This Be the Verse by Philip Larkin (poem)

Being punished as a young child, life seemed harsh and uneasy. The way parents would yell at you, tell you what to do, what not to do, and they always seemed to have gotten in the way of doing what us children wanted to do. It was all done for a reason however. The “cruelty” our parents showed us was out of love. They just want to use their experience to help guide our lives to success. With their guidance we are given opportunities to change some of the things we do for the better. Parents were raised a generation before us, therefore making them not as “chat-friendly” as someone whose our age. Mom and dad have helped in so many ways that we would not be able to name them all. From teaching us about nutrition to what words not to say they have helped us grow, mature, and turn into wonderful young adults.

“They fuck you up, your mum and dad.” (ll.1) the first line of this poem comes off very harsh, because it is! Larkin is getting the reader’s attention with the first line. Your mom and dad “fuck you up” by giving you insights on how to better yourself and punishing you for the wrong things you have done. “They may not mean to, but they do” (ll.2) Parents don’t mean to hurt you, they are trying to mold you into a better person by sharing some of their life experiences with you. M They sometimes comes off as being rude, but really they are being firm and attempting to rub off some of their experience on you. “They fill you with the faults they had” (ll.3) Larkin is basically saying that they share their experience with you because they know that it is very valuable information which can better your life. “And add some extra, just for you” (ll.4) Parents not only use their own experience but also look at their children’s life and they try to explain to them what they notice is wrong and how to change that for the better. “But they were fucked up in their turn (ll.5), by fools in old-style hats and coats” (ll.6) Larkin is saying that the parents who try to better you by using their experience were in the same shoes as you when they were children. Mom and dad were once children who were being ridiculed by their parents for things they were doing wrong. The only difference between the mom and dad and the child is that they grew up in different generations. Mom and dad’s generation wore older style clothing because they were in an earlier generation than us. “Who half the time were soppy-stern (ll.7), and half at one another’s throats.” (ll.8) the parents of our parents were much stricter in punishments. They would get straight to the point and beat their kids if it was needed. Instead of talking to their children they would physically try