'Church Going' by Philip Larkin
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Once I am sure there's nothing going on
I step inside, letting the door thud shut.
Another church: matting, seats, and stone,
And little books; sprawlings of flowers, cut
For Sunday, brownish now; some brass and stuff
Up at the holy end; the small neat organ;
And a tense, musty, unignorable silence,
Brewed God knows how long. Hatless, I take off
My cycle-clips in awkward reverence,
Move forward, run my hand around the font.
From where I stand, the roof looks almost new-
Cleaned or restored? Someone would know: I don't.
Mounting the lectern, I peruse a few
Hectoring large-scale verses, and pronounce
"Here endeth" much more loudly than I'd meant.
The echoes snigger briefly. Back at the door
I sign the book, donate an Irish sixpence,
Reflect the place was not worth stopping for.Yet stop I did: in fact I often do,
And always end much at a loss like this,
Wondering what to look for; wondering, too,
When churches fall completely out of use
What we shall turn them into, if we shall keep
A few cathedrals chronically on show,
Their parchment, plate, and pyx in locked cases,
And let the rest rent-free to rain and sheep.
Shall we avoid them as unlucky places?Or, after dark, will dubious women come
To make their children touch a particular stone;
Pick simples for a cancer; or on some
Advised night see walking a dead one?
Power of some sort or other will go on
In games, in riddles, seemingly at random;
But superstition, like belief, must die,
And what remains when disbelief has gone?
Grass, weedy pavement, brambles, buttress, sky,A shape less recognizable each week,
A purpose more obscure. I wonder who
Will be the last, the very last, to seek
This place for what it was; one of the crew
That tap and jot and know what rood-lofts were?
Some ruin-bibber, randy for antique,
Or Christmas-addict, counting on a whiff
Of gown-and-bands and organ-pipes and myrrh?
Or will he be my representative,Bored, uninformed, knowing the ghostly silt
Dispersed, yet tending to this cross of ground
Through suburb scrub because it held unspilt
So long and equably what since is found
Only in separation -- marriage, and birth,
And death, and thoughts of these -- for whom was built
This special shell? For, though I've no idea
What this accoutred frowsty barn is worth,
It pleases me to stand in silence here;A serious house on serious earth it is,
In whose blent air all our compulsions meet,
Are recognised, and robed as destinies.
And that much never can be obsolete,
Since someone will forever be surprising
A hunger in himself to be more serious,
And gravitating with it to this ground,
Which, he once heard, was proper to grow wise in,
If only that so many dead lie round.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Introduction
Church Going is one of the most famous poems by Philip Larkin, a renowned British poet. It was published in 1955, and it remains one of the most popular poems in modern English literature. The poem is a reflection on the role of religion in modern society, and it explores the themes of faith, doubt, and the search for meaning in a world that seems increasingly secular.
In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the various themes and motifs present in Church Going, as well as the historical and social context in which the poem was written. We will examine Larkin's use of language, imagery, and symbolism to convey his message, and we will attempt to unravel the complex layers of meaning that make this poem so compelling and enduring.
Context and Background
To fully appreciate Church Going, it is important to understand the historical and social context in which it was written. The 1950s were a time of great change in Britain, and the post-war era saw a shift away from traditional values and institutions. Religion, once a central part of British life, was losing its grip on the public imagination, and many people were beginning to question the authority of the church.
Larkin was a product of this changing society, and his poetry reflects the anxieties and uncertainties of the time. He was deeply skeptical of organized religion, and he saw the church as a relic of a bygone era, a symbol of a world that was disappearing before his eyes.
Analysis
Structure
Church Going is written in free verse, and it consists of seven stanzas of varying lengths. The poem is divided into two parts, with the first four stanzas setting the scene and the final three stanzas exploring the poet's thoughts and feelings.
The poem is characterized by a slow, measured pace, with each stanza building on the previous one to create a sense of momentum and inevitability. The use of enjambment, where one line flows into the next without pause, creates a sense of continuity and fluidity, and this helps to reinforce the idea that the poet is on a journey of discovery.
Language
Larkin's use of language in Church Going is simple and direct, yet rich in meaning. The poem is written in the first person, and the poet's voice is clear and unmistakable. The language is informal and colloquial, with Larkin using everyday words and phrases to convey his message.
One of the most striking aspects of the language in Church Going is the use of repetition. Larkin repeats certain words and phrases throughout the poem, such as "another church," "silence," and "seriousness." This repetition creates a sense of rhythm and pattern, and it helps to unify the poem and give it a sense of coherence.
Imagery
Larkin's use of imagery in Church Going is subtle but powerful. The poem is full of vivid descriptions of the church and its surroundings, and these descriptions help to create a sense of place and atmosphere.
One of the most striking images in the poem is the description of the church as a "serious house on serious earth." This image is both evocative and ambiguous, and it suggests that the church is a place of great significance, but also a place that is rooted in the physical world.
Another memorable image in the poem is the description of the church as a "tame cat turned savage." This image is both humorous and unsettling, and it suggests that the church, once a harmless and comforting presence, has become something more dangerous and unpredictable.
Symbolism
Larkin's use of symbolism in Church Going is subtle and nuanced. The poem is full of symbols and metaphorical images, and these symbols help to convey the poet's message in a powerful and evocative way.
One of the most important symbols in the poem is the church itself. The church is a symbol of tradition, stability, and continuity, but it is also a symbol of the past. By visiting the church, the poet is engaging with his own history and heritage, but he is also confronting the limitations of tradition and the difficulties of finding meaning in a rapidly changing world.
Another important symbol in the poem is the poet's bicycle. The bicycle is a symbol of freedom and mobility, but it is also a symbol of transience and impermanence. By riding his bicycle to the church, the poet is symbolically moving through time and space, and he is confronting the transience of human life and the inevitability of change.
Themes
Church Going explores a number of important themes, including faith, doubt, tradition, and the search for meaning in a secular world. The poem is concerned with the role of religion in modern society, and it reflects the anxieties and uncertainties of a world that is losing its sense of purpose and direction.
One of the central themes of the poem is the tension between tradition and modernity. The church is a symbol of tradition and stability, but it is also a symbol of the past. The poet is struggling to reconcile his own sense of history and heritage with the demands of a rapidly changing world, and this tension is reflected in the poem's imagery and language.
Another important theme in the poem is the search for meaning in a secular world. The poet is searching for something that will give his life meaning and purpose, but he is unable to find it in the church. The poem suggests that meaning and purpose must be found within oneself, and that traditional institutions such as the church may no longer be able to provide the answers that people are looking for.
Conclusion
Church Going is a powerful and evocative poem that explores some of the most important themes in modern English literature. Larkin's use of language, imagery, and symbolism is subtle and nuanced, and he manages to convey a sense of depth and complexity in a relatively short space.
The poem is a reflection on the role of religion in modern society, and it raises important questions about tradition, modernity, and the search for meaning in a secular world. It is a timeless work of literature that continues to resonate with readers today, and it remains one of the most important poems in the English language.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Church Going: A Masterpiece of Modern Poetry
Philip Larkin's "Church Going" is a masterpiece of modern poetry that explores the themes of religion, mortality, and the human condition. The poem is a reflection on the decline of religious faith in modern society and the search for meaning in a world that seems increasingly devoid of it. Larkin's use of language and imagery is masterful, and his exploration of these themes is both profound and thought-provoking.
The poem begins with the speaker entering an empty church, and immediately we are struck by the sense of stillness and quiet that pervades the space. The speaker is clearly not a religious person, but he is drawn to the church nonetheless. He describes the building in detail, noting the architecture, the stained glass windows, and the various religious artifacts that adorn the space. He seems to be searching for something, but he is not sure what it is.
As the poem progresses, the speaker begins to reflect on the nature of religion and its place in modern society. He notes that the church is no longer the center of community life, as it once was. He wonders what will become of these buildings once they are no longer used for religious purposes. Will they become museums, or will they simply be abandoned and left to decay?
The speaker's musings on the decline of religion are particularly poignant in light of the fact that Larkin himself was an atheist. He saw religion as a relic of the past, something that had lost its relevance in modern society. Yet, he was also acutely aware of the human need for meaning and purpose, and he recognized that religion had once provided that for many people.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is Larkin's use of language and imagery. He describes the church in vivid detail, using words like "cold," "damp," and "silent" to create a sense of emptiness and desolation. He also uses religious imagery, such as the "altar cloth" and the "cross" to remind us of the church's former significance. These images are juxtaposed with more mundane details, such as the "bicycle clips" and the "booted feet" of the speaker, which serve to emphasize the contrast between the sacred and the profane.
Another important theme in the poem is mortality. The speaker reflects on the fact that the church has been standing for centuries, and that it will likely continue to stand long after he is gone. He wonders what will become of him, and whether he will be remembered at all. This sense of mortality is heightened by the fact that the speaker is in a church, a place where people go to contemplate their own mortality and the afterlife.
Despite its bleak themes, "Church Going" is ultimately a hopeful poem. The speaker may be searching for meaning in a world that seems devoid of it, but he is still searching. He is still looking for something that will give his life purpose and significance. And in the end, he finds it in the very act of searching. As he leaves the church, he realizes that he has found "a serious house on serious earth," a place where he can contemplate the mysteries of life and find some measure of peace.
In conclusion, "Church Going" is a masterpiece of modern poetry that explores the themes of religion, mortality, and the human condition. Larkin's use of language and imagery is masterful, and his exploration of these themes is both profound and thought-provoking. The poem is a reminder that even in a world that seems devoid of meaning, there is still hope. There is still the possibility of finding something that will give our lives purpose and significance. And that is a message that is as relevant today as it was when Larkin wrote this poem over half a century ago.
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