Reasons for Attendance
Reasons for Attendance - meaning Summary
Outsider Choosing Art
The poem presents a speaker watching young dancers and weighing two pulls: communal sexual pleasure and a private response to art. He suggests sex is mistakenly assumed to hold the lion’s share of happiness, while the trumpet-like call of art affirms his individuality and keeps him on the outside. The poem ends with sober ambiguity: both modes can satisfy unless someone misjudges or lies about their motives.
Read Complete AnalysesThe 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.
Feel free to be first to leave comment.