critical analysis of church going by philip larkin significance of the title church going church going analysis stanza by stanza

 

 critical analysis of church going by philip larkin significance of the title church going church going analysis stanza by stanza 

Critical analysis of Church Going by Philip Larkin

The poem Church Going depicts the poet's thoughts as he walks into a church. He is an atheist who recognizes the significance of religion in human society.

In the poem, the speaker doubts the utility of churches, and hence religion, in our lives, while simultaneously attempting to comprehend their appeal. He fails to recognize their charm and worries aloud what will happen to churches once they fall out of favor and become obsolete.

 

The poem, which appears to be an investigation into the role of religion in our lives today, describes the speaker's interest in the same topic. . However, the narrator concludes that churches will never go out of style, not only because religion plays such an important role in our culture, but also because people has a natural desire to believe in something larger than themselves.

 

Once I am sure there’s nothing going on

I step inside, letting the door thud shut.

 

The poet enters the vast, empty, and motionless expanse of a church after double-checking that no one is inside, as his goal in visiting was to just learn what draws individuals to this location.

 

Another church: matting, seats, and stone,

And little books;

 

The term 'another' denotes that the poet had visited a number of churches and had a habit of doing so, all of which had the same matting, pews, and Bibles, in his hunt for some distinguishing feature between one and the others. The flowers from the Sunday service had not been removed because it was a weekday, and they had wilted and turned brown. Near the sacred altar, an organ or a smaller piano was kept. He went on to say that the chapel had an unmistakable impression of total quiet. He proceeded approached the Font, the site where the holy water is stored for baptism, taking off his cycling clips in a foolish show of reverence. Instead of examining the statue of Jesus, he examined the roof, which appeared to be clean or refurbished, indicating that the church had a caretaker. He then took a seat at the lectern, where the priest delivers his address, and began reciting some verses in a satirical tone, copying the priest's voice.

 

Back at the door…. worth stopping for.

 

In the next verse, the poet admits that, despite the fact that visiting a church is pointless, he nevertheless does so on a regular basis. He speculates on what will happen to the church if people cease to attend.

 

A few cathedrals chronically …. rent-free to rain and sheep.

As if responding to himself, he imagines some churches being converted into museums, with sacred writings, communion plates, and little boxes stored in locked cases for display. Alternatively, it may be rented to nature for free, which would mean it would be abandoned with rain falling and sheep grazing on it. After dark, superstitious women would bring their children to the location in the hopes of seeing their forefathers and relatives spirits in the church's graveyard, while superstitious men would visit the location in the hopes of seeing their forefathers and relatives spirits in the church's graveyard. Grass, weeds on the pavements, and spiky shrubs will be found throughout the church.

 

Power of some sort or other will go on

In games, in riddles, seemingly at random.

 

The churches will deteorate week by week, making it less recognisable. Who would be the last person to enter the church for religious reasons, asks the poet. It could be a research student scribbling notes on the walls or a research junkie drawn to old buildings and ruins in search of antiques and historical artefacts. It might also be a Christmas enthusiast who enjoys going to church on Christmas to get into the spirit of the season. Finally, it could be a person like him who is questioning the religious institutions' purpose and trustworthiness.

 

Bored, uninformed, knowing the ghostly silt

Dispersed, yet tending to this cross of ground.

 

Finally, the poet claims that people will go to churches even if they are dusty and filthy. Churches have existed for the sincere reverence of the celebration of rites, marriages, birth and death, and have been a vital part of our life, despite the fact that scrubs and shrubs have developed and are spreading acres and acres all over. If not for anything else, the churches will live on in the minds of people forever.

For, though I’ve no idea...… stand in silence here.

He acknowledges that, despite the fact that the stuffy objects stored in the church have no importance for him, he enjoys standing in the church. It brings him great joy, calm, and an air of something more than human.

 

A serious house on earth it …… robed as destinies.

 

Although crumbling, the church will remain the most serious location in the world overflowing with calm and satisfaction. All of our aspirations are finally satisfied or recognized in the environment of the church, and are seen as our fate by the Lord, and this notion can never be obsolete. Its setting allows us to reflect on life's philosophy, which culminates in death, since the graves scattered across the yard only elicit serious and pertinent ideas. While the threat of God's vengeance holds people accountable for their acts, religion provides humanity with instructions for living. It teaches us what is right and bad, and thus becomes a necessary component of society's smooth operation. Because someone among the non-believers will always surprise the others by visiting the church or expressing a desire to become far more religious, the church will continue to attract people because it is the church where a person grows wise and all of their desires are transformed into their destiny. Finally, the poet expresses his confidence in religion.

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