Student Question
What does the expression "that forlorn orchestra to whose piping no one dances" signify in "Dusk" by Saki?
Quick answer:
The expression "that forlorn orchestra to whose piping no one dances" in Saki's "Dusk" signifies individuals who are ignored and receive no sympathy from society. The elderly gentleman in the story represents this group, as he is no longer valued or noticed by others, living out his days in obscurity and insignificance.
In this satirical short story of Saki's, Norman Gortsby is an unsympathetic, cynical observer of the elderly gentleman "with a drooping air of defiance" who sits on the park bence by his side. As Gortsby observes, the gentleman's clothes are not exactly shabby, but he has the appearance of one who does not have any extra income for the purchase of frivolous articles such as a box of chocolates.
He belonged unmistakably to that forlorn orchestra to whose piping no one dances; he was one of the world's lamenters who induce no responsive weeping.
In other words, the older gentleman belongs to the social group of people to whom no one would bother paying attention or provide any sympathy. As an elderly man, he is on the fringe of society, no longer of use in the business world or social world. His sorrows are of no concern to anyone other than, perhaps, a close relative. As he departs, Gortsby imagines that he returns to a house where he is ignored and considered of no importance.
In Saki's "Dusk," explain "that forlorn orchestra to whose piping no one dances."
Saki's short story "Dusk" presents people in a park who partake in that time of day that is neither day nor night. In this "gloaming" period they pass along the walks unnoticed. On the bench beside Gortsby sits an elderly gentleman with "a drooping air of defiance."
He belonged to that forlorn orchestra to whose piping no one dances; he was one of the world's lamenters who induce no responsive weeping.
The quote means that the older man may have been someone of import in his earlier years, but now he was what others might label a "pensioner," a man simply living out the remainder of his days unnoticed and unvalued. In fact, as he departs Gortsby gives him no more thought than to imagine that he returns to some mere lodging where he lives in dull habitude from week to week.
Get Ahead with eNotes
Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.
Already a member? Log in here.