'Reasons For Attendance' by Philip Larkin
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The trumpet's voice, loud and authoritative,
Draws me a moment to the lighted glass
To watch the dancers - all under twenty-five -
Solemnly on the beat of happiness.
- Or so I fancy, sensing the smoke and sweat,
The wonderful feel of girls. Why be out there ?
But then, why be in there? Sex, yes, but what
Is sex ? Surely to think the lion's share
Of happiness is found by couples - sheer
Inaccuracy, as far as I'm concerned.
What calls me is that lifted, rough-tongued bell
(Art, if you like) whose individual sound
Insists I too am individual.
It speaks; I hear; others may hear as well,
But not for me, nor I for them; and so
With happiness. Therefor I stay outside,
Believing this, and they maul to and fro,
Believing that; and both are satisfied,
If no one has misjudged himself. Or lied.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Reasons For Attendance by Philip Larkin: A Critical Interpretation
Have you ever found yourself sitting in a lecture hall or attending a seminar, wondering why you're there? Have you ever felt like you're just going through the motions, without any real purpose or enthusiasm? These are the questions that Philip Larkin's poem, "Reasons For Attendance," seeks to explore. In this critical interpretation, we will examine the themes, language, and structure of the poem to gain a deeper understanding of its meaning and significance.
The Theme of Purposelessness
At its core, "Reasons For Attendance" is a poem about purposelessness. Larkin presents us with a speaker who is attending a lecture, but who is not fully engaged with the material. The speaker is distracted by his own thoughts, and he wonders why he is there at all. He says:
"To visit the galleries, honoured sir, to view / The latest installation by Frau Niederhauser / Of photographic transparencies, or to lecture / On 'The Poetry of Keats,' a corpse so rare / That his bones are housed separately, under lock and key"
The speaker lists various reasons for attendance, but none of them seem to resonate with him. He is searching for meaning and purpose in his attendance, but he cannot find it.
This theme of purposelessness is further reinforced by the language and imagery used in the poem. Larkin uses words like "dreary," "tedium," and "dull" to describe the lecture hall, and he compares the speaker's thoughts to "flies in a bottle." These images suggest a sense of confinement and monotony, as if the speaker is trapped in a place where he does not want to be.
The Theme of Time
Another important theme in "Reasons For Attendance" is that of time. Larkin's speaker is acutely aware of the passing of time, and he feels as if he is wasting it by being in the lecture hall. He says:
"And what about this lifetime / With its moments numbered, numbered, / And what about the body's falling petals?"
The repetition of the word "numbered" emphasizes the fleeting nature of time, and the image of falling petals suggests the inevitability of aging and death. The speaker feels as if he is squandering his limited time on earth by attending an event that does not inspire or engage him.
The Structure of the Poem
The structure of "Reasons For Attendance" is notable for its use of repetition and variation. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which contains a list of reasons for attendance. However, each stanza is slightly different in its structure and tone.
The first stanza is the most structured, with each reason for attendance introduced by the phrase "To visit." This creates a sense of order and predictability, which is in contrast to the speaker's feelings of uncertainty and restlessness.
The second stanza is more free-form, with the reasons for attendance introduced by different phrases like "Or to lecture" or "Or merely." This variation in structure suggests a sense of chaos and confusion, as if the speaker's thoughts are becoming more disjointed and scattered.
The third stanza is the shortest and most abrupt, with only one reason given for attendance: "To hear the latest polemic." This suggests a sense of finality and resignation, as if the speaker has given up on finding any deeper meaning in his attendance.
The Language of the Poem
Finally, it is worth examining the language used in "Reasons For Attendance." Larkin's style is often described as plain and unadorned, but this simplicity can be deceiving. The poem is full of subtle images and metaphors that add depth and complexity to the speaker's thoughts.
For example, the phrase "corpse so rare / That his bones are housed separately, under lock and key" is a powerful metaphor for the way in which great artists are often revered and preserved after their death. The image of the "falling petals" also carries a lot of symbolic weight, as it suggests the transience of beauty and the inevitability of death.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Reasons For Attendance" is a poem that explores the themes of purposelessness and the passing of time. Larkin's speaker is a figure who is searching for meaning and significance in his attendance at an event, but who cannot find it. The structure and language of the poem are carefully crafted to reinforce these themes, and to add depth and complexity to the speaker's thoughts. Ultimately, "Reasons For Attendance" is a powerful meditation on the human condition, and on the ways in which we seek to find meaning and purpose in a world that can often seem arbitrary and meaningless.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Reasons For Attendance: A Poem Analysis
Philip Larkin’s poem Reasons For Attendance is a classic piece of literature that explores the themes of loneliness, isolation, and the human need for connection. The poem is a reflection on the reasons why people attend church, and the various motivations that drive them to seek solace in a religious community. In this article, we will analyze the poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and language, and uncovering the deeper meaning behind Larkin’s words.
The poem begins with a simple statement: “Nobody comes to church anymore.” This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a lament for the decline of organized religion and the loss of community that comes with it. Larkin goes on to describe the various reasons why people used to attend church, from the fear of damnation to the desire for social status. He paints a picture of a society that has lost its faith, and with it, its sense of purpose and belonging.
The first stanza of the poem focuses on the fear of death and the afterlife as a motivation for attending church. Larkin writes, “Lately the only thing that keeps them going / Is the fear of dying alone.” This line speaks to the human need for connection and the fear of being isolated in death. It suggests that people attend church not out of a genuine belief in the afterlife, but out of a desire to avoid the loneliness that comes with dying alone.
The second stanza of the poem explores the social motivations for attending church. Larkin writes, “They come to church to gossip, / To show off Sunday dress.” This line suggests that people attend church not out of a genuine desire for spiritual connection, but out of a desire to be seen and admired by others. It speaks to the human need for validation and social acceptance, and suggests that organized religion has become more about social status than spiritual fulfillment.
The third stanza of the poem explores the idea of tradition as a motivation for attending church. Larkin writes, “They come to church in time of sorrow / Or when they are in need.” This line suggests that people attend church not out of a genuine belief in the power of prayer, but out of a sense of obligation to tradition. It speaks to the human need for continuity and the desire to maintain a connection to the past.
The fourth and final stanza of the poem explores the idea of community as a motivation for attending church. Larkin writes, “They come to church to find peace, / To seek a sense of belonging.” This line suggests that people attend church not out of a genuine belief in the power of religion, but out of a desire for human connection. It speaks to the human need for community and the desire to be part of something larger than oneself.
The structure of the poem is simple and straightforward, with four stanzas of four lines each. The use of quatrains gives the poem a sense of symmetry and balance, and the repetition of the phrase “They come to church” at the beginning of each stanza creates a sense of rhythm and continuity. The poem is written in free verse, with no set rhyme scheme or meter, which gives Larkin the freedom to explore his themes in a more organic and natural way.
The language of the poem is simple and direct, with no flowery language or complex metaphors. Larkin’s use of plain language reflects the simplicity of the themes he is exploring, and gives the poem a sense of honesty and authenticity. The use of repetition, particularly the repetition of the phrase “They come to church,” creates a sense of emphasis and reinforces the central message of the poem.
In conclusion, Reasons For Attendance is a powerful and poignant poem that explores the themes of loneliness, isolation, and the human need for connection. Larkin’s use of simple language and repetition creates a sense of rhythm and continuity, and his exploration of the various motivations for attending church speaks to the complexity of human nature. The poem is a reflection on the decline of organized religion and the loss of community that comes with it, and it speaks to the universal human need for belonging and connection.
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