Toad As An Extended Metaphors In Toads By Philip Larkin
In the poem Toads by Philip Larkin, the title announces a metaphor, specifically an
extended metaphor which dominates the poem, which is Larkin utilizing a toad as an
extended metaphor for work and obligation, in order to communicate his idea that
individuals have a difficult time living a fulfilling life, due to one s personal obligation
, as well social expectations. Furthermore, the toadis compared to his obligations in
life, as well the life of others who do not work, in order to convey the idea that
individuals feel they are living an unfulfilling life, as a result of personal sense of
obligation, as well social expectations. In addition, the use of figurative language
helps to communicate the idea with greater vividness, being it emphasizes that the
speaker is questioning if his work, is worth his time, being it takes a vast majority
of it, in addition, it is just to get by. Altogether, Larkin s utilizes an extended
metaphor, comparing a toad to work and obligations, in order to bolster his idea with
greater force than a prosaic description would have achieved.
Firstly, the usage of a toad as an the extended metaphor, for work and obligation,
upholds
Larkin s idea of work being difficult for individuals as a result of one s personal sense
of obligation, as well social expectations, as illustrated by comparing the speaker to
the lives of others. As evident, in the excerpt Are skinny as whippets and yet/ No
one actually starves (Lines 19 20), the speaker, the hard working toad is comparing
himself to the lives of other, in order to reveal that others are living without
working as a result of being able to handle not living up to the social expectations.
Moreover, the citation Losels, loblolly men, louts They don t end as paupers
(Lines 11 12), bolsters Larkins idea of work being difficult as a result of one s
personal sense of obligation, by comparing the toads sense of self obligation to
work, to the absence of it for people, thus revealing they are all able to live the
same way, due to they avoid work, however the speaker does not chose to follow
that route. Altogether, Larkins, usage of a toad as an extended metaphor for work
and obligation, helps convey his idea with more force than