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Analysis of Mr Bleaney

Synopsis= In this poem, the speaker is lodging in a room that once belonged to a gentleman named Mr Bleaney. When observing this room that he lived his entire life in, it seems that the speaker is adopting more and more similar characteristics to Mr Bleaney himself. It is interesting to consider whether the details of Mr Bleaneys life is a product of the narrators imagination or are they true, factual details?

 Key Quotations + Analysis 
1.) "One hired box"

  • Here the reference to a box could allude to a coffin, insinuating that Mr Bleaney died in the room which accentuates his loneliness and solitude, in addition it could also imply that all of Mr Bleaneys possessions could fit into one box, this connotes that he may have lived in poverty and therefore had very few possessions to his name
  • Context= in this poem there is reference to "the bodies", this refers to a periods in the 40's where there was a manufacturing boom in the Midlands, which could be an explanation for Mr Bleaneys employment.
  • "hired box" also implies that at the theatre you can hire a box which could connote that the speaker is an observer of Mr Bleaneys life just by looking at his lodged room. 
2.) "Flowered curtains, thin and frayed" 
  • Ill fitting curtains, this connotes that the room was neglected and full of despair which reflects perhaps the social and economic climate of the time. 
  • "thin and frayed" also shows the lack of care towards the room, this could allude to the idea that Mr Bleaney has let himself go since lodging the room as a result of loneliness and solitude. 
  • The curtains are "within 5 inches" off the windowsill, this shows that Mr Bleaney doesn't want to be completely cut off from society, there is some hope but it is only 5 inches which means that the chances of hope are slim. 
3.) "Bed, up right chair, sixty watt bulb"
  • Mr Bleaneys possessions can be listed onto one line, this shows that there is no character or personality to his room. Further accentuates the lack of luxury that Mr Bleaney had as he perhaps lived close to the poverty threshold. Shows that this room is in no way a home despite him living their for so long. 
4.) "Stuffing my ears"
  • The speaker is avoiding fitting into the same stereotype as Mr Bleaney, he doesn't want to become another version of him however it is the bleakness of the room that might carve this isolated character.
  • Context= in the 50's TV sales increased in the 1950's, therefore this could be perceived as a rejection of technology as he is blocking it out by "stuffing" their ears. 
Links to other Larkin poems
Links to Duffy poems
  • Disgrace= Both poems use the deterioration of a setting to portray feelings of loneliness and solitude. "Dead flies in a web" shows that there is a lack of care towards the room and therefore towards the relationship which links to "Thin and frayed".

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