Discuss how the poets present their views on old age in 'Old Man, Old Man' and 'Warning'

These two poems present old age in very different ways. Fanthorpe's poem, 'Old Man, Old Man', expresses a daughter's feelings for her father as he becomes old and is diminished by old age. In contrast, Jenny Joseph's poem 'Warning' looks forward to the freedom of pleasing herself in later years. Both poems are modern and conversational, written in the first person. The title 'Old Man, Old Man' sets the tone for Fanthorpe's poem. The repetition …

…old age and more suited to the fireside than wearing out "in the rain". The poem ends with the humorous suggestion that perhaps she should "practice a little now" rather than waiting to be old to before not conforming to the stereotype. Therefore both poems convey a strong picture of what it is to be old- one saddening, realistic and pessimistic and the other a positive, if unlikely, view of old age as a celebration.