In Cut Grass. Philip Larkin uses onomatopoeia. colour and flower symbolism. and punctuation to demo that decease is inevitable. and is incognizant of specific fortunes. By contrasting the cut grass with the typically vivacious. lively month of June. Larkin shows the rough nature of decease. and its neglect towards its milieus. while at the same time supplying a sense of hope one time decease does arrive.
In the first stanza. Larkin uses onomatopoeia to make a graphic image of cut grass. The crisp sounds of “cut grass” imply ferocity. while the following phrase “lies frail. ” is evocative of weakness and failing. He continues to parallel sounds by utilizing phrases such as “brief is the breath. ” and “exhale. ” whose sounds resemble their several actions. Through his usage of onomatopoeia. Larkin connects the reader to the grass. and therefore evokes sympathy. While the reader is sensitive towards the decease. it however continues. regardless of the animation of “young-leafed June. ”
Larkin besides contrasts the “brief breath” with “long death” to demo that life is comparatively brief when compared to the infinity of decease. He makes the bulk of the verse form. in depicting decease. one sentence. from “long. long…” until the terminal. in order to exemplify the drawn-out and slow death. He describes the decease “at summer’s gait ; ” a lazy and lingering motion that disregards its bally milieus. He shows that decease is ineluctable. and is continually happening. even at supposed joyful minutes. However. Larkin besides ends the verse form with motion. to demo that decease. although inevitable. is non needfully concluding. and that there is possible for an hereafter.
The perennial mention to white besides serves to demo the two sides of decease ; while it is pure and guiltless. it is besides melancholic. By bodying decease. Larkin shows that though one can measure decease from different positions. it necessarily returns to the unjust and unmerciful nature of decease. He besides mentions “chestnut flowers. ” “white lilac. ” and “Queen Anne’s lacing. ” three white flowers. to stand for the two sides of decease. Larkin personifies the white lilacs. which are typically symbolic or vernal candor. to bow to decease to demo that decease is unyielding to its subsidiary. young person. However “white hours. ” “and chestnut flowers” serve to picture a epicurean. pleasant ambiance. which besides describes decease. Therefore. Larkin shows a gleam of hope for a hereafter after decease. and allows the reader alleviation and relaxation when nearing decease.
In utilizing the symbolism of white and flowers. onomatopoeia. and relevant punctuation. Larkin is able to portray decease as both ageless and hopeful. and to reconstruct a sense of alleviation around death’s cheerless nature.
