False Hope
This is a poem about false hope, represented by the coming of Spring. The speaker notices that the seasons are changing, noting the beauty of his surroundings. However, at the end of the poem, he compares the happiness he feels to the happiness of a child who is convinced by the false laughter of his parents after an argument. As such, the arrival of spring is associated with a feeling of deception and falsehood.
The Seasons
The seasons, specifically spring and winter, are key themes in this poem. The speaker tells us that Spring is arriving, promising to dispel the coldness and darkness of winter. However, Larkin turns this idea on its head, saying that the optimism Spring offers may be false and misleading.
Time
As with many of Larkin's poems, time is a key focus. This is expressed through the symbolism of the seasons, as Larkin suggests that although Spring often represents new beginnings, it also signifies the fact that time is moving forward. As such, instead of seeing the seasons as a cycle of death and rebirth, Larkin sees them as a symbol that life is passing by quickly.
