Why is "waistcoat" modified by "leering" in the poem “A German Requiem"?

Question

In the fifth line from the third stanza of "A German Requiem", the word *waistcoat* is modified by *leering*. I can understand *waistcoat* is personified as a person here. Is this person the priest? And why is this person *leering*? I cannot get any clue from the context. So I was thinking maybe there are some cultural background behind this? Below is the stanza: > How comforting it is, once or twice a year, To get together and forget the old times. As on those special days, ladies and gentlemen, When the boiled shirts gather at the graveside And a leering waistcoat approaches the rostrum. It is like a solemn pact between the survivors. They mayor has signed it on behalf of the freemasonry. The priest has sealed it on behalf of all the rest. Nothing more need be said, and it is better that way- Here is the link to the poem. <https://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-german-requiem/>

Answer 1

You're on the right track with wondering if there is a cultural background to this poem. I would suggest doing research on the author and the time this poem was made for more context.

As for the specific reason why there is a waistcoat instead of any other type of clothing paired with "leering" take the setting into consideration; where are they?. There is one more piece of clothing that is personified in this section. Where are they standing vs the waistcoat?

Also take into consideration what "leering" means. In what context does this word usually show up in other works or descriptions? After taking into consideration their setting, the word "leering" can reveal just how the author felt about this event and the people taking part in it.