First Sight - Larkin Flashcards

(7 cards)

1
Q

Summary - First Sight

A
  • describes newborn lambs experiencing the world for the first time
  • written in March 1956 - winter was disappearing
  • lambs symbolise youth and immunity
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Key themes - First Sight

A
  • innocence and experience
  • cycle of life
  • nature’s indifference
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Structure and tone - First Sight

A
  • two 7 line stanzas - regular rhytm
  • tender, reflective yet tragic tone
  • the tone shifts from wonder to melancholy as we see what the lambs innocence conceals
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Context - First Sight

A
  • Larkin often explores birth, time and mortality through natural imagery
  • shows how life begins unaware of it’s own end
  • the movements ideals - precision, simplicity, realism
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Key quote - First Sight - ‘ lambs that learn to walk in snow’

A
  • the softness of snow combines innocence and fragility
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Key quote - First Sight - ‘her fleeces… surprise’

A
  • something else that is always there and waiting
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Strong comparisons with -First Sight

A

Before you were mine - Duffy
Moments of grace - Duffy
MCMXIV - Larkin

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly