Philip Larkin : a critical study of the poetry in relation to relevant conventions and traditions of twentieth-century writing

Abstract

My approach in this thesis has been thematic rather than chronological: I attempt to treat Larkin's poetry in detail and as representatively as possible, but the discussion takes place in relation to dominant figures and movements in the poetic practice of the twentieth century. I have chosen to concentrate on Larkin's mature poetry, for the break with the method of The North Ship is so unusually distinct that the inclusion of this earlier volume would, for my purposes, be distracting rather than informative. Within the three later volumes I do see some signs of development though no major shift of emphasis.