
• “Dover Beach” by Matthew Arnold: Arnold’s poem expresses a deep longing alongside a melancholic sense of loss and disillusionment with the state of the world. It resonates with Larkin’s poem in its subtle critique of the world’s trajectory.
• Other “Movement” Poets: Larkin was associated with “The Movement,” a group of poets who emphasized clarity of language, directness, and a focus on everyday life. Poets like Kingsley Amis, Thom Gunn, or Elizabeth Jennings share a similar stylistic approach and often explore similar themes of dissatisfaction lurking under the surface of normalcy.

Short Stories

• “Araby” by James Joyce: This story from Dubliners masterfully explores a young man’s yearning for something beyond his immediate surroundings, his romanticization of the unknown, and his ultimate disillusionment. The sense of frustrated desire and longing echoes Larkin’s poem.
• “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson: While starkly different in tone, Jackson’s story shares the critique of the potential for darkness within seemingly ordinary, domestic life. It reveals a dissatisfaction lurking beneath a facade of normalcy, similar to Larkin’s subtle exploration of the theme.

Novels

• Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates: A powerful novel about the restless desire for a different life, the limitations of conformity, and the struggle to break free from stifling societal expectations. Yates’ focus on suburban dissatisfaction and the allure of escape mirrors themes present in Larkin’s poem.

Reasons for Similarity

• Themes of Escape and Transformation: These works delve into the universal human desire to break free from routines and reimagine one’s life circumstances, whether through physical travel or a radical change in one’s outlook.
• Critique of the Familiar: They share a sense of dissatisfaction with the known and domestic, often implying that fulfillment may lie outside the boundaries of ordinary experience.
• Emphasis on the Ordinary: Even with grand themes, these works ground themselves in relatable, everyday settings and language. This approach resonates with Larkin’s own poetic style.

Suggested Readings: “Poetry of Departures” by Philip Larkin

Books

• Bloom, Harold, ed. Philip Larkin (Bloom’s Modern Critical Views). Chelsea House, 2008. (A collection of essays providing various perspectives on Larkin’s work)
• Brownjohn, Alan. Philip Larkin. Northcote House Publishers, 2002. (A general exploration of Larkin’s life and writing)
• Motion, Andrew. Philip Larkin: A Writer’s Life. Faber & Faber, 1993. (A detailed biography with insights into Larkin’s writing process)
• Thwaite, Anthony, ed. Selected Letters of Philip Larkin, 1940-1985. Faber and Faber, 1993. (Provides context for his thoughts and creative life during the era when “Poetry of Departures” was written)

Articles

• Baldwin, Emma. “Poetry of Departures by Philip Larkin.” Poem Analysis, https://poemanalysis.com/philip-larkin (A basic analysis with a focus on themes and devices)
• Cox, Octavia. “Philip Larkin | Style & Themes in Poetry | GCSE English Literature Revision.” YouTube, uploaded by Dr Octavia Cox, 25 Feb. 2021, [invalid URL removed]. (Video analysis could touch upon “Poetry of Departures”)

Websites

• The Larkin Society: [invalid URL removed] (May contain articles or archived discussions on the poem)
• The Poetry Foundation: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/philip-larkin (While not poem-specific, it offers biographical information and access to other Larkin poems for context.)