Philip Larkin’s Poetry: Themes, Form, Style, Imagery and Symbolism
than previously, and critics began to perceive in his work the impact of European
modernism and symbolism”. It is highly suggestive that in the collection Regan edited
five years later, Andrew Motion’s essay (previously entitled “The Poems” in his critical
study on Larkin) is renamed as “Philip Larkin and Symbolism”.
In the same book, Seamus Heaney also points out that “there is something
Yeatsian in the way that Larkin, in High Windows, places his sun poem immediately
opposite and in answer to his moon poem”. In Barbara Everett’s study (“Philip Larkin:
After Symbolism”) one finds ample evidence for the influence of French symbolism
upon Larkin. This is particularly important since Larkin denied being in any way
influenced by what came from abroad. Today we have every reason to see this as a
legend that he created about himself.
annaabi.ee 
