An analysis of 'As Bad As A Mile' by Phillip Larkin
A language-focused analysis of 'As Bad As A Mile' By Phillip Larkin ('As Bad As A Mile' depicts an individual that has bitten an apple, attempts to throw it in the bin, and misses.) By utilising an AAA/BBB rhyme scheme, Larkin presents a simple reflection on the triviality of failure. Key themes include existentialism (the meaning of life), nihilism (the view that everything is meaningless because nothing matters. The title of this poem in particular echoes the idiom 'a miss is as good as a mile'. In the poem, the speaker bites an apple, attempts to throw it in the bin and misses. Thus, the reader immediately senses a pessimistic tone, and wonders if the poem will contain themes such as futility and negative emotions. Shied- May be a reference to a coconut shy; a game which also involves throwing an object at a target. However, fairground games such as this are notoriously hard to win. Therefore, hinting at the pessimistic writer's tenor. However, th...