Romantic Relationships - Larkin context Flashcards

(5 cards)

1
Q

Who was Ruth Bowman?

A
  • met Larkin in early 1944, during his time as a Librarian in Wellington
  • Larkin was 21, Ruth 16
  • became lovers in may 1945 and engaged in March 1948
  • split up before Larkin took up the position in Belfast
  • Bowman was Larkin’s first experience of love which may have influenced some of his poetry
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Who was Monica Jones?

A
  • met in 1947 at Uni college leicester
  • jones was a teacher in the english department
  • she was a racist and anti semite as was he
  • he was misogynistic and they both had drinking problems which lead to a difficult relationship
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Who was Larkin’s most significant relationship?

A
  • Monica jones
  • together for around 35 years
  • it wasn’t always a loving relationship with emotional conflict and Larkin having an array of affairs
  • Jones may have influenced Larkin’s most mature philosophical explorations of love
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Who was Maeve Brennan?

A
  • worked as a sub Librarian to Larkin at the uni of hull
  • had an on and off relationship from the mid 50’s
  • a semi secret as Larkin had never left Monica Jones nor fully committed to Brennan
  • his fear of commitment meant their relationship was eternally in a suspended state
  • Brennan may have inspired more gentle and intimate poetry
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Who was Betty Mackereth?

A
  • had a secret, intimate relationship that began in 1975, after Mackereth had been Larkin’s secretary for eighteen years
  • Mackereth influenced Larkin’s later poetry, becoming his secret muse
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly