Mr Bleaney - Philip Larkin - The Whitsun Weddings

The Whitsun Weddings is a collection of 32 poems by Philip Larkin. It was first published by Faber in the United Kingdom on 28 February 1964. It was a commercial success, by the standards of poetry publication, with the first 4,000 copies being sold within two months. A United States edition appeared some seven months later.

[@shimantabhattacharyya9200]

One of my favourite poems.

[@helveticaneptune537]

Larkin was the Einstein of poetry

[@tneveca]

The poem is a structured like a chiasmus, where the reversal of order emphasizes the world-changing difference between instinctive habit and existential self-awareness: “I know his ways,” but whether he really knew them by understanding their full implication “I don’t know.” The central question is whether Bleaney and Larkin really did share the same reality: was it a partial torment to Bleaney like it is for Larkin? Was Bleaney better suited by nature to this life? If so, what does that say about Larkin being here? These questions are the torment of an inadequate man who is uncertain whether this is beneath him or actually what he deserves. And yet, is there not some superiority in that self-awareness? Also, uncertain. The poem is a rumination trap and anyone who has been deeply dissatisfied with their life can relate to this.

[@Lisa_BG89]

I think Larkin warranted the Nobel-- I don't know.

[@jonjames7328]

I adore Larkin’s poetry but he had enough money and status to lead a life so much happier than that of Mr Bleaney.

[@moonmothman]

Brilliant. When you hear him read it you don't realise the artistry thats gone in to make every stanza rhyme. Look up the poem and gaze in wonder that he pondered each line to form a thing thing that has a strict structure yet says something really profound. Free verse is easy but rhyming verse , when you want to say something is really difficult. Phillip Larkin made is look easy but thats not the reality.