Good afternoon students, today we are going to read Lesson – 9 i.e. a poem titled as “” written by .

The North Ship

Philip Larkin

Few details about the poet :

Philip Arthur Larkin ( 1922-85 ) was a renowned English poet and novelist. His first book of poetry was The North Ship, followed by two novels, and A Girl in Winter. He came to prominence in 1955 with the publication of his second collection of poems, , followed by and . He was offered the position of Poet Laureate in 1984 but he declined it.

This poem describes the journey of three ships that head to different destinations. While two ships return back, one presses forward and faces perils to continue its long onward journey, almost like a symbol of aspiration that overcomes all obstacles.

Substance of the poem :

“The North Ship” by Philip Larkin is a poem about the voyage of three ships. It was morning, full of wind on the sea. One ship was directed towards the west. It got the favour of the wind. So it reached its destination of a rich country easily.

The second one was bound for the east. As it started its journey it had to face the obstruction of wind flowing from the opposite direction. So the sea seemed ‘quaking’, steering for the ship. Its forward movement was arrested by the wind and the ship had to anchor.

The third one drove towards the north where it faced the darkening sea. The sea was getting dark as the northern sky was going to be covered by black cloud. So the sea became, unfavourable for the ship. It continued its northward journey but the sea became ‘unforgiving’ to it.

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However, both the ships of the west and the east came back, though with different moods. The ship of the west was happy fulfilling its wishes, travelling a rich country, where as the ship of the east came back unhappily as its journey was restricted by the wind of the sea. But the ship of the north never came back and it pressed forward toward its destination fighting the obstacles.

Metaphorically, the ships in the poem stand for three kinds of people. One, who get all that they want easily and are happy and content. The other, who face obstacles in life and fall prey to circumstances. The third are with an undaunted zeal, who fight the obstacles to march forward in the journey of life.

Word Nest :

1. Prominence – Importance 2. Poet Laureate – A kind of high regarded post for the poets in kingdom. 3. Declined – Refused 4. Destination – The place to which someone is going. 5. Onward – Towards the front 6. Peril – Danger, Hazard 7. Aspiration – A strong desire of having or getting something. 8. Overcome – Win, Surmount 9. Obstacle – Obstruction 10. Sail – To travel on water 11. Lifting – Rising because of strong wind ( participle used as adjective ) 12. Rigged – Equipped the ship for a long journey. 13. Quaking sea – Stirring sea 14. Hunted – Chased for game 15. Anchor – Fix ship firmly 16. Captivity – Confinement 17. Darkening sea – The sea that is going to be dark. 18. Breath – A very slight breeze. 19. Deck – The open part of the ship 20. Frostily – Being covered with frost 21. Proud – Arrogant 22. Unfruitful – barren 23. Wide and far – To a great distance 24. Unforgiving – Ruthless 25. Fire-spilling star – Comet

Note for students – You are advised to read the poem thoroughly along with the word nest and substance given above.