The Whitsun Weddings Phillip Larkin

Poem moves from description to meditation. Inspired by a journey. Conversational Matter  "That whitsun I was late getting away" Sense of ease and relaxation as he settles into his journey. Image of wonderful simplicity evoking the beauty and harmony of the rural landscape as train races into the countryside Contrasting Images of rural and urban landscapes. Urban landscape glimpsed through window = nondescript , uncongenial, lamenting effect of the industrialization Stanzas 3 - 7 focus of the poem shifts to the wedding parties who crowd on the station platform. Speaker has a condescending attitude = notices what they are wearing, suggest that their attire is cheap. Speakers tone is described as mocking, condescending. Describing the working class parties. The mothers are "loud and fat" the fathers are unused to wearing suits " broad belts" . As more couples board the train, thinks about the wedding reception. Sense of snobbery. Mothers on platform share a secret, marriage not only represents romantic adventure, but also demanding and difficult routine. Unmarried women seem tense "gripping handbags tighter" stare agitated at newly married couples.  From observation he realizes that all these couples will never meet again after their journey is over. All now at the starting point of their first hour of married life  Comments on the landscape- urbanized. Train crosses knots of rails and heads for station. Journey is about to end, couples will go their separate ways. Poem ends with a moment of insight. 

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