Ambulances

Ambulances

Theme: The inevitability and unpredictable nature of death.

'Ambulances' is a morose and morbid poem which reminds the reader that everyone is mortal and will realistically die some time in  the future, no matter their social class or standing. The poem is a portrait of Larkin's fear and contemplation of death and as stated, "all streets in time are visited".

From the start, the ambulances are described as "closed like confessionals", thus implying some level of judgement on a person's life but also suggesting that inside is a private and intimate moment during which paramedics see a person in their rawest form. "None of the glances" aimed at ambulances are returned as despite people being grimly curious, death is a secret that they do not yet know.
The fact that the ambulances appear at noon is an example of pathetic fallacy in that this a particularly busy time which could be seen as a transition period or contrastingly, as an unnatural time for someone to die as they are jerked away from life abruptly.
The vibrancy of life is also shown by the "children strewn on steps" and women shopping, however, this may be an example of Larkin's misogynistic side appearing to criticise women for leaving their children unattended. These daily normalities are subsequently contrasted with the alliteration of the "wild white face", thus putting greater emphasis upon the distressing scene and juxtaposing the white of the face and the red of the blankets. This frantic and half-crazed person is quickly "stowed" away so as not to spoil the idyllic view of family life and the complacency people luxuriate in. "It" is also dehumanised as the departure of life leaves them as just another object.

"The solving emptiness that lies just under all we do" alludes to the idea that people feel dulled by the knowledge of their own fragility and the meaningless of life. By offering words of sympathy, they are pitying the anonymous dying person but are also being selfish as they are thankful that it was not them being taken away. Therefore, the poem could be suggesting that people have grown insensitive to the tragedy of others.
Whilst the "blend of families and fashions" that make up a person's life are reminisced on, the fabric that holds that person's life together begins to "loosen" and enjambment is used to show the inevitability of death and the rhythm it holds within our lives. Ultimately, the poem makes it clear that despite the vibrancy of our lives, everyone will die "unreachable inside a room", distanced from human interaction and comfort. Death ( as symbolised by the ambulances) "dulls to a distance all we are" until the fabric disappears and the person is forgotten.
'Ambulances' as a whole shows Death as the great equaliser but also as something that people want to stay out of sight so as not to remind them of their weaknesses. It highlights the uncertainty and chaos of human life.

Academic Criticism and analysis: http://www.eliteskills.com/analysis_poetry/Ambulances_by_Philip_Larkin_analysis.php,
http://www.philiplarkin.com/ambulances/, http://www.leavingcertsolutions.com/mall/leavingcertsolutions/pdf/English_Larkin_Ambulances.pdf