MCMXIV (1964)
Those long uneven lines
Standing as patiently
As if they were stretched outside
The Oval or Villa Park,
The crowns of hats, the sun
On moustached archaic faces
Grinning as if it were all
An August Bank Holiday lark;And the shut shops, the bleached
Established names on the sunblinds,
The farthings and sovereigns,
And dark-clothed children at play
Called after kings and queens,
The tin advertisements
For cocoa and twist, and the pubs
Wide open all day;And the countryside not caring:
The place-names all hazed over
With flowering grasses, and fields
Shadowing Domesday lines
Under wheat’s restless silence;
The differently-dressed servants
With tiny rooms in huge houses,
The dust behind limousines;Never such innocence,
Never before or since,
As changed itself to past
Without a word – the men
Leaving the gardens tidy,
The thousands of marriages,
Lasting a little while longer:
Never such innocence again.
Summary of MCMXIV (1964)
- A Snapshot of a Vanishing World: “MCMXIV,” published in Larkin’s The Whitsun Weddings, isn’t a direct account of World War I, but rather a poignant depiction of England before the immense changes wrought by it. The poem captures a specific moment in time, 1914 and presents a world on the cusp of irrevocable alteration. Its power lies in what isn’t said directly, the undercurrent of impending loss that permeates the seemingly idyllic scenes.
- Urban and Rural Contrasts: Larkin skillfully juxtaposes the bustling urban landscape with the tranquil countryside. He observes the long queues of men volunteering or perhaps simply lining up for war, contrasting this with the seemingly indifferent beauty of the rural environment. This contrast highlights the disparate ways in which different segments of society were poised to experience the conflict.
- Themes of Innocence and Loss: The central theme revolves around a lost innocence, a pre‑war England characterized by stability and a sense of order. The poem suggests that this innocence was naive, perhaps even unaware of the coming storm, but its passing is nonetheless deeply felt. The repeated phrase “Never such innocence again” serves as a lament for a world that could never be recovered.
Analysis of Literary Devices Used in MCMXIV (1964)
Larkin masterfully employs a range of literary devices to create a textured and evocative portrayal of pre‑war England. These techniques contribute to the poem’s emotional resonance and thematic depth.
- Allusion: The poem is rich in subtle allusions. References to “The Oval or Villa Park” instantly ground the scene in a recognizable, distinctly English context, spaces of leisure and national pastime, which are starkly contrasted with the impending seriousness of war. The allusion to “Domesday lines” subtly connects the present to England’s historical record, suggesting a parallel between past upheavals and the current, impending crisis.
- Imagery: Larkin’s use of visual imagery is striking. Lines like “The crowns of hats, the sun / On moustached archaic faces” create a vivid picture of a bygone era. The imagery isn’t merely descriptive; it’s suggestive. The “moustached archaic faces” hint at a society clinging to tradition, even as it faces an uncertain future.
- Symbolism: The poem’s symbols are understated but powerful. The “long uneven lines” of men queuing aren’t simply a physical representation of recruitment; they symbolize the relentless march toward conflict, a line that leads inevitably to loss. The “shut shops” and “bleached names on the sunblinds” represent the disruption of normalcy, the slow erosion of everyday life.
- Personification: While subtle, there is an element of personification in the way Larkin describes the countryside as “not caring.” This attribution of human indifference to nature emphasizes the disconnect between the idyllic rural landscape and the impending human tragedy.
- Assonance and Consonance: Larkin’s skillful use of sound devices enhances the poem’s musicality and reinforces its thematic concerns. For instance, the repetition of the “a” sound in “Standing as patiently” and the “f” and “r” sounds in “With flowering grasses, and fields” create a sense of flow and rhythm.
Analysis of Poetic Devices Used in MCMXIV (1964)
Beyond literary devices, Larkin utilizes specific poetic techniques to shape the poem’s overall effect.
- Free Verse: “MCMXIV” is written in free verse, meaning it does not adhere to a strict rhyme scheme or metrical pattern. This allows Larkin to create a conversational, almost snapshot-like quality, mirroring the fragmented nature of memory and observation. The lack of traditional structure contributes to the poem’s sense of realism and immediacy.
- Enjambment: Larkin frequently uses enjambment—the continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line to the next without a pause. This technique creates a sense of momentum, drawing the reader forward and mirroring the unstoppable march toward war. For example, the line “The place‑names all hazed over / With flowering grasses” demonstrates how enjambment creates a fluid connection between images.
- Diction: Larkin’s choice of words is precise and deliberate. He avoids overly ornate language, opting instead for simple, evocative terms that capture the essence of the scenes he describes. Words like “uneven,” “bleached,” and “dust” carry a weight of meaning, suggesting a sense of decay and loss.
- Tone: The poem’s tone is remarkably restrained and melancholic. Larkin doesn’t explicitly condemn or celebrate the events he depicts; instead, he presents them with a quiet sense of inevitability. This understated tone makes the poem all the more poignant and emotionally resonant.
- Stanza Structure: The poem is divided into four stanzas. The varying lengths of these stanzas mirror the shifting focus of the poem – from the bustling urban scenes to the tranquil countryside and finally to the reflection on lost innocence.
Quotes to be Used
The following lines are particularly powerful for illustrating the disruption of everyday life and the impending sense of loss:
And the shut shops, the bleached
Established names on the sunblinds,
The farthings and sovereigns,
And dark-clothed children at play
Called after kings and queens,
The tin advertisements
For cocoa and twist, and the pubs
Wide open all day;
This passage vividly depicts a world on the cusp of change, where the familiar comforts of everyday life are slowly being eroded.
Ultimately, “MCMXIV” is not a poem about war, but a poem about what was lost before the war began. It is a haunting meditation on innocence, change, and the enduring power of memory.