The poem "Essential Beauty" by Philip Larkin juxtaposes unrealistic advertising images with the harsh reality of life in 1950s Britain. The poem criticizes how advertising deceives people by portraying unattainable ideals of beauty, lifestyle, and consumption. Large advertisements dominate the landscape, covering up the scars of war and tricking people into chasing false dreams. Larkin contrasts the perfect images in ads with the imperfect realities of aging, death, and unfulfilled lives. The poem satirizes how advertising manipulated society's values by making beauty, wealth, and material goods seem essential.