Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Philip Larkin's "For Sidney Bechet" is an evocative tribute to the jazz musician Sidney Bechet, capturing the essence of his music and its profound impact on the listener. Through vivid imagery and an intimate tone, Larkin conveys the transformative power of Bechet's music, evoking the spirit of New Orleans and the emotional resonance of jazz.

The poem begins with a striking image of a musical note: "That note you hold, narrowing and rising, shakes / Like New Orleans reflected on the water." This opening line immediately sets a tone of reverence and admiration for Bechet's skill, likening his sustained note to the shimmering, dynamic reflection of New Orleans on water. The simile encapsulates the fluidity and vibrancy of Bechet's music, suggesting that it mirrors the city's rich cultural heritage and lively atmosphere.

Larkin continues by exploring the evocative power of Bechet's music, which "in all ears appropriate falsehood wakes." Here, the phrase "appropriate falsehood" suggests that the music conjures a romanticized, perhaps idealized, vision of New Orleans—a "legendary Quarter / Of balconies, flower-baskets and quadrilles." This imagery transports the listener to a nostalgic, almost mythical version of the French Quarter, filled with vibrant scenes of love and communal joy. The music creates a shared fantasy where "Everyone [is] making love and going shares," highlighting the inclusive, unifying nature of jazz.

The imperative "Oh, play that thing!" underscores the immediacy and passion that Bechet's music inspires. Larkin then contrasts the authentic, heartfelt response to Bechet's music with the more performative appreciation of other listeners: "Mute glorious Storyvilles / Others may license, grouping around their chairs / Sporting-house girls like circus tigers (priced / Far above rubies)." This comparison suggests a superficial engagement with the music, where listeners indulge in the exoticism and spectacle of Storyville, the famous red-light district of New Orleans, without fully grasping its deeper emotional and cultural significance.

Larkin further critiques the pretensions of some jazz aficionados, describing them as "scholars manqués" who "nod around unnoticed / Wrapped up in personnels like old plaids." These individuals, who are more concerned with the technical details and historical context of the music, miss the visceral, transformative experience that Bechet's playing offers. The contrast between these detached listeners and the speaker's profound connection to the music underscores Larkin's belief in the power of music to transcend intellectual analysis and reach directly into the soul.

The poem's tone shifts in the final stanza, where Larkin personalizes his response to Bechet's music: "On me your voice falls as they say love should, / Like an enormous yes." This simile conveys the overwhelming, affirmative impact of Bechet's music on the speaker, equating it to the experience of love. The "enormous yes" suggests a sense of acceptance, affirmation, and joy that the music brings. Larkin's "Crescent City" is not just the physical New Orleans but a metaphorical space where Bechet's music is the "natural noise of good," embodying a universal language of positivity and emotional truth.

The closing lines, "Scattering long-haired grief and scored pity," suggest that Bechet's music has the power to dispel sorrow and superficial sentimentality. The "long-haired grief" could symbolize the romanticized melancholy often associated with artistic suffering, while "scored pity" implies a contrived or performed sadness. Bechet's music, in its authenticity and emotional depth, cuts through these affectations, offering a pure and transformative experience.

In "For Sidney Bechet," Larkin masterfully captures the essence of Bechet's music and its profound impact on the listener. Through rich imagery and a deeply personal tone, he celebrates the transcendent power of jazz, which evokes a romanticized vision of New Orleans while also providing a deeply affirmative, emotional experience. The poem stands as a testament to the enduring influence of Sidney Bechet and the timeless, transformative power of music.

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