William Ernest Henley (1849 – 1903)

William Ernest Henley had a difficult life. His family was poor, his father died when he was young, and at age twelve tuberculosis necessitated the amputation of one of his legs below the knee. Continue reading Analysis of William Ernest Henley’s “Invictus” →

Philip Larkin (1922 – 1985)

I was thinking about the influence of parents, living or dead, on their adult children. No doubt the impact is significant, and fate deals her hand randomly in such matters. But to what extent can we overcome parental influence? I don’t know. Pursuant to these questions consider the most depressing poem I’ve ever read about parents. Continue reading Meaning of Philip Larkin’s, “This Be The Verse” →