This is a 4 page document that acts as a thorough essay plan and revision resource, produced by a student who achieved all A* at A level. It is split into an analysis of the poem itself, context, form, structure, language and ideas. (Hence touching upon all A0s assessed in the A level poetry exam.)
The title creates an expectation that a
justification of presence will be
provided in this poem. In this case, the
speaker attempts to justify why he
remains outside the glass of a dance
‘Reasons for Attendance’ while others enjoy themselves inside.
This is a poem about a detached observer looking inward into a room of dancers but always
remaining outside. At first, the speaker contemplates whether entering would make him happy, as
he is allured by the young women inside, yet as the poem progresses he concludes that there are
other ways to pursue happiness, as sex is only disappointing. This is therefore a poem about the
struggle to find happiness, and by the end the speaker concludes that we all have our own beliefs
about this, whether we pursue sex or the beauty of classic art. The speaker however believes he has
a deeper understanding than those who follow social expectation and convention, though by the
end he still questions whether anyone will really know the key to happiness.
Different themes:
Isolation and detachment
Happiness
Sexuality
Key poems to link to and why:
Places, Loved Ones- similar sense of isolation
Lines on a Young Lady’s Photograph Album- male gaze
Dry Point- the idea of sex as disappointing, bringing no gratification
Next, Please- pursuit of happiness and freedom; not taking opportunity
Coming- false ideas of happiness and naivety
Contextual links:
Written in 1950s- expectation of marriage. Larkin himself did not conform to this.
This poem links a lot to the title of the collection
Key aspects of form and structure:
There is not a rigid rhyme scheme in the poem- there is a use both half rhymes and full
rhymes; perhaps this contrast mirrors the opposing beliefs discussed in the poem, and the
lack of certainty that is conveyed through unanswered questions.
Could argue the poem has a loose iambic pentameter.
Key methods and arguments of the poem:
The first stanza describes how the speaker first sees the young dancing women, and how for a
moment he is drawn to their calls, almost hypnotised:
The poem opens with the ‘trumpets voice’- almost like a ceremonial, traditional fanfare
introduction that draws the speaker in.
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