Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Philip Larkin's "This Be The Verse" is a striking and provocative poem that delves into the themes of familial dysfunction and the perpetuation of misery across generations. Through its blunt language and bleak outlook, the poem offers a powerful critique of the impact parents have on their children and suggests a radical solution to break the cycle of inherited suffering.

The poem opens with a stark and memorable declaration: "They fuck you up, your mum and dad. / They may not mean to, but they do." This candid and colloquial phrasing immediately grabs the reader's attention, setting the tone for the rest of the poem. Larkin's use of direct, unfiltered language conveys a sense of frustration and inevitability, emphasizing that parental influence, whether intentional or not, inevitably leaves its mark.

Larkin continues, "They fill you with the faults they had / And add some extra, just for you." These lines underscore the idea that parents transmit their own flaws and shortcomings to their children, who then acquire additional faults unique to their individual circumstances. The use of "fill" suggests an almost automatic and unavoidable process, reinforcing the notion that this transfer of faults is an inherent aspect of familial relationships.

The second stanza broadens the scope of the critique, acknowledging that parents themselves are products of their upbringing: "But they were fucked up in their turn / By fools in old-style hats and coats." This generational perspective highlights the cyclical nature of dysfunction, suggesting that each generation inherits and perpetuates the flaws of the previous one. The description of past generations as "fools in old-style hats and coats" evokes a sense of outdated and misguided authority figures, who oscillated between being overly sentimental ("soppy-stern") and antagonistic ("half at one another’s throats").

The poem's third stanza presents a stark and pessimistic view of human existence: "Man hands on misery to man. / It deepens like a coastal shelf." This metaphor likens the transmission of misery to the gradual but inexorable deepening of a coastal shelf, suggesting that the accumulation of suffering is both slow and inevitable. The use of "hands on" implies a deliberate passing of this burden from one generation to the next, further emphasizing the inescapable nature of inherited misery.

Larkin concludes with a radical and somewhat nihilistic piece of advice: "Get out as early as you can, / And don’t have any kids yourself." This final couplet suggests that the only way to escape the cycle of misery is to avoid perpetuating it by not having children. The imperative "Get out as early as you can" implies a sense of urgency, as if to suggest that the sooner one escapes from the influence of family, the better. The recommendation to avoid parenthood entirely serves as a bleak commentary on the seemingly unbreakable chain of generational dysfunction.

 The ABAB rhyme scheme in "This Be The Verse" enhances the poem's impact by providing rhythmic flow, creating contrast with the content, emphasizing key points, adding an ironic tone, and ensuring structural clarity. Larkin's use of a simple and regular rhyme pattern effectively underscores the poem's themes of generational dysfunction and inherited misery, making his critique all the more powerful and memorable.

"This Be The Verse" is a powerful and uncompromising exploration of the darker aspects of familial relationships. Through its candid language and stark imagery, Larkin articulates a deeply pessimistic view of human existence, where the transmission of flaws and suffering is an inevitable part of life. The poem challenges readers to confront the impact of their own upbringing and consider the broader implications of continuing the cycle of familial dysfunction. Larkin's work remains a compelling and thought-provoking examination of the complexities of parenthood and the enduring legacy of inherited misery.

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