Comparing Women In Wild Oats And Talking In Bed

Philip Larkin presents women throughout both the poems ‘Wild Oats’ and ‘Talking in Bed’ in a superficial manner as he focuses purely on their physical appearance and sexuality rather than their personality. Predominantly in ‘Wild Oats’, Larkin reduces both women to stereotypes which highlights his objectifying tone. Examining this poem through a feminist perspective makes it fundamentally clear to see how he focuses on his privileged male perspective throughout leaving the woman’s viewpoint marginalised as communication is clearly fragmented. However, later on in the poem Ruth gives the engagement ring back to Larkin therefore, rejecting him so it could be argued that in this poem women are given more of a voice rather than them being marginalised. In ‘Talking in Bed’, it is also
He presents a more realistic and bleak outlook on relationships that love ultimately fails and inevitably comes to an end with time which subverts the typical, modern stereotype created by society. Therefore, I agree to a large extent that throughout both poems Larkin views woman superficially in submissive roles as he doesn’t seem to look past exterior beauty. However, the term ‘purely’ can be challenged as in ‘Talking in Bed’ he seems to suggest that he wants to have a meaningful conversation with his female partner and to connect emotionally without focusing on sexual or physical actions.
One reason why I agree that Philip Larkin’s view of women is purely superficial is seen in his poem ‘Wild Oats’. He immediately objectifies woman in the poem as the title is a euphemism for sex meaning "sow your wild oats" which was an encouragement for men to be sexually promiscuous prior to getting married whilst women were told to remain chaste. However, this is a