Romantic Relationships - Larkin context

Question 1

Who was Ruth Bowman?

Answer 1

• 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

Question 2

Who was Monica Jones?

Answer 2

• 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

Question 3

Who was Larkin’s most significant relationship?

Answer 3

• 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

Question 4

Who was Maeve Brennan?

Answer 4

• 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

Question 5

Who was Betty Mackereth?

Answer 5

• 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