Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"The Whitsun Weddings" by Philip Larkin published in 1964 is a long poem that describes a train journey made by the speaker on Whitsun weekend. The poem consists of 8 stanzas, each describing a different stop along the journey. At each stop, the speaker observes a wedding party boarding the train, and reflects on the nature of marriage and the passing of time. The poem ends with the train reaching its final destination, and the speaker feeling a sense of melancholy as he reflects on the weddings and the passage of time.

Poetic Elements:

Theme: The central themes of the poem are marriage, the passing of time, and the changing nature of society.

Imagery: The poem contains vivid descriptions of the wedding parties, the train journey, and the changing landscape outside the window.

Tone: The tone of the poem is reflective and melancholy, as the speaker observes the weddings and reflects on the passage of time.

Diction: The language used in the poem is simple and direct, with few complex words or phrases. This helps to convey the immediacy and intimacy of the speaker's observations.

Figurative Language: The poem contains several examples of figurative language, such as the use of metaphor to describe the train as "a power-station" and the weddings as "flowers / Strewn on the grass".

Symbolism: The weddings and the train journey are powerful symbols of the passage of time and the changing nature of society.

Structure: The poem is structured into 8 stanzas, each describing a different stop along the train journey. This creates a sense of progression and builds tension.

Sound: The poem has a musical quality, with the use of rhyme and rhythm creating a sense of harmony and balance.

Point of view: The poem is written from the perspective of the speaker, who is observing the weddings and reflecting on the passage of time.

Rhyme: The poem is written in a strict rhyme scheme of ABABCDCEFEFG, with each stanza consisting of ten lines.

Form: is written in free verse. The lines are of varying lengths and the poem is organized into nine stanzas, each with a different number of lines.

*NOTE: Whitsun is a Christian holiday that is celebrated on the seventh Sunday after Easter. It is also known as Pentecost Sunday, and commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and other followers of Jesus Christ, as described in the New Testament book of Acts. In some parts of the world, it is also associated with the start of the summer season and is a time for festivals and celebrations.

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