Toads Revisited

Analysis of 'Toads Revisited' by Philip Larkin

• Starts with a less aggressive tone than 'Toads', with the nicer image of the park.
• 'Should' makes us realise it's all an illusion, and reality is quite different to the nice playground he describes.
• Unpleasant images of the men you may encounter - creepy 'waxed-flashed out-patients' from hospitals, suspicious looking men in 'long coats'.
• Avoid work 'By being stupid or weak' - Larkin thinks their lives are pointless and passive.
• Content with work compared to these people. Secretary likely refers to Larkin's secretary lover Betty.
• 'Give me your arm, old toad'- friendly relationship withwork.
• 'Help me down Cemetery Road' - work helps him on the road to death - is he really any better off than everyone else?