Poem Analysis - Take One Home For The Kiddies

Introduction: A Cycle of Disillusionment

Philip Larkin’s "Take One Home For The Kiddies" is a stark and unsettling poem that explores the fleeting nature of novelty and the casual disregard for life. The poem, imbued with a cynical tone, begins with a scene of vulnerable creatures and swiftly transitions into a disturbing display of childish indifference. There's a distinct shift from a compassionate observation of life to a detached engagement with death, revealing a cycle of desire, possession, and eventual abandonment. The poem's brevity intensifies its impact, leaving the reader with a lingering sense of unease.

Theme: The Ephemeral Nature of Joy

One of the central themes is the fleeting nature of joy and the transient appeal of new possessions. The initial plea, "Mam, get us one of them to keep," highlights the children's immediate desire for the chicks, driven by their novelty. However, the very next stanza abruptly reveals the emptiness of this desire: "Living toys are something novel, / But it soon wears off somehow." The word "somehow" is particularly potent, suggesting a casual and perhaps unconscious process of disenchantment. This reinforces the idea that their joy is superficial and easily extinguished.

Theme: Disregard for Life and the Inevitability of Death

The poem starkly presents the theme of disregard for life, transitioning into a fascination with death. The chicks, initially objects of desire, are quickly reduced to props in a macabre game. The line "Fetch the shoebox, fetch the shovel - / Mam, we're playing funerals now," is chilling in its simplicity. The children's casual approach to death suggests a lack of understanding and empathy. This unsettling depiction raises questions about the sources of their callousness and the normalization of death, particularly within the context of play.

Theme: The Loss of Innocence and the Distortion of Play

Another significant theme is the loss of innocence through the distortion of play. The children's transition from wanting a "living toy" to staging funerals highlights a disturbing corruption of their innocence. Play, typically a realm of imagination and joy, becomes associated with death and disposal. This shift underscores a premature exposure to the harsh realities of life and the consequences of treating living beings as disposable objects. The poem suggests that this desensitization could have lasting impacts.

Symbolism: The Significance of Shadeless Glass and Empty Bowls

The poem employs potent symbolism to enhance its meaning. The "shadeless glass" in the opening stanza symbolizes a lack of protection and vulnerability. The chicks are exposed, without comfort or refuge. Similarly, the "empty bowls" signify deprivation and neglect. These images contribute to the overall sense of the chicks' precarious existence and foreshadow their impending demise. It could be argued that "shadeless glass" represent the emptiness of modern life and the children who are raised with it. Does this suggest a criticism of society's disconnection from nature and a fostering of detachment towards living beings?

Conclusion: A Disturbing Reflection on Human Nature

"Take One Home For The Kiddies" is a disturbing yet powerful reflection on human nature, particularly the ease with which we can become detached from the value of life. Through vivid imagery and a cynical tone, Larkin exposes the fleeting nature of desire and the potential for callousness, even in childhood. The poem's unsettling conclusion leaves the reader pondering the implications of such indifference and the cycle of acquisition and disposal that permeates our relationship with the world around us. The poem's lasting impact lies in its ability to provoke uncomfortable questions about our own capacity for empathy and the consequences of treating living beings as mere commodities.