Poem Analysis - Dockery And Son

Philip Larkin's "Dockery and Son" is a melancholic and introspective poem grappling with the themes of choice, chance, and the perceived paths of different lives. The poem begins with a casual, almost gossipy tone, but quickly descends into a contemplation of aging, missed opportunities, and the acceptance of a solitary existence. Through vivid imagery and stark honesty, Larkin explores the speaker's contrasting life trajectory compared to a former acquaintance, Dockery, highlighting the anxieties of a life lived without traditional familial connections.

The Weight of What Might Have Been

One of the central themes of "Dockery and Son" is the exploration of alternate life paths. The speaker, visiting his old university, is confronted with the knowledge of Dockery's son, triggering a cascade of reflections on his own childless and wifeless state. The poem juxtaposes the speaker's solitary existence with Dockery's presumed conventional life, raising questions about the value and meaning of each choice. The speaker isn't necessarily envious, but rather burdened by the awareness of how fundamentally different their lives have become, highlighting the roads not taken and the inherent uncertainty of life's direction.

The Inevitability of Time and its Toll

The poem also delves into the unsettling reality of mortality and the passage of time. The initial conversation with the Dean serves as a stark reminder of aging. The realization that Dockery's son is now at the university forces the speaker to confront his own age and the amount of life that has already passed. The imagery of the train journey, where "Canal and clouds and colleges subside / Slowly from view," symbolizes the gradual fading of youth and the increasing distance from past experiences. This awareness creates a "numbness" and a sense of shock as the speaker recognizes the extent to which his life has diverged from others.

Isolation and the Burden of Choice

A pervasive theme throughout "Dockery and Son" is the speaker's sense of isolation. His choice to remain without a wife, family, or even a permanent home has seemingly resulted in a detachment from societal norms and expectations. The lines "To have no son, no wife, / No house or land still seemed quite natural" are tinged with a sense of resignation rather than celebration. The poem suggests that this isolation, while initially comfortable, has led to a form of existential loneliness. The concluding image of "nothing, / Nothing with all a son's harsh patronage" highlights the speaker's perceived lack of legacy or impact, further emphasizing his solitude.

Symbolism of Journeys and Enclosed Spaces

Several recurring symbols and images contribute to the poem's overall meaning. The train journey, representing the speaker's physical and emotional journey through life, is a potent symbol of movement and transition. The locked door of his former residence symbolizes the irretrievability of the past and the impossibility of returning to a previous state of being. The "furnace-glares of Sheffield" create a harsh and industrial image that reflects the bleakness and disillusionment the speaker feels. Furthermore, the mention of "tight-shut" doors in reference to innate assumptions suggests that the speaker may feel trapped by his own decisions and ingrained patterns of thinking.

Final Musings on a Solitary Path

In conclusion, "Dockery and Son" is a poignant exploration of life's complexities and the weight of individual choices. Larkin masterfully portrays the speaker's journey of self-reflection, exposing the anxieties and regrets that can accompany a life lived outside of conventional expectations. The poem serves as a reminder that while choices shape our destinies, the true impact of those choices may not be fully understood until later in life. The ending which mentions, "Life is first boredom, then fear," shows that despite outward appearance of happiness, the speaker is fearful of growing older and the inevitable end that comes with age. Ultimately, "Dockery and Son" compels us to consider the multifaceted nature of happiness and the acceptance of one's own unique, and perhaps solitary, path.