Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Philip Larkin's "Vers de Société" delves into the complexities and contradictions of social obligations, solitude, and the pursuit of personal fulfillment. The poem's title, translating to "social verses," aptly frames the contemplation of societal expectations and the individual's struggle with them. Through a blend of humor, irony, and introspection, Larkin explores the tension between the desire for solitude and the pressure to conform to social norms.

The poem opens with a sharp and cynical invitation: "My wife and I have asked a crowd of craps / To come and waste their time and ours: perhaps / You’d care to join us? In a pig’s arse, friend." This biting introduction immediately sets a tone of disdain for social gatherings, which the speaker views as pointless and time-wasting. The abrupt dismissal, "In a pig’s arse," underscores the speaker's strong aversion to these events.

Larkin then transitions to a quieter, more reflective scene: "Day comes to an end. / The gas fire breathes, the trees are darkly swayed." This setting provides a backdrop for the speaker's correspondence with "Dear Warlock-Williams." The shift from public to private highlights the speaker's preference for solitude over social interaction.

The poem's core contemplation begins with the admission: "Funny how hard it is to be alone. / I could spend half my evenings, if I wanted, / Holding a glass of washing sherry, canted / Over to catch the drivel of some bitch / Who’s read nothing but Which." Here, the speaker acknowledges the difficulty of achieving true solitude, despite the superficial social engagements that fill time. The derogatory reference to a woman who has read "nothing but Which" exemplifies the speaker's contempt for superficial social interactions and the trivial conversations that often accompany them.

Larkin laments the lost opportunities for meaningful solitude: "Just think of all the spare time that has flown / Straight into nothingness by being filled / With forks and faces, rather than repaid / Under a lamp, hearing the noise of wind, / And looking out to see the moon thinned / To an air-sharpened blade." The imagery contrasts the emptiness of social gatherings with the richness of solitary reflection. The "forks and faces" symbolize the mundane and repetitive nature of social events, while the solitary activities evoke a sense of depth and contemplation.

The speaker reflects on societal expectations: "A life, and yet how sternly it’s instilled / All solitude is selfish." This line reveals the internalized belief that seeking solitude is inherently selfish, a notion reinforced by societal norms. The poem critiques the modern dismissal of the hermit or solitary figure as irrelevant or out of touch: "No one now / Believes the hermit with his gown and dish / Talking to God (who’s gone too); the big wish / Is to have people nice to you, which means / Doing it back somehow."

Larkin questions whether social virtues are genuine or merely performative: "Virtue is social. Are, then, these routines / Playing at goodness, like going to church? / Something that bores us, something we don’t do well / (Asking that ass about his fool research) / But try to feel, because, however crudely, / It shows us what should be?" This rhetorical questioning exposes the performative aspect of social interactions, suggesting that people engage in them not out of genuine interest, but out of a sense of duty or societal expectation.

The poem concludes with a somber reflection on aging and the diminishing allure of solitude: "Only the young can be alone freely. / The time is shorter now for company, / And sitting by a lamp more often brings / Not peace, but other things. / Beyond the light stand failure and remorse / Whispering Dear Warlock-Williams: Why, of course—" These lines convey the inevitability of social obligations as one ages, and the increasing presence of negative emotions such as failure and remorse during moments of solitude. The correspondence with "Dear Warlock-Williams" becomes a metaphor for the speaker's internal dialogue and unresolved conflicts.

"Vers de Société" ultimately captures the paradoxical nature of human relationships and the quest for personal fulfillment. Larkin's use of humor, irony, and vivid imagery highlights the complexities of navigating social expectations while yearning for meaningful solitude. The poem invites readers to reflect on their own social interactions and the delicate balance between societal obligations and personal desires.

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