Poetry in the Fifties: A Rebellion Against Modernism
Poetry in the Fifties: Writing Against the Grain
Historical Context of The Movement
The return of a Labour government in 1945, fueled by immense popular support and a desire for change after World War II, shaped the literary landscape of the 1950s. Initial optimism for a brighter future gave way to post-war disillusionment as Britain faced the challenges of rebuilding and a perceived decline in global status. The Movement emerged as a literary response to this climate, reflecting the anxieties and experiences of post-war England. Key figures like Kingsley Amis, Philip Larkin, and Elizabeth Jennings embodied this new wave, often rejecting the tenets of Modernism, particularly the works of Pound, Picasso, and Charlie Parker.
Philip Larkin (1922-1985)
Characteristics:
- Traditionalism
- Englishness
Poetry:
- Metaphorical language, reminiscent of Yeats
- Abundant lyrical imagery
Key Works:
- The Less Deceived
- The Whitsun Weddings
- High Windows (including “This Be The Verse”)
- Aubade
Subject Matter:
Larkin’s poetry explores diverse themes, often centered around mortality. He delves into innocence, the melancholic allure of the past, anxieties about the future, and the futility of death. Despite his somber outlook, his work is punctuated with humor, puns, and occasional celebratory moments (e.g., “Annus Mirabilis”). Above all, Larkin’s poetry exposes hypocrisy and pretense, portraying people and places devoid of sentimentality and glamour.
“Church Going”:
In this poem, the persona contemplates the purpose and societal role of church attendance. Set in a traditional, possibly small church, the speaker grapples with the potential future of these spaces when they fall into disuse. Through this exploration, the speaker ironically finds a deeper meaning in the very institution he questions.
“The Whitsun Weddings”:
The title poem of this collection offers a vivid depiction of scenes observed from a train window. The voice is characterized by self-disapproval and cynicism, while the meditative tone reinforces the poem’s pessimistic message.
John Betjeman (1906-1984)
Betjeman, like other Movement poets, emphasized realism and the ordinary. Death remained a central preoccupation in his work.
Poetry:
- A Few Late Chrysanthemums (1954)
Style:
- Unique use of Victorian rhyme and meter, drawing inspiration from poets like Tennyson
- Satirical and comic verses
- Melancholic and ironic pathos
- Often labeled a “Poet of Nostalgia” due to his distrust of progress and yearning for the past
“Summoned by Bells”:
- Characterized by rapid shifts in mood and subject
- Dramatic urgency
- Employs blank verse, a departure from his usual stanzaic forms and rhyme schemes
- Provides an autobiographical glimpse into the poet’s childhood and Oxford days
“A Subaltern’s Love-Song”:
In this poem, the speaker is captivated by Miss J. Hunter Dunn during a tennis match.
Stevie (Florence) Smith (1902-1971)
Themes:
- Death (a recurring theme among her contemporaries)
- Suicide
- Painful human experiences
- Loneliness and despair
- Alienation and the state of the modern world
Tone:
Smith’s tone often oscillates between seriousness, satire, and pessimism.
Main Characteristics:
- Blending of prose and verse, making her work difficult to categorize
- Use of monosyllables (e.g., “The Best Beast of the Fat-Stock Show at Earls Court”)
- Wit and humor juxtaposed with darker themes
- Incorporation of sketches that often comment on the poems themselves
Stylistic Features:
- Economy of words
- Simple language
- Light verse
- Mixture of archaic forms with modern colloquialisms
- Presence of gothic and fairy-tale elements
- Use of prosody reminiscent of humorous or popular verse to convey serious themes
“Not Waving but Drowning” (1957):
- Employs a sing-song voice akin to a nursery rhyme
- Features powerful imagery of water and death
- Utilizes three distinct personae: the drowned man, the witness/writer, and the bystanders
- Shifts from third-person to first-person narration, creating a dialogue between the living and the dead
- Explores themes of isolation and potential suicide
“The Reason”:
This poem directly addresses the subject of suicide.
“Our Bog is Dood”:
This poem examines Smith’s complex relationship with Christianity. It satirizes the blind faith and potential for violence associated with religious belief, particularly among children. Smith ultimately celebrates her freedom from religious dogma.
Doodles:
Smith frequently accompanied her poems with doodles. These sketches don’t always directly correlate with the text, serving as a means to challenge conventional beliefs and ideologies.