The poem
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.
Larkin is content with his views outside, both are satisfied. If we have come to the right conclusion about ourselves and what we want in life.
Philip Larkin is a great poet, he tends to write aabout an experience he has had and he puts it into words effectively.
This poem is amazing but there is an entire line missing. The first stanza should read,
The trumpets voice, Loud and authoritative
Draws me a moment to the lighted glass
To watch the dancers - all under twenty-five -
Shifting intently, face to flushed face,
Solemnly on the beat of happiness.
the fourth line is completely missing and it is quite an important line in that it shows the reader just how unsure Larkin is about being alone, because he is dreaming about being a part of the group.
I think,
I think that actually Philip Larkin is Discontent with his decision, we don't get wind of this until the final two word "Or lied" displaying that he may have lied to himself. "Solemnly on the beat of happiness" contradicts itself. How can you be solemn and happy? So perhaps the dancers are lying to themselves about how happy they truly are. So if they are lying to themselves about the decisions they made, perhaps so…
Read the whole commentI think that actually Philip Larkin is Discontent with his decision, we don't get wind of this until the final two word "Or lied" displaying that he may have lied to himself. "Solemnly on the beat of happiness" contradicts itself. How can you be solemn and happy? So perhaps the dancers are lying to themselves about how happy they truly are. So if they are lying to themselves about the decisions they made, perhaps so is he... The poem also says "For a moment" This could be because he is uninterested OR because it pains him too much to stay any longer, two contradictory ideas, but both perfectly legible. Philip Larkin is a fantsatic poet who shows life's main goal perfectly - make your decisions wisely and make sure that you are happy with them ....