Modesty, propriety can lead to notoriety
You could end up as the only one
Gentleness, sobriety are rare in this society
At night a candle's brighter than the sun
Is he telling us NOT to be modest and proper? Or is he telling us to "ignore people who think you're notorious because you're modest and proper, and it doesn't matter if you end up alone as a consequence"?
As for the candle, is it useful only at night? What is the message in this statement? It almost sounds like it has the opposite spirit compared to the rest of the song, namely that you should only display your personality (candle) privately (at night).
Am I totally getting this wrong?
The lines "Modesty, propriety .......brighter than the sun" refer to the lack of politeness and chivalry that one associates with English mannerisms. So modesty, propriety could single him out and make him notorious, although these are things one should try and attain, since these "proper" mannerism are rare in the New York culture. The last line alludes to the fact that while during day time, we don't particularly notice sunlight because it's everywhere, at night, a candle also grabs our attention. So, the while modesty, propriety, gentleness, sobriety are visible everywhere like sunlight in England , in New York, one man with these qualities stand out like a candle at night.
I don't really get the part that goes
Modesty, propriety can lead to notoriety You could end up as the only one Gentleness, sobriety are rare in this society At night a candle's brighter than the sun
Is he telling us NOT to be modest and proper? Or is he telling us to "ignore people who think you're notorious because you're modest and proper, and it doesn't matter if you end up alone as a consequence"?
As for the candle, is it useful only at night? What is the message in this statement? It almost sounds like it has the opposite spirit compared to the rest of the song, namely that you should only display your personality (candle) privately (at night). Am I totally getting this wrong?
@ doesnot compute
@ doesnot compute
The lines "Modesty, propriety .......brighter than the sun" refer to the lack of politeness and chivalry that one associates with English mannerisms. So modesty, propriety could single him out and make him notorious, although these are things one should try and attain, since these "proper" mannerism are rare in the New York culture. The last line alludes to the fact that while during day time, we don't particularly notice sunlight because it's everywhere, at night, a candle also grabs our attention. So, the while modesty, propriety, gentleness, sobriety are visible everywhere like sunlight in England , in New York, one man with these qualities stand out like a candle at night.
hope that helped
Much better. Thanks!
Much better. Thanks!