Critical thinking

In W.H. Auden’s essay titled “Poetry as Memorable Speech”, he talks about how even though there are many types of poetic language used in poetry, even the simpler language can be memorable. Any type of language that makes us think or inspires certain emotions can be considered memorable. Different poems will do this to different people. Certain lines or themes may invite us to remember things that happened in our past or resonate with us based on our personal beliefs.

In Philip Larkin’s poem, Reasons for Attendance, he describes a scene where he is standing outside of a bar or dance club watching the people inside. This poem has many pieces of memorable speech to me.

“ 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 lions share

Of happiness is found by couples – Sheer

Inaccuracy, as far as I am concerned.”

This particular section reminds me of weekends spent drinking uptown in Athens. When I hear this section I immediately go to memories of walking down Court Street and looking into the bars and seeing the commotion of all the other college aged kids. There always is a feeling that many of the people are looking for sexual experiences, couples or not, when you look into the bar windows. There is always someone on somebody’s lap or dancing on someone. Larkin’s tone is similar to mine. He wonders why they do this because he does not feel like that it the place for him. He gives off the impression that he would rather be somewhere more quiet enjoying himself. “But not for me, nor I for them; and so/ With happiness. Therefore I stay outside”. The voice sticks with me because it sounds like something that would be going through my head while being in the same situation.

Auden says, “The test of a poet is the frequency and diversity of the occasions on which we remember his poetry”. While I may not think of this poem every time I am up town, probably due to the state in which I am in during those occasions, It is the type of poem that if I were up there sober I would remember. The poem does not specifically say that he is sober at the time but the experience of being outside looking in reminds of being the only sober one at a party. You are able to look around and really wonder ‘why do I ever do this’. Memorable speech does not have to be about anything major such as a death or beauty as long as it makes you think. Larkin seems to have a indifferent tone until the very end where he says “Or I lied”. This make you wonder if he was saying this and then coming to the realization that he does in fact want to be in the bar sharing in the chaos. He seems a little unsure if maybe under different circumstances someone else migh be standing outside looking in ad seeing him in there.