The poem is narrated on a train journey which is 'three-quarters empty' during a hot summers day, where the poet witnesses a wedding during the 'whitsun' period.
As always, Larkin displays his detestation towards the modern world. The word 'industrial' is characterised by industry which uses the most up-to-date techniques and is associated with man made products. The idea that the modern world is destroying the natural world is expressed here. A canal is related to beauty, however the unpleasant 'froth' is a representation of the modern world, which reflects upon the damage caused to the natural surroundings. Nevertheless, Larkin explains towns as 'new and nondescript' which indicates how modern society lacks distinctive and interesting features, they all blend together and become unmemorable. The people in it are also pushed into the same social expectations, reducing originality.
'Girls in parodies of fashion, heels and veils'
Larkin critises the appearance of the 'girls' who attend the wedding. To begin with, the fact that he names them 'girls' signifies Larkin's perception of women as he finds them naive and unsophisticated. 'Parodies' highlights how the girls were dressed humourously and were imitating a certain style which made them look hideous and repellent. The poet describes how 'veils' were worn which implies the desperate desire to marry and the need to feel wanted, however these particular girls are undesirable.
'The fathers with broad belts' 'Mothers loud and fat'
Larkin is openly critical about women in an ungracious manner. He states that the mothers were 'fat' however the fathers only had 'broad belts.' Gender-stereo typing is used here as women are perceived as repulsive with no dignity or state of being worthy. Yet the only hint the reader receives about the male's weight is a 'broad belt' which demonstrates Larkins critical views on these strangers, but also how the male is regarded as more graceful than the female.
'The nylon gloves and the jewellery-substitues'
The working class are regarded as grotesque and tacky as nothing is real. The people involved in this wedding wore 'Jewellery-substitues' which shows how they are unable to afford actual diamonds, Larkin is repulsed by this. Nevertheless, 'nylon' is man made which reinforces the concept of modernisation. Larkin is repulsed by the amount of fake items involved in the wedding and he is openly critical about it. Larkin also criticises the working class as he describes the 'cafes' and 'coach party annexes' which makes the wedding sound cheap, unpleasant and sickening.
'The secret like a happy funeral'
The oxymoron 'happy funeral' means the wedding is a ceremony of the end. Marriage is seen as a burden and a misfortune that causes worry, hardship and distress. Larkin doesn't perceive marriage as happiness, in fact he views it as a 'funeral' connoting unhappiness and grief. Hopefully the 'dozen marriages' won't be thinking about 'the others they would never meet.' This brings forward the idea that once you're married opportunity's with new people begin to close because life is now contained with commitment to one person.
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