This action emphasises the idea of movement in the poem and the progression of the journey away from the urban area. It is also quite a strong, definite movement and when used in the metaphor 'swerving to solitude' and 'from' the city, it suggests that Larkin is eager to leave the city. Thus, from the beginning of the poem, urban life is portrayed negatively and consequently the natural world is elevated above it.
The phrase 'rich, industrial shadows' has negative associations with money and the greed of modern society. It insinuates that although the town is vast and dark like a shadow, it is not real. This makes modern society seem devoid of emotions and very impersonal, again promoting the natural world and conveying his desire for isolation.
The alliteration used in 'thin and thistled' and 'night north' uses harsh consonant sounds which make the man - controlled landscape sound inferior to the countryside which is natural. It also makes the tone at this point sound bitter and critical, conveying his dislike of modern society. .
The images of 'workmen at dawn' and 'piled gold clouds' reinforce the excessive desire of people in modern society for more than they need. In the next stanza, the lower classes are described as being from 'raw estates', making them appear common and their lives sound basic.
Larkin uses lists the features of the inner city; 'domes and statues, spires and cranes cluster'. The use of the word 'and', the punctuation and the alliteration increase the pace of the poem, making the town seem crowded like a block of industry and bland because there is a sense of a loss of individuality and identity. This creates a contrast between this environment and the calm of the suburbs.
The word 'dead' is chosen to suggest that while the natural world is alive, the urban landscape is 'dead' in the sense that it is simple and restrictive, reinforcing the idea of urbanisation resulting in the loss of individualism.
