The Poem

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Philip Larkin's "Church Going" may initially seem like a lament about fading faith. However, it is much more than that. It invites readers to explore the human desire for meaning in a world where traditional religious beliefs are weakening, as well as an exploration of the evolution of physical spaces through time.

The poem opens with the speaker entering a silent church. Larkin uses concrete details to create a vivid atmosphere: "matting, seats, and stone," "wilting flowers," and a "musty, unignorable silence." These details transport the audience into the physical space, a place steeped in history and belief. Even the act of removing his bicycle clips becomes imbued with a touch of respect – "awkward reverence" – highlighting the inherent power this place holds.

Larkin's use of symbolism adds layers of meaning to the poem. The empty church itself can be seen as a symbol of fading faith. The "wilting flowers," once vibrant symbols of celebration, now indicate a decline. The "brass and stuff" near the altar – a reference to religious objects – might later be "in locked cases," suggesting a disconnect from their original purpose. These subtle symbols reinforce the poem's central theme of a changing relationship with religious practice.

Larkin also employs literary devices to enhance the poem's impact. The use of enjambment, where sentences run on across line breaks, creates a sense of flow and reflects the speaker's wandering thoughts as he explores the church. 

From where I stand, the roof looks almost new –
Cleaned, or restored? Someone would know: I don't.

The enjambment here mirrors the speaker's curiosity and limited knowledge of the church's history.

The rhymes in "Church Going" deserve a closer look. While the poem has a consistent rhyme scheme (ABABCADCD throughout the seven stanzas), many of the rhymes are slant rhymes. These are words that end in similar sounds but not identical ones, like "stone" and "one."

This choice by Larkin is deliberate. Slant rhymes create a subtle musicality while mirroring the speaker's lack of clear answers. They hint at connections without providing definitive conclusions, leaving the poem open to interpretation and reflecting the speaker's state of unresolved curiosity and doubt.

Written in 1954 in Great Britain, the poem reflects a society undergoing a significant cultural shift. World War II had left a lasting impact, shaking long-established beliefs and institutions. Britain was becoming increasingly secular, with a decline in church attendance.

The speaker's sense of internal conflict seems to reflect this. He is drawn to the beauty and history of the church as a symbol of a familiar past. However, he also embodies the growing doubt and uncertainty of his time as he questions the role of religion in this new reality. The poem thus becomes a meditation on the anxieties and complexities of a society navigating a world where faith is no longer the default setting.

Larkin described himself as an "Anglican atheist." This paradox reflects a complex and somewhat conflicted relationship with religion, much like the speaker in the poem. Anglicanism is a Christian denomination, and atheism is the disbelief in God. The speaker feels drawn to the church as a symbol of Anglican tradition yet harbors doubts about its religious significance.

The poet's atheism likely contributed to his exploration of doubt and decline in faith within "Church Going." The poem does not mock religion, but it grapples with the challenges of navigating a world where religious beliefs are not as prominent as they once were. The speaker's internal conflict – a mix of respect for tradition and skepticism towards religious dogma – might reflect Larkin's own "Anglican atheist" perspective.

While Larkin's life as an atheist is tempting to connect directly to the speaker's doubts in "Church Going," the poem's strength lies in its universality. The speaker's grappling with tradition and faith can connect with readers of all backgrounds. Larkin himself aimed to leave poems open to interpretation, allowing readers to find their own meaning.

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