Afternoons

Question 1

who is Afternoons written by?

Answer 1

• Philip Larkin

Question 2

poem context:

Answer 2

• written in post war England in the 1950s + 60s
• published in his collection “The Whitsun Weddings” in 1964

Question 3

Philip Larkin context:

Answer 3

• homeschooled until 8
• studied at Oxford
• never married but was involved with many women
• known for his cynical and melancholic attitude
• turned down Poet Laureate in 1984
• was known as someone who didn’t want the limelight
• he never married but was involved with many women
• was known as a cynical English man

Question 4

structure:

Answer 4

• mono-syllabic last line
• signifies how their own are more important than they are

Question 5

tone:

Answer 5

• first stanza- melancholic tone
• last stanza- tone of finality

Question 6

themes:

Answer 6

• nature

Question 7

“In the…”

Answer 7

• “In the hollows of afternoons”
• reinforces melancholic tone
• signifies loss and something not being filled
• suggesting women are incomplete without their men
• STANZA 1

Question 8

“An estate…”

Answer 8

• “An estateful of washing”
• hyperbole + imagery
• reflects the use of chores on women
• 2ND STANZA

Question 9

“Our Wedding…”

Answer 9

• “Our Wedding; lying”
• juxtaposing lying with wedding
• not something which should be juxtaposed
• 2ND STANZA

Question 10

“unripe..”

Answer 10

• “unripe acorns”
• imagery
• disappointment
• showing how life is planned out and regimented
• 3RD STANZA