Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Philip Larkin’s poem “Annus Mirabilis” reflects on the cultural revolution of the 1960s, particularly focusing on the sexual liberation that began during this era. Larkin uses his characteristic wit and irony to examine the impact of these changes on society and on his personal experience.

The poem opens with a memorable declaration: “Sexual intercourse began / In nineteen sixty-three / (which was rather late for me).” This line immediately sets a humorous and self-deprecating tone, as Larkin contrasts the broader societal changes with his own delayed personal experience. The use of parentheses emphasizes his ironic detachment and the personal nature of his reflection.

Larkin then situates this shift within two iconic cultural events: “Between the end of the Chatterley ban / And the Beatles’ first LP.” The end of the ban on D.H. Lawrence’s novel *Lady Chatterley’s Lover* in 1960 marked a significant moment in the relaxation of censorship and the beginning of more open discussions about sexuality. The release of The Beatles’ first album in 1963 symbolizes the burgeoning influence of pop culture and youth rebellion. By placing the sexual revolution between these two events, Larkin underscores the transformative nature of the early 1960s.

In the second stanza, Larkin reflects on the nature of relationships before this cultural shift: “Up to then there’d only been / A sort of bargaining, / A wrangle for the ring.” This description portrays pre-1960s courtship as transactional and fraught with social expectations. The “wrangle for the ring” suggests a struggle for marriage, often seen as the ultimate goal of romantic relationships. The phrase “A shame that started at sixteen / And spread to everything” indicates the pervasive sense of guilt and societal pressure associated with sexual relationships prior to the sexual revolution.

The third stanza captures the sudden and widespread change in attitudes: “Then all at once the quarrel sank: / Everyone felt the same, / And every life became / A brilliant breaking of the bank, / A quite unlosable game.” Larkin describes this shift as a collective liberation from previous constraints. The “quarrel” refers to the societal conflicts and moral debates about sexuality, which seem to dissipate almost overnight. The metaphor of “breaking of the bank” and “a quite unlosable game” conveys a sense of exuberance and limitless possibility, as if society had hit the jackpot of personal freedom and pleasure.

In the final stanza, Larkin repeats the opening lines with a slight variation: “So life was never better than / In nineteen sixty-three / (Though just too late for me).” This repetition reinforces the idea that 1963 was a pivotal year for societal change, but also underscores Larkin’s personal sense of having missed out. The parentheses again highlight his ironic self-awareness, acknowledging the gap between societal progress and his own experience.

The concluding lines, “Between the end of the Chatterley ban / And the Beatles’ first LP,” serve to bookend the poem, reiterating the cultural landmarks that defined this period of change. By framing the poem within these cultural references, Larkin not only situates his personal reflection in a broader historical context but also emphasizes the significance of this era in shaping modern attitudes towards sexuality and personal freedom.

In summary, “Annus Mirabilis” by Philip Larkin is a witty and reflective poem that captures the essence of the 1960s sexual revolution. Through the lens of his personal experience, Larkin explores the transformative impact of this era on societal attitudes towards sex and relationships. The poem’s humor, irony, and cultural references create a vivid portrait of a time when old taboos were challenged and a new sense of freedom emerged.

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