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…in typically British style, he ends with a witty punchline that does something to lighten the tone.

That said, the poem’s lasting message in unrepentantly clear, with nothing figurative to blur the instruction.

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Unreviewed Annotation 1 Contributor ?

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A huge, bold, grand statement of the nature of humankind sets up this final stanza. The irreverence of stanzas 1 and 2 has been replaced by gravitas of the bleakest outlook, punctuated by a an irreversibly final full stop.

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Unreviewed Annotation 1 Contributor ?

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Dark undertones of the malevolence and malcontent that seems to typify all parents. Which makes their decision to bring children into the world all the more depressing.

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The confusion of parents who think they know what they’re doing, but can’t reconcile their sentimentality/ hope with their need to control/ instil discipline.

A well-crafted portmanteau indeed.

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A caustic description of older generations.

‘Fools’ underlines the futility of having kids when you know the fundamental inevitability of their being fucked up.

Extra points to Larkin for the generic image of ‘old style hats and coats’ which can successfully be applied to any parents (despite a leaning to pre-mid 20th century aesthetics).

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Echoing the opening line, stanza two introduces a tone of apology and weary acceptance. In the repetition of ‘fuck’ there is a diminished return in impact. The word carries less shock. We are resigned to this process of fucking up and are not invited to find it amusing, shocking or remarkable in any way. It simply is what it is.

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This first stanza ends with a wry humour, bolstered by the ‘just for you’, a knowing sub clause that introduces the cynicism that Larkin is famous for. Nothing good about the ‘extra’ faults here at all…

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Italicised ‘the’ screams invitation.

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Gifts can be surprising in more than one way…

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Another reference to contemporary football, which subtly reinforces Cas' working class persona. Here, this is especially fitting as he is making a dig at the traditionally upper-class Conservative (Tory) party.

For non-football (soccer) fans out there, Nani plays out on the right wing for Manchester United.

For those who don’t follow politics, the Tory party historically have Right wing (or Right of Centre) policies, hence their unpopularity with liberals.

Ironic that Cas tops this song of rape, drug abuse, anti-social behaviour and horrorcore murder fantasy with a call for socialist community action. But that’s what makes him so compelling.

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