A Subaltern's Love Song by John Betjeman



A Subaltern's Love Song by John Betjeman

Analysis

The character Miss J. Hunter Dunn was based on Joan Jackson, a real life acquaintance of Betjeman. The poem is based on the instant infatuation of the author that spawned a friendship lasting nearly fifty years. The author himself is the speaker in the poem. Jackson herself liked the playfulness of it when Betjeman first read it to her. She was known to be a skilled tennis player from her days in private school. The town of Aldershot boasts a locally renowned tennis club where Jackson cut her teeth in the game. It is not the military definition of subaltern that is used here but the one referring to someone in an inferior position. Betjeman is mocking himself for losing at tennis in his fantasy (Stallworthy, 1976).

Jackson was part of a wealthy family whose station afforded them social opportunities to join golf clubs. An evening tie would be required for their outing at such a place. Notice that Betjeman playfully mocks his lack of grace with the tie but praises the dexterity of his tennis partner. Hillman is a British automaker. “The light in your hair” is an iconic image that the author will remember when they are married and Jackson's radiance has long since faded. A road “not adopted” would be tiny road not large enough recognized as a thoroughfare. The city literally has not adopted it yet and begun to pay for the upkeep (Frederick, 1981).

The “importunate band” refers to a wedding ring. The poet is proposing marriage. Importunate here refers to the solicitation of Jackson's hand in marriage. That choice of words comes about because Betjeman asks for something he should not have. Rather than an equal partnership the author allows us to think Jackson would be giving him a gift above his station. He finds another clever way to show his adoration. “And the ominous, ominous dancing ahead” uses an interesting poetical device. Dancing, while fun, is daunting for the author since he lacks Jackson's grace. By using a pair of words that don't normally flow together Betjeman begs the reader's attention one final time to the seeming mismatch of the lovers.

Reader-Response Approach

When I read an article, book, or any other type of writing in order for it to keep my interest, I can one way or another related to a story. It needs ...