'Best Society' by Philip Larkin
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When I was a child, I thought,
Casually, that solitude
Never needed to be sought.
Something everybody had,
Like nakedness, it lay at hand,
Not specially right or specially wrong,
A plentiful and obvious thing
Not at all hard to understand.
Then, after twenty, it became
At once more difficult to get
And more desired - though all the same
More undesirable; for what
You are alone has, to achieve
The rank of fact, to be expressed
In terms of others, or it's just
A compensating make-believe.
Much better stay in company!
To love you must have someone else,
Giving requires a legatee,
Good neighbours need whole parishfuls
Of folk to do it on - in short,
Our virtues are all social; if,
Deprived of solitude, you chafe,
It's clear you're not the virtuous sort.
Viciously, then, I lock my door.
The gas-fire breathes. The wind outside
Ushers in evening rain. Once more
Uncontradicting solitude
Supports me on its giant palm;
And like a sea-anemone
Or simple snail, there cautiously
Unfolds, emerges, what I am.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Best Society: An Analysis of Philip Larkin's Poem
Philip Larkin is often considered one of the most important poets of the 20th century. Known for his bleak, melancholic tone and his focus on everyday life, Larkin's work often reflects a sense of alienation and isolation in modern society. One of his most famous poems, "Best Society," is a scathing critique of the class system in Britain and the superficiality of high society.
The Poem
The poem consists of four stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is AABB, and the meter is iambic tetrameter, giving the poem a singsong quality that belies its biting critique. The first stanza sets the tone:
When I was a child, I thought,
Casually, that solitude
Never needed to be sought.
Something everybody had,
Like nakedness, it lay at hand,
Not specially right or specially wrong,
A plentiful and obvious thing
Not at all hard to understand.
In these lines, Larkin reflects on his childhood and his early understanding of solitude. He notes that he thought of it as something that was always present, like nakedness. This imagery is interesting, as it suggests that solitude is something that is inherent to human nature, like our physical bodies. However, Larkin quickly undercuts this idea, noting that as he grew older, he realized that solitude was not something that was easily accessible to everyone.
The second stanza provides an example of this in the form of a social gathering:
Then, after twenty years,
It seemed that solitude was rare:
To make it plentiful as tears,
Became my aim: I sought it everywhere,
And found, instead, a fear.
Here, Larkin reflects on how as he grew older, he began to realize that solitude was not as readily available as he had once thought. Rather, it was something that had to be actively sought out, and even then, it was often elusive. He notes that he began to actively seek out solitude, but instead of finding it, he found fear. This fear is likely related to the realization that solitude is not a natural state for humans, and that it is often difficult to achieve in a society that values social interaction and status.
The third stanza focuses on the idea of "Best Society," or the upper class:
It had become unfashionable
To think of solitude as a return,
As the opposite of being with others,
It was that emptiness they tried to burn.
Here, Larkin critiques the upper class and their obsession with socializing. He notes that the idea of solitude as a desirable state had become unfashionable, and that instead, the upper class sought to fill any emptiness they felt with social interaction. This idea is particularly interesting in light of the fact that Larkin himself was part of the middle class, and often felt alienated from both the upper and working classes.
The final stanza brings the poem to a close, with Larkin reflecting on his own relationship with solitude:
But sometimes only an inescapable sorrow,
Took pity on my desperate state,
And I lamented with lamentable gusto,
Not weeks, but whole years, wasted in sighs,
Leaning over garden gates, wondering when
Something, anything, would happen.
Here, Larkin acknowledges that while he often sought out solitude, he also experienced moments of profound sadness and loneliness. He notes that he wasted years of his life in a state of constant yearning, waiting for something to happen that would bring him out of his solitude. This sense of longing and dissatisfaction is a common theme in Larkin's work, and reflects his overall critique of modern society as empty and unfulfilling.
Interpretation
At its core, "Best Society" is a critique of the class system in Britain and the way that it values social status and interaction over solitude and introspection. Larkin is particularly critical of the upper class, whom he sees as superficial and obsessed with maintaining appearances. He notes that the idea of solitude as a desirable state has become unfashionable, and that even those who seek it out often find themselves unable to achieve it.
One of the most interesting aspects of the poem is the way that Larkin uses imagery to convey his ideas. The image of nakedness in the first stanza is particularly powerful, as it suggests that solitude is something that is inherent to human nature. However, Larkin quickly undercuts this idea, noting that as he grew older, he realized that solitude was not as readily available as he had once thought. This contrast between the natural state of humans and the way that society operates is a recurring theme in Larkin's work, and reflects his overall critique of modern life.
Another interesting aspect of the poem is the way that Larkin uses language. The iambic tetrameter gives the poem a singsong quality that belies its biting critique. The rhyme scheme, too, is interesting, as it creates a sense of order and symmetry that contrasts with the chaotic nature of modern life. This contrast between order and chaos is another recurring theme in Larkin's work, and reflects his overall sense of disillusionment with society.
Overall, "Best Society" is a powerful and evocative poem that reflects Larkin's critique of modern society. Through his use of imagery and language, he conveys a sense of alienation and isolation that is both profound and deeply unsettling. While the poem is certainly bleak, it is also a testament to Larkin's skill as a poet, and his ability to capture the essence of modern life in all its complexity and contradictions.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Best Society: A Critical Analysis
Philip Larkin’s poem, Best Society, is a satirical commentary on the superficiality and pretentiousness of high society. The poem is a scathing critique of the social elite, who are obsessed with status and appearances, and who are willing to sacrifice their authenticity and individuality to fit into the mold of what is considered “best society”. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, literary devices, and the overall message of the poem.
The poem is structured in three stanzas, each consisting of four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, and the meter is iambic tetrameter. The poem’s structure and form are simple and straightforward, which contrasts with the complexity of the themes and ideas that it explores.
The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem. Larkin begins by stating that “What’s wrong with you, that you should waste / Your time on silly books and rhymes?” This line is a direct attack on the poet and the literary world. Larkin is suggesting that the literary world is frivolous and unimportant, and that the social elite have no time for such things. The second line, “Instead of painting, music, wine, / And endless idle talk and shine?” reinforces this idea. The social elite are more interested in superficial pleasures and idle chatter than in intellectual pursuits.
The second stanza continues the critique of the social elite. Larkin writes, “What’s wrong with you, that you should find / Your pleasure in the written line?” Here, Larkin is suggesting that the literary world is not only unimportant but also unenjoyable. The third line, “Instead of diamonds, pearls, and fur, / And all the things that never were?” reinforces the idea that the social elite are more interested in material possessions than in intellectual or artistic pursuits.
The third stanza is the most critical of all. Larkin writes, “What’s wrong with you, that you should prize / This dull, dead, dry, and dusty guise?” Here, Larkin is suggesting that the social elite are not only superficial but also boring and unoriginal. The second line, “Instead of wit, and charm, and grace, / And all the things that give a face?” reinforces this idea. The social elite are more interested in conforming to a certain image than in being themselves.
Throughout the poem, Larkin uses several literary devices to convey his message. The most prominent of these is irony. Larkin is using irony to criticize the social elite for their superficiality and pretentiousness. He is suggesting that the things that they value are not valuable at all, and that the things that they dismiss are the things that truly matter.
Another literary device that Larkin uses is repetition. The repetition of the phrase “What’s wrong with you” in each stanza emphasizes the poem’s central theme. Larkin is suggesting that there is something fundamentally wrong with the social elite and their values.
The poem’s message is clear: the social elite are superficial, pretentious, and unoriginal. They are more interested in conforming to a certain image than in being themselves. They value material possessions and superficial pleasures over intellectual and artistic pursuits. Larkin is suggesting that this is a problem, and that we should strive to be more authentic and individualistic.
In conclusion, Best Society is a scathing critique of the social elite and their values. Larkin is using irony and repetition to emphasize the poem’s central theme: that the social elite are superficial, pretentious, and unoriginal. The poem’s message is clear: we should strive to be more authentic and individualistic, and to value intellectual and artistic pursuits over material possessions and superficial pleasures. Best Society is a timeless poem that continues to resonate with readers today.
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