The poem you're referring to is “MCMXIV” by Philip Larkin. In this poem, Larkin reflects on the outbreak of World War I and its impact on British society. The phrase “long uneven lines” of men waiting to be enlisted captures the sense of anticipation and the disruption that the war brought.
Here's how each option fits:
Mr. Bleaney - This poem is about a drab, mundane life of a rented room and its previous occupant. It does not deal with the theme of war.
MCMXIV - This poem specifically addresses the period around the outbreak of World War I. It vividly describes the scene of men queuing to enlist and the subsequent transformation of British society. The line “long uneven lines” refers directly to the men waiting to be enlisted.
Ambulances - This poem deals with the theme of mortality and the impact of ambulances as symbols of death. It does not focus on the recruitment for war.
Sad Steps - This poem is about the poet’s contemplation of aging and the passage of time. It does not reference war or enlistment.
So, the correct answer is indeed 2, MCMXIV, because it accurately matches the description of men waiting to be enlisted for the war and the concluding line, “Never such innocence again.”
Year-wise PYQs
