Two Photographs - Abse

Two photographs is a poem by Abse. The two photographs in this poem act as mementos or souvenirs for the memories to be remembered, the photographs represent the people and the time that has passed.

In the first stanza we recognise that both women are being celebrated equally. Annabel is described as 'pretty', 'slim' and 'vulnerable' and Doris is described as 'portly' and 'formidable'.

We also get a humorous theme to this poem as well this is represented clearly within the second stanza. 'Cheese'; one, defiant, said 'Chalk!'. This represents that Abse's love to both of his grandmothers is genuine and that he knows the ins and outs of them. Abse conveys real love towards his grandmothers, however in the poem Wild Oats Larkin presents love much differently. In this poem he is also comparing women like Abse is doing, however Larkin looks for this idealistic love. Abse doesn't convey this idea as he genuinely loves his grandmothers because he seems to know them so well. Abse is a lot more loving and descriptive and this suggests his love and fondness to his grandmothers. This is probably why this poem has a humours nature to it.

Within stanza three Abse conveys to us the personalities of the two women. Annabel is described as 'pious, passive and enjoyed small talk'. This conveys the idea that she might be a quiet person who may be concerned of what other people think about her. However, Doris is described as 'pacy, pushy' and most importantly 'ate pork!'. This suggests that Doris is rather lively or excitable as a character. This also suggests that she is willing to bend the rules as she eats pork which is seen as barbaric within the Jewish faith. So through this we get a sense that she is the more fun grandmother. Again this links to Wild Oats as Abse is comparing two women similarly to what Larkin does. We get a sense that Doris is able to do what she wants which often may result in negative consequences. This is reinforced through words used such as 'damned' and 'devilishly'. We get the alliteration of the letter 'D' so we automatically assume these words are linked to Doris. This also links with Self's the Man by Larkin where we get the contrasting personalities of the persona and Arnold and how different their lifestyles are. This view is also presented in this poem.

In stanza four it seems as if Abse has a dream about his two grandmothers, This again conveys the view that his love for them is very personal. The fact that it is a dream also conveys Abse's inner thoughts about the two women. We get the description of the 'withered rose' which is a loving and sensory memory.

The ending of this poem is very philosophical in its meaning which is another link to Larkin as he often uses philosophical meanings at the end of some of his poems. 'An amber brooch, a string of pearls, two photographs' suggests that this poem does the job of bringing people back to life. Abse recalls the material possessions of the two women, making this memory a lot more realistic. Abse is also commenting on the view that if we don't own objects that preserve people then they are forgotten. This is further reinforced through the quote 'my children's grandchildren will ask 'who?'. The last part to this poem 'I never lived' suggests that Abse has come to the realisation that he himself won't be remembered for ever. His great grandchildren may remember him, however generations after that to come will not as objects will then cease to be in existence that remind them of Abse. Abse is commenting that the dead exist in the minds of the people who loved us and when these people are gone we are gone to.

This poem has lots of links to Larkin and I have already gone through a few. This poem also links to Love Songs in Age through memories being concealed in objects which makes the memory last. Reference Back where the song triggers memories like the photographs do in this poem. Larkin's celebration of music is also similar to Abse's celebration of the two grandmothers. Overall however Larkin and Abse have contrasting thoughts on women in life.