Philip Larkin’s Poem Church Going Essay -- Philip Larkin Church Going

Philip Larkins Poem church GoingWhen it comes to religion, we nonify choose either to believe or not to believe. Some live with faith in a supreme being, and week after week, devoutly cram into the church of their choice and recite their prayers. In contrast, there are nonbelievers. They see religion as an escape from reality-- a false want that after living a long and difficult life, an omniscient, unconditionally pleasant deity volition welcome them into an eternal existence.In Philip Larkins metrical composition, Church Going, the speaker is also a nonbeliever. But whether his lack of faith is in a supreme being is not evident. Rather, his agnosticism is more the publication of his displeasure with declining religion. As he walks through the church, unhappy with his surroundings, a intent of disappointment and disbelief becomes apparent.The first stanza introduces us to the speaker as mortal who is in church more out of curiosity than religious fervor. He enters only when he is sure theres nothing waiver on, which immediately distinguishes him from other people who go to church. He isnt a loyal parishi unitaryr eager to att oddment mass. Instead, he wants to enter alone, when he is confirmatory that he bequeath not encounter a priest or believer.We are not sure what real precedent the speaker has for go in the church, especially since he does so when services are not in progress. But we do get the impression that being there does not make him happy. He seems bored to be in just some other church, as shown by the dull description he gives of his environment. The matting, seats, and stone virtually people might find beautiful, are reduced to an unexciting list. His credit entry to the furnishings upon the altar as brass and stuff at the holy end clearly shows t... ... that, at one time, the sacraments of life were all connected to this one place. He acknowledges the church as a serious house that will never lose its real purpose because s omeone like him will always come to it. His remote, indifferent attitude as a sweetheart vanishes here, and turns into a deeper way of thinking which is more universal and philosophical. His original tedium and disappointment no longer fits his personality because he has discovered what attracts him to church.The disappointed, spiritless tone is prevalent through most of the poem. The church simply does not live up to the speakers expectations, and he feels uncomfortable in the silence. And although he occasionally has fleeting feelings of awkward reverence, it is not until the end of the poem that he realizes not only the purpose of the church, but his own reason for being there.