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What is it about? Brainstorm.Born Yesterday. ?Born Yesterday' is about birth, hope, love and the elusive nature of happiness. Larkin is wondering what really makes us happy ? is it material or spiritual things that make us happy, or both?Philip Larkin's friend, the author Kingsley Amis,
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1.
Born Yesterday
For Sally Amis
By
Phillip Larkin G Berentsen 2011
2. What is it about? Brainstorm.
Born Yesterday
3. ‘Born Yesterday’ is about birth, hope, love and the elusive nature of happiness. Larkin is wondering what really makes us happy – is it material or spiritual things that make us happy, or both?
Philip Larkin’s friend, the author Kingsley Amis, had a daughter and when she was born Larkin wrote her this poem. Unfortunately, Sally Amis, the subject of the poem, had a life of great unhappiness. An alcoholic, she died aged only 46. ‘Born Yesterday’ was read at her funeral.
4. Tightly-folded bud,I have wished you somethingNone of the others would:Not the usual stuffAbout being beautiful,Or running off a springOf innocence and love -They will all wish you that,And should it prove possible,Well, you're a lucky girl.But if it shouldn't, thenMay you be ordinary;Have, like other women,An average of talents:Not ugly, not good-looking,Nothing uncustomaryTo pull you off your balance,That, unworkable itself,Stops all the rest from working.In fact, may you be dull -If that is what a skilled,Vigilant, flexible,Unemphasised, enthralledCatching of happiness is called.
5. Check learning
What do you think the poem is about? What is Larkin saying? Write your answer in your book.
6. Surface meaning
Larkin writes about his hopes for the baby. Rather than wishing that the child will be beautiful and lead an extraordinary life, he hopes that the baby will live a simple life which is full of happiness.
7. Tightly-folded bud,I have wished you somethingNone of the others would:Not the usual stuffAbout being beautiful,Or running off a springOf innocence and love -They will all wish you that,And should it prove possible,Well, you're a lucky girl.