Imitations

Themes
Familial relationships- father and son, growing up, change, reflection

Content

Similar to 'Sons', Abse focuses on the relationship between father and adolescent son as the father impresses the idea of a connection between himself and his son upon the reader which takes him back to his own youth.

 Analysis

•  ''Imitations' means an likeness or impression , which is what the father sees his son as, thus hinting at the cyclical nature of life.
• The poem starts with the phrase "in this house, in this afternoon room"-caesura gives the impression that father and son are enclosed together without any distractions while that fact that this is an "afternoon room" implies the passing of time and growing up- the day drawing to a close, transition period between light and dark.  The simple statement "my son and I" connects the two in the mind of the reader and places further emphasis upon their isolation together.
• This isolation is highlighted in that the two are separated from the rest of the world ("the other side of glass") and this could be interpreted as them having overcome the chilly barrier of age. Together inside they can escape the "snowflakes" outside while this may be pathetic fallacy to show how unpredictable the emotions of the son can be- the winter-like weather has "surprised April". This personification of April acts to make it seem as though the father is speaking in third person and using a month to express his own feelings. "Snowflakes" themselves are pure and fresh and the continuing imagery of white ("whitewash") would seem to suggest that the son is a blank canvas for the father to shape- the father has a second chance at life, living through his son.
• The persona states in short and blunt statements that his "son is 16" and an "approximate man"- the word "approximate" implies that in the eyes of the persona, his son is still not yet a man, perhaps because the persona wishes his son to rely on him for a little while longer. There then commences a series of three oxymoron's and metaphors for the son -" my chameleon, my soft diamond, my deciduous evergreen". Abse includes these in order to emphasise how the son is always changing and his emotions can be different at difference times, adolescence is a confusing time. However, the fact that the persona sees this person who is a "chameleon" shows that he understands his son and recognises him throughout the change- he is precious to him. The use of the possessive pronoun "my" reinforces the idea that the persona is proud and protective of his son.
• Modern life is much different to the world of the persona's youth and the music items are all now "forgeries" which they don't appreciate. The speaker understands that he will not know everything that his son is thinking about and wonders whether he also dreams of "some school Juliet" as he likely once did. Despite this, the speaker continues to liken the relationship to nature in its purity- "whiter snow". The son is unpredictable and surprising, "gusting suddenly" when the day seems clear but behind this are a collection of gentle and caring emotions. Moreover, the depiction of nature as "evergreen", "half blue" and "white blossom" connotes the beginning of life and vivid springtime. There will be problems in the future but everyone must go through these as they enter adulthood.
• In the last stanza, the speaker's call to "oh immortal springtime" suggests that he wants his son to stay young for ever, just as nature is continuous or believes the connection/love between him and his son to be eternal but also hints at the idea that life constantly repeats itself. Through this realisation he is taken back to his own youth "elsewhere" with his "father alive again". Human's lives are merely a blink in time and the father-son relationship is always one of importance as it shapes the son's life. Just as the persona sees his son as his imitation, he too was a "duplicate" of his father- we are made in our father's image. It is clear that the persona held his own father in high regard and clearly remembers the small occasions spent with their breath at different heights "sticking to the glass"-he looked up to his father and the use of caesura on this line breaks up the line to give the impression that these are simplistic thoughts of a younger age.
• The poem ends, as many of Larkin's poems end, by opening the poem to a more philosophical and universal meaning- the "two white butterflies stumble, held to each, as if by elastic, and pass". The relationship between father and son is one of purity not without its ups and downs but always strong and flexible and constantly repeated throughout time. The butterflies are metaphors for/embodiments of the relationship and are symbolic of personal transformation and the comfortable companionship between father and son. While things will change in the future in an unpredictable nature, the persona stresses that there will always be that strong connection between father and son.
• The appearance of some rhyme within this poem, though not constantly, shows the repetition and unpredictable nature of life- it always has the ability to surprise us.

Links to Larkin

Themes- 'Dockery and Son'- Both poems focus on the bond between father and son and how time is precious, though Larkin uses an outside view while Abse's poem is more intimate and involved. While Larkin satirises the "innate assumption" that "adding meant increase", Abse makes it clear that the speaker feels as though his son is a point of joy in his life, not a burden, though Larkin does admit a long life without family can be lonely. Larkin's poem also shows how sons often follow in their father's footsteps as the son attends the same school as his dad-strong bond.
'Afternoons'- The adults have had the vibrant period of their lives and now the children take over their "courting-places"- parents must live through their children as their lives draw to a close. In contrast to Abse, Larkin comments on how having children actually takes away your life and is a point of negativity. Pathetic fallacy mirrors the lives of the parents just as it is used by Abse to show changing emotions and the idea of growing up.
'Here'- Nature is immortal and constant, never faltering in its process- this is how Abse depicts the bond between father and son.
'Self's the Man'- Larkin yet again shows a negative view of family and children ("pay for the kiddies' clobber") which contrasts with the opinion outlined by Abse.
'For Sidney Bechet'- How the senses can cause a person to reflect on the past and happy memories.
' An Arundel Tomb'- Larkin ,like Abse, ends on a uncharacteristically endearing note that "what will survive of us is love". Love and the bond between father and son is "immortal" and will endure through time.
Tone- Positive, optimistic: 'First Sight'- spring will come and with it, warmth for the lambs
          Fond and sentimental: 'For Sidney Bechet', 'Broadcast', 'Love Songs in Age'
Techniques- Similar to 'The Whitsun Weddings' and the metaphor of an "arrow-shower", Abse's poem ends with the metaphor of butterflies to symbolise love, though Larkin must turn this into something depressing in that the love is raining down and being washed away.
The use of personal pronouns to show possession and connection is also present in 'The Whitsun Weddings' ("we"-experience will tie them together) and 'For Sidney Bechet' ("My Crescent City").
Caesura appears in 'Taking One Home for the Kiddies' in order to show the simplicity of childhood and the continuing spring imagery as a method to present youth and the beginning of life is present also in 'Love Songs in Age'-"spring-woken tree"- spring is a time of hope, though this vibrancy is in the past in Larkin's poem.
Lastly, the on-going use of oxymoron's is similar to the oxymoron of "sunless glare" in 'First Sight' due to the fact that youth and the start of life are shown to be confusing as young animals and people attempt to adapt to the world.