Analysis (ai): This poem depicts a cynical perspective on aging and the pursuit of happiness. The speaker observes young couples engaging in casual sex and interprets their actions as a sign of paradise. They contrast this with the beliefs and anxieties of their older counterparts, who have abandoned traditional values and now face the prospect of death.

The speaker's language is blunt and dismissive, reflecting their disillusionment. They describe sex with crude imagery, and dismiss religion and morality as outdated. However, the poem also contains moments of unexpected beauty and depth. The description of "high windows" suggests an escape from the limitations of human existence and a glimpse of something transcendent.

Compared to Larkin's other works, "High Windows" is relatively concise and straightforward. It lacks the elaborate imagery and extended metaphors found in some of his other poems. However, it shares a similar preoccupation with themes of aging, mortality, and the search for meaning in a seemingly meaningless world.

The poem also reflects the social and cultural changes of its time. Written in the 1970s, it captures the disillusionment and skepticism that prevailed in the post-war era. It also anticipates the rise of secularism and the decline of traditional religious beliefs. (hide)