Poem Analysis - Send No Money

An Encounter with Truth and Disillusionment

Philip Larkin's "Send No Money" is a bleak and darkly humorous poem about a young man's quest for truth and the disillusionment he experiences when he confronts the harsh realities of life. The poem begins with a naive yearning for understanding, then shifts to a cynical acceptance of life's meaninglessness. The tone progresses from hopeful anticipation to bitter resignation, reflecting a profound sense of disappointment in the face of existence. Ultimately, the poem questions the value of seeking profound truths when confronted with the brute force of random events.

The Crushing Weight of "Occurence"

One of the central themes in the poem is the theme of disillusionment. The young man, initially eager to learn "the way things go," is quickly confronted with the brutal and seemingly random nature of existence. Time, personified as an "impendent belly," offers no comforting answers, only the spectacle of "occurence clobber[ing] life out." This image suggests a chaotic and violent force that shapes lives in ways that are ultimately meaningless. The poem highlights the clash between the desire for understanding and the indifference of the universe, leading to the speaker's profound disappointment.

Time's Grim Lesson and the Loss of Innocence

Another significant theme is the loss of innocence. The speaker starts as a naive youth with "no green in your eye," eager to receive wisdom from Time. However, the lesson he receives is far from enlightening. Instead, he witnesses the relentless and brutal impact of events, transforming him from an idealistic seeker into a cynical observer. This transformation is evident in the poem's later stanzas, where the speaker confronts the "bestial visor" shaped by life's blows, suggesting a hardened and disillusioned perspective.

The Futility of the Quest

The poem also explores the theme of the futility of searching for meaning. The speaker dedicates his youth to watching the "hail / Of occurence," hoping to uncover some profound truth. However, at the poem's end, he concludes that it proves "Sod all." This blunt and dismissive statement underscores the emptiness and meaninglessness he finds in his quest. The "trite untransferable / Truss-advertisement, truth" suggests that any supposed truth is ultimately mundane, commercialized, and ultimately incapable of being shared or applied to anyone else's life. The truss advertisement is a striking image that underscores the banal and even tawdry nature of the "truth" he has discovered.

Symbols of Time and Experience

The poem uses potent symbols to convey its themes. The "fobbed / Impendent belly of Time" is a striking image, representing Time as a corpulent, imposing force, indifferent to human concerns. The "hail / Of occurence" symbolizes the random and often destructive events that shape life. Finally, the "bestial visor" represents the mask worn by the speaker as he has been beaten down by life’s events. Is this bestial visor a reflection of the external world or a manifestation of something that was already inside the speaker all along?

A Bitter Truth Revealed

In conclusion, "Send No Money" is a powerful exploration of the disillusionment that comes from confronting the harsh realities of life. Larkin's poem portrays a journey from youthful idealism to cynical resignation, highlighting the futility of seeking meaning in a chaotic world. The poem's bleak tone and vivid imagery create a lasting impression of the speaker's profound disappointment, leaving the reader to contemplate the value of truth in the face of existential absurdity.