Whatever Happened?
Whatever Happened? - meaning Summary
Adventure Reduced to Memory
Larkin’s poem describes how intense, chaotic experiences quickly recede into safe, diminished memories. Initially vivid and physical, events are rehearsed and photographed, but the next day they become 'kodak-distant'—sanitized and explainable. Perspective and rationalization turn mishap into predictable detail on a map, stripping emotional urgency. In time the dramatic story survives only as anecdote or the occasional nightmare, its original charge dissipated.
Read Complete AnalysesAt once whatever happened starts receding. Panting, and back on board, we line the rail With trousers ripped, light wallets, and lips bleeding. Yes, gone, thank God! Remembering each detail We toss for half the night, but find next day All's kodak-distant. Easily, then (though pale), 'Perspective brings significance,' we say, Unhooding our photometers, and, snap! What can't be printed can be thrown away. Later, it's just a latitude: the map Points out how unavoidable it was: 'Such coastal bedding always means mishap.' Curses? The dark? Struggling? Where's the source Of these yarns now (except in nightmares, of course)?
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