Sons- Dannie Abse

Content
An expression of the awkward, in between teenage stage of life yet rather than complaining about it, Abse adopts an affectionate, admiring attitude of this time in a nostalgic tone that very much replicates the 'chameleon' imagery of 'Imitations'.

Analysis
The idea of the doors slamming at the beginning of the poem initiates a stereotypical teenage act, the force and the aggression of the 'slamming' action and the harsh sibilance sounds embody this 'wild flowers' idea that describes the son- wild and lively. This description juxtaposes the 'tamed gardens', the idea of parental control and restrictions with the flowering connoting maturation, this explains the transition of the son. Yet the natural imagery establishes a beauty in this process and a tone of appreciation, that the father admires this cluttered idea that Larkin so often detests in the 'clobbers' of Selfs The Man. This conflict runs throughout the poem, perhaps a physical conflict and strained relationship between a parent and a child at this time, the clashing or 'order and chaos' of rules and liberty both 'prim and brash', but also an internal struggle for identity as the son tries to find himself, 'nameless becoming' is symbolic of his search for self worth. Like wise, the 'hesitant sense of not belonging quite' shows the child's awkward uncertainty, the odd manipulation of the syntax not only exemplifies that whole 'hesitant' idea but also the sons marginalised position, not feeling as though he fits within society. In the final line, 'savage darkness bright' the dark days of teenage years which Larkin focusses on are meant with a 'bright' affection, the use of light here depicts an adoration for the experience not only as a son, but as a nostalgic reflection at the fathers own teenage years. It is pivotal that the 'bright' comes as the final image of the poem, after the darkness, to affirm that is the memory that remains and argumentative conflict are only short lived.

The dark 'savage' persona of the son is embodied through the harsh sibilance that juxtaposes the affection the father describes, 'sarcastic sons slam front doors' initiates a forceful tone from the offset yet its rhythmic nature can also seem to depict a light, comical outlook of events from the fathers perspective. The increasing length of the sestets down the poem reflect the sons increasing confidence and responsibility as he descends into manhood and makes his way to a 'bright' future, yet the ABCCDC rhyme scheme creates this not quite fulfilled, fitting in image that the son battles throughout the imagery of the poem.