My darling essay

There are some instances of end rhyme, such as with “recital” and “ rebuttal ” in stanza seven of ‘If, my darling,’ as well as moments in which Larkin makes use of assonance, or vowel rhyme, and consonance, or consonant rhyme. One example of assonance occurs at the end of the first two lines.

‘If, my darling’ by Philip Larkin describes a speaker’s own perspective on his own emotional state and the inner workings of his mind. Philip Larkin presents an interesting picture of life from the outside and the inside in ‘If, my darling.’

The third stanza is similar to the second in that the speaker lists out things that one cannot find in his mind. There is a distinct lack of joy there. The “tantalus” or liquor decanter, is not full. No one is expected, and even if someone did show up there would be nothing available to drink.

In the first lines of this piece, the speaker begins by setting out the metaphorical events that bring forth the rest of the poem. He imagines a set of circumstances in which his “darling,” or lover, is able to, This magical event shows his “darling’s” desire to get to know him better.