Larkin and Duffy

Contextual information
 Context
Phillip Larkin Carol Ann Duffy
 Early experiences of grim, suburban  Catholic upbringing (aware of sin,
life guilt, moral questions etc.)
 Lack of religious faith and the  Studied Philosophy
questions it raises about morality
 Relationship between language and
 Life as a librarian in Hull things
 Influenced by Hardy  Limits of language
 Pessimism  Meaning of time
 External work to describe the internal
 Sexual orientation (lesbian)
 Intricate syntax
 Awareness of the effects of words
 Influenced by Yeats
 Theme of loss
 Experience in performance poetry
and play writing
 Time Passing
 Dramatic monologues
 Premature aging
 Novel
 Colloquial language
writing leading to dramatic
narrative poems  Pop culture references
Similarities- Both did something away from
poetry that assisted with their writing style

Larkin
 Life as a Librarian in Hull
Duffy
 Studied Philosophy
 Relationship between language and
things
 Limits of language
 Meaning of time
Similarities- Both have experience in
other forms

Larkin Duffy
 Novel writing leads to dramatic,  Experience in performance poetry
narrative poems and play writing
 Dramatic monologues
 Colloquial language
 Pop culture references
Differences- Differing views on religion?

Larkin Duffy
 Lack of religious faith and the  Catholic upbringing (aware of sin,
questions it raises about morality guilt, moral questions etc.)

HOWEVER: Could we say that both are sceptical of religion?

Look at ‘Water’, ‘Faith Healing’, ‘Confession’ and ‘Prayer’ as a starting point