Analysis (ai): "Annus Mirabilis" chronicles a turning point in sexual attitudes, specifically the end of the Lady Chatterley's Lover obscenity trial in 1960 and the release of The Beatles' debut album in 1963. The poem captures the excitement and liberation that marked this period, comparing it to a "brilliant breaking of the bank" and a "quite unlosable game."

This poem differs from Larkin's other works, which often explore themes of isolation, loneliness, and the complexities of human relationships. In comparison, "Annus Mirabilis" celebrates a shared experience and the collective optimism of the time.

The poem's concise language and conversational tone reflect the seismic cultural shift it describes. Larkin's use of everyday language, such as "bargaining" and "wrangle," highlights the banality of the sexual repression that had preceded this period. The abrupt ending, with the refrain echoing from the beginning, emphasizes the fleeting nature of this optimistic interlude.

By aligning the end of sexual censorship with the rise of popular culture, Larkin suggests that the societal changes of the 1960s were interconnected. "Annus Mirabilis" stands as a snapshot of a transformative period, capturing both the exhilaration and the bittersweet nostalgia of a lost moment in time. (hide)