This research aims to rework upon certain established and fundamental aspects of Larkin’s poetry, which not only define but also determine his elusive philosophical stance. Larkin appears to have had a close affinity with the distinguished German philosopher, Arthur Schopenhauer, the propounder of great systems of thought. Both Larkin and Schopenhauer seems to have been disillusioned by the frugal rewards of life and endeavoured to explore its subtleties.
Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER 2 THE MOVEMENT RECALLED: A MYSTERIOUS PHENOMENON
CHAPTER 3 SELF OR NO SELF
CHAPTER 4 THE SOCIAL ANIMAL: A SCRUTINY OF PHILIP LARKIN’S “WANTS”
CHAPTER 5 CONCLUSION: THE PHILISTINE QUESTION
Objectives and Topics
This research aims to critically examine fundamental aspects of Philip Larkin’s poetry by establishing a philosophical connection between his literary stance and the work of Arthur Schopenhauer. It explores how Larkin’s personal life, his dedication to his craft, and his specific treatment of themes such as sociability, selfishness, and solitude reflect a deeper, more sophisticated understanding of the human condition and the role of the artist.
- Analysis of Larkin’s elusive philosophical stance and his affinity with Schopenhauer.
- Examination of the "Movement" in 1950s English poetry and Larkin’s controversial association with it.
- In-depth investigation of the dichotomy between "the self" and "the non-self" in Larkin’s work.
- Critique of the label "philistine" often applied to Larkin and the assertion of his artistic integrity.
- Exploration of Larkin’s approach to human mortality, boredom, and the "toad work" of daily existence.
Excerpt from the Book
SELF OR NO SELF
Larkin’s poems offer a distinctive insight between the “self” and the “non-self” aspects of one’s personality. This normally takes the form of a functional debate or an authoritative argument revealing the handicaps of both the dimensions and the apparent improbability of any equilibrium. Larkin doesn’t sentimentalise upon these aspects, he rather keeps a respectable distance while objectively delving on their obscurities. He never makes the mistake of merging “the real with the ideal” as some would love to believe, rather he circumscribes the frailties of nursing such a fractured belief. He vouches to be “the less deceived”. This, however, does not imply that he is immune from the temptations offered by both the sides, i.e., the selfish side and the selfless side. But instead of exorcizing his inner demons, I would like to contend that Larkin is intrigued by the whole human condition that attempts to look beyond the carefully guarded soap bubble into a world of genuine suffering.
Terry Whalen observes a close affinity between Larkin and Dr. Johnson in terms of realizing the human predicament. He notes: “While he (Larkin) has no illusions about the comforts of the ‘less deceived’ personality, its debilitating effects on one’s impulse to celebration and wonder- many of his poems explore the pains of that habit of mind which is always reaching, as Johnson has put it, into ‘boundless futurity’. Both Johnson and Larkin give weight and experiential texture to the idea that there is boredom at the core of existence, and that it stimulates a daily spiritual condition in which the mind ‘dances from scene to scene, unites all pleasures in all combinations, and riots in delights which nature and fortune, with all their bounty cannot bestow’. This habit of dreaming into the future, encouraged further by popular culture in the present day, is the central target of Larkin’s more analytical pessimistic poems” (Whalen, 33).
Summary of Chapters
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION: This chapter introduces Philip Larkin’s position in British literature and outlines the research objective to analyze his work through the lens of Arthur Schopenhauer’s philosophy.
CHAPTER 2 THE MOVEMENT RECALLED: A MYSTERIOUS PHENOMENON: This chapter provides a historical examination of "The Movement," its emergence in the 1950s, and the challenges of defining this literary grouping.
CHAPTER 3 SELF OR NO SELF: This chapter examines the thematic tension between "self" and "non-self" in Larkin’s poetry, focusing on his pragmatic and realistic view of the human condition.
CHAPTER 4 THE SOCIAL ANIMAL: A SCRUTINY OF PHILIP LARKIN’S “WANTS”: This chapter analyzes the deep-seated human craving for solitude and oblivion, contrasting it with social expectations and the "social animal" nature of man.
CHAPTER 5 CONCLUSION: THE PHILISTINE QUESTION: This chapter critically challenges the categorization of Philip Larkin as a "philistine" and reaffirms his status as a dedicated artist.
Keywords
Philip Larkin, Arthur Schopenhauer, The Movement, British literature, selflessness, selfishness, solitude, philistine, existentialism, human condition, realism, poetry analysis, social animal, literary criticism, artistic integrity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this academic work?
The book fundamentally explores the philosophical depths of Philip Larkin's poetry, specifically drawing parallels between his insights into the human condition and the philosophical systems of Arthur Schopenhauer.
What are the core thematic areas discussed in this study?
Key areas include the debate between selfishness and selflessness, the longing for solitude, the reality of human suffering, and the complex relationship between the artist and society.
What is the central research question guiding this investigation?
The research seeks to determine Larkin’s true philosophical stance, moving beyond superficial labels to understand his poetry as a rigorous, deliberate, and sophisticated artistic endeavor.
Which scientific or critical methodology is employed?
The author employs a humanistic and analytical approach, utilizing comparative literary criticism to place Larkin’s work in dialogue with the philosophies of Schopenhauer, as well as the observations of other notable critics.
What does the main body of the book cover?
The body covers a critical history of "The Movement," detailed readings of specific poems to highlight existential themes, and a vigorous defense of Larkin’s artistic reputation against narrow critical classifications.
Which keywords best characterize this research?
Core keywords include Philip Larkin, Arthur Schopenhauer, existentialism, The Movement, artistic integrity, and the interplay between the "self" and societal expectations.
How does the author address the common label of "philistine" applied to Larkin?
The author argues that labeling Larkin a "philistine" is a gross error that fails to recognize the deliberate complexity and deep intellectual commitment present in his work, viewing the label as a mere critical construction rather than an accurate reflection of the poet.
What conclusion does the study reach regarding Larkin's "toad work"?
The study concludes that Larkin’s work as a librarian (the "toad work") and his domestic reality were not inhibitors, but rather essential elements that grounded his poetry in the reality of human suffering and allowed him to maintain a realistic, objective perspective as an artist.
- Quote paper
- Puja Chakraberty (Author), 2014, Philip Larkin. Philosophical Leanings, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/274547
