"Harvard was a kind of luxurious afternoon"

Lincoln Kirstein's quote, "Harvard was a kind of luxurious afternoon," welcomes several layers of analysis, each assessing the unique experience and understanding of his time at the prominent organization.

To start with, the images of a "glamorous afternoon" invokes a sense of leisure, convenience, and extravagance. An afternoon typically conjures up a period of relaxation, a break from the rigors of the day, where one can bask in warmth and contemplation. For Kirstein, Harvard might have represented a similarly idealized period in his life, characterized by intellectual stimulation, individual growth, and the luxury of engaging with knowledge and culture at a leisurely, immersive speed. The word "luxurious" suggests access to resources, opportunities, and environments that are abundant and extensive, much like the offerings of an afternoon devoted to one's own interests and pursuits.

Additionally, the contrast to an afternoon could indicate that Kirstein viewed his time at Harvard as temporal, possibly even fleeting. Just as an afternoon eventually gives way to evening, the Harvard experience is however a limited chapter in the wider course of one's life. This understanding encapsulates a bittersweet appreciation, acknowledging both the charm and the impermanence of those collegiate years.

Kirstein might likewise be acknowledging the advantage intrinsic in going to an institution like Harvard. In likening it to a "glamorous afternoon," he discreetly nods to the fortunate position of having the ability to go to such a university, one that offers an education improved by custom, prestige, and limitless possibilities akin to a leisurely afternoon where one is totally free to explore, reflect, and enjoy plentiful offerings.

In a more comprehensive sense, Kirstein's words show an individual fond memories, a reflective appearance back at a time that was undoubtedly essential, filled with discovery and the high-end to absorb and engage exceptionally with the world around him. His metaphor casts Harvard not just as an instructional experience, however as a valued and meaningful interlude, an expressive sign of a developmental, golden age in his life.