Analysis of The Whitsun Weddings by Philip Larkin
'The Whitsun Weddings' follows Larkin on a train journey from Lincolnshire to London on Whitsun Day, when marriage taxes are free and more people are encouraged to get married.
"all cushions hot" - The train is uncomfortable because of the other people. It's like a bonding experience with the other passengers.
"Canals with floatings of industrial froth" - pollution is making the natural world unpleasant.
"Until the next town, new and nondescript" - so new that is is bland and lacking distinguishing features; it's just the same as any other town.
"grinning and pomaded, girls in parodies of fashion, heels and veils, all posed irresolutely, watcing us go" - Larkin finds the make-up creepy, the women are unsure of what they are doing - maybe they have cold feet
"mothers loud and fat; An uncle shouting smut; and then the perms, The nylon gloves and jewellery-substitutes" - grotesque, unatural and disgusting - cheap tacky working class weddings, 'substitutes' - nothing is real, maybe not even the relationship because they're only getting married because it is cheaper this day. Larkin is bitter and resentful.
"The secret like a happy funderal" - oxymoronic; ceremony of the 'end', comparing wedding to funeral - life is over?
"Thought of the others they would never meet" - they will never have the chance to meet someone new and experience this with someone else, stuck with this person forever now, maybe regretting it.
"all cushions hot" - The train is uncomfortable because of the other people. It's like a bonding experience with the other passengers.
"Canals with floatings of industrial froth" - pollution is making the natural world unpleasant.
"Until the next town, new and nondescript" - so new that is is bland and lacking distinguishing features; it's just the same as any other town.
"grinning and pomaded, girls in parodies of fashion, heels and veils, all posed irresolutely, watcing us go" - Larkin finds the make-up creepy, the women are unsure of what they are doing - maybe they have cold feet
"mothers loud and fat; An uncle shouting smut; and then the perms, The nylon gloves and jewellery-substitutes" - grotesque, unatural and disgusting - cheap tacky working class weddings, 'substitutes' - nothing is real, maybe not even the relationship because they're only getting married because it is cheaper this day. Larkin is bitter and resentful.
"The secret like a happy funderal" - oxymoronic; ceremony of the 'end', comparing wedding to funeral - life is over?
"Thought of the others they would never meet" - they will never have the chance to meet someone new and experience this with someone else, stuck with this person forever now, maybe regretting it.
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