Poem Analysis - The Building

A Glimpse into Existential Dread

Philip Larkin's "The Building" presents a stark and unsettling portrait of a hospital, or perhaps some other institution of correction and care, as a liminal space where individuals confront their mortality and the failures of their lives. The poem is imbued with a pervasive sense of anxiety and resignation. Initially, the tone is observational, describing the building and its surroundings. However, it gradually shifts to a more profound reflection on the human condition, marked by a somber and melancholic mood as the poem progresses and the true nature of the building's purpose becomes clear. The poem concludes with a bleak assessment of life and death.

Mortality and the Inescapable End

One of the poem's central themes is mortality. The building itself is a symbol of this inevitable end. The description of "how many floors it needs, how tall / It's grown by now" suggests the vastness of the problem it aims to correct – human suffering and, ultimately, death. The patients' shared realization of their vulnerability ("This new thing held in common makes them quiet") emphasizes the unifying power of death's shadow. The poem directly states, "All know they are going to die...And somewhere like this," explicitly linking the building to the awareness of one's eventual demise.

Failed Hopes and the Loss of Agency

Another significant theme is the failure of hope and the loss of individual agency. The description of the people in the waiting room – "faces restless and resigned," "that vague age that claims / The end of choice, the last of hope" – paints a picture of lives marked by disappointment and the acceptance of a predetermined path. Their presence in the building signifies a confession "that something has gone wrong," suggesting a failure to achieve their aspirations. The contrast between the outside world's "loves, your chances" and the building's confines highlights the loss of opportunity and freedom experienced by those within.

The Building as a Symbol of Societal Ills

The building itself functions as a potent symbol. It represents not only a physical place of treatment and confinement, but also a larger societal mechanism for dealing with the consequences of human failings. The sheer size of the building, "higher than the handsomest hotel," suggests the magnitude of the problems society seeks to address, or perhaps conceal. The description of the corridors and rooms, "each one further off / And harder to return from," implies a descent into a state of irreversible decline. The "lucent comb" that "shows up for miles" offers a deceptive promise of hope and healing, masking the underlying despair within.

A Bleak Reflection on the Human Condition

In conclusion, "The Building" is a powerful and unsettling meditation on mortality, loss, and the human condition. Larkin uses vivid imagery and a somber tone to create a space where individuals confront the limitations of their lives and the inevitability of death. The building serves as a symbol of societal attempts to grapple with these issues, ultimately revealing the inadequacy of such efforts. The poem leaves the reader with a profound sense of unease, prompting reflection on the fragility of existence and the universal experience of facing our own mortality.