What is the central theme of “Reasons for Attendance”?
Intellectualism versus physical desire
Rough essay paragraphs plan (topics)
Paragraph 1 - the persona is attracted to the sensual nature of the dance hall
Paragraph 2 - the persona questions the importance of sexual interaction and lust
Paragraph 3 - persona concludes that his natural calling is art, as he is increasingly intellectual
Paragraph 4 - ambiguous ending, suggesting deception
What quotes + analysis can be used to illustrate the persona’s initial attraction to the Dance hall (paragraph 1)
+ “The trumpet’s voice, loud and authoritative”
- personification of trumpet - indicates how the bustle and sensuality of the dance hall beckons to the persona, naturally interesting and attracting him
+ “Face to flushed face”
- alliteration of uncomfortable “f” - indicates the persona’s initial, natural desire for sex and physicality, as he longs to experiencep the sexual tension of the dancing
+ The first stanza features no regular rhythm, demonstrating the persona’ uncertainty as to wether he should indulge in this pleasure
What quotes + analysis can be used to depict the persona’s questioning of this natural physical desire (paragraph 2)
+ “Why be out here? But then, why be in there?”
- rhetorical question
- the persona is weighing up the pros and cons of the dance hall, deciding wether or not he should indulge in such pleasure
+ “Sex, yes, but what is sex?”
- rhetorical question
- persona challenges societal norms, as he questions why humans prioritise sex so highly - suggesting it is insignificant
+ “To think the lion’s share of happiness is found by couples - sheer inaccuracy”
- inter-stanzic enjambement
- creates a pause that emphasises the persona’s controversial belief: that happiness can be found without human interaction.
What quotes + analysis can be used to demonstrate the persona’s decision that his calling is art (paragraph 3)
+ “What calls me is that lifted, rough-tongued bell”
- metaphor of bell
- elevated nature of bell indicates that his calling is superior and of higher intellectuality + it is subjective and persistent (rough-tongued)
+ “I too am individual”
- word choice
- indicates persona’s intellectual ability to confide and find happiness within himself
+ Third stanza features an iambic pentameter rhythm, indicating the persona’s increased certainty of his decision.
What quote + analysis can be used to demonstrate the poem’s ambiguous ending (paragraph 4)
“If no one has misjudged himself. Or lied.”
- ambiguity
- has the persona been lying + are those in the dance hall lying
- final short sentence
- emphasises misconception and creates an accusative tone of those liars.
Introduction:
+ The poem “Reasons for Attendance” by Philip Larkin, depicts and develops the theme of intellectualism versus physical desire, as the persona decides wether or not to enter a public dance hall and, therefore, indulge in this sensual atmosphere.
+ persona is conflicted by idea, but finally concludes he does not require this sexual interaction, as he is intellectual and is engaged by art
+ however, persona suggests lying in one’s true desire and calling in ambiguous ending
+ use of poetic techniques such as inter-stanzaic enjambement develop this interesting theme, as the persona undergoes an existential decision in a matter of minutes.
Conclusion:
+ the poem…by…features an interesting theme, which is developed throughout the course of the poem, of intellectualism versus physical desire
+ the persona’s conflicting opinions reflects the battle between natural lust and intelligence - which occurs inside many
+ final conclusion of intellectual calling is definite, but made ambiguous by ending
+ use of poetic techniques, such as imagery, ultimately illustrates the subjective, individual nature of one’s calling, and the constant battle between solitude and human interaction.
How many l’s does the author’s first name have?
1
Philip
