Poem Analysis - Money

An Introduction to Larkin's Lament

Philip Larkin's "Money" is a melancholic meditation on the allure and limitations of wealth. The poem opens with a cynical voice, personifying money as a nagging presence. It progresses into a wistful observation of others' lives, only to culminate in a deeply felt, yet understated, sadness. The overall tone is one of regret and resignation, a feeling that material possessions, while tempting, ultimately fall short of providing true fulfillment.

The Seductive Promise of Materialism

One of the central themes is the seductive nature of materialism. The poem opens with money directly addressing the speaker, essentially taunting him: "'Why do you let me lie here wastefully? / I am all you never had of goods and sex, / You could get them still by writing a few cheques.'" This personification gives money an active, almost malevolent, role. It suggests that money offers immediate access to things the speaker lacks and desires: "goods and sex." The poem portrays money as a readily available solution to life's perceived deficiencies, highlighting its deceptive appeal.

The Elusive Nature of Fulfillment

The poem explores the theme of the elusive nature of fulfillment. Observing others, the speaker notes their acquisition of "a second house and car and wife." This suggests that societal expectations often equate happiness with material success and traditional family structures. However, the speaker's observation is laced with skepticism. While others appear to have found happiness through money, the poem subtly questions whether these acquisitions truly lead to a fulfilling life. The phrase "Clearly money has something to do with life" carries a tone of reluctant acceptance rather than genuine admiration.

Mortality's Unyielding Grip

The inevitable approach of mortality acts as an undercurrent throughout the poem. The lines "You can't put off being young until you retire, / And however you bank your screw, the money you save / Won't in the end buy you more than a shave" emphasize the limitations of money. It highlights that time, youth, and ultimately, life itself, are beyond monetary control. Even if one accumulates substantial wealth, it cannot prevent aging or death. The comparison to "a shave" is a stark reminder of the superficial and temporary nature of any perceived benefits money can offer in the face of mortality.

The Sadness in the Glimpse

The poem’s most striking image is the extended metaphor comparing listening to money to "looking down / From long French windows at a provincial town." The description of the town—"the slums, the canal, the churches ornate and mad / In the evening sun"—creates a vivid scene that is both beautiful and desolate. This image embodies a complex mixture of beauty and decay. The "churches ornate and mad" suggest a kind of desperate, almost frantic, attempt to find meaning, perhaps reflecting the speaker’s own search. The "evening sun" evokes a sense of finality and decline. The overall effect is one of "intense" sadness, suggesting that the allure of money, when truly examined, reveals a deeper, more profound emptiness within.

Concluding Thoughts: A Poem of Quiet Despair

“Money” is a subtle yet powerful exploration of the human condition, focusing on the allure and ultimately the inadequacy of wealth. Larkin masterfully uses personification, imagery, and a melancholic tone to create a poem that resonates with a sense of quiet despair. While money may offer temporary pleasures and the illusion of control, it cannot buy true happiness or escape from the inevitability of mortality. The poem leaves the reader contemplating the true value of life beyond material possessions and questioning what truly constitutes a fulfilling existence.