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First published in The Less Deceived in 1955, "Church Going" remains one of Philip Larkin's best-known poems. Its speaker casually visits an empty church, a place he views with skeptical irreverence.
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
‘Church Going’ by Philip Larkin describes the emotions experienced by a speaker who is inexplicably drawn to the exploration of churches. The poem begins with the speaker entering into a building the reader later discovers is a church.
Nov 7, 2023 · 'Church Going' is Larkin's 'atheist poem' in which he explores the spiritual significance of the church despite the decline of religious rituals in the Western world. It contains dry wit and keen perception.
Feb 28, 2017 · ‘Church Going’ is one of Philip Larkin’s best-loved poems. It appeared in his second full collection of poetry, The Less Deceived (1955). In this post, we’d like to offer some notes towards an analysis of ‘Church Going’.
Church Going. 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.
Dec 7, 2023 · “Church Going,” by Philip Larkin, is a richly layered poem that explores several interwoven themes: Decline of Religious Faith and Institutions: One of the primary themes of “Church Going” is the waning influence of organized religion in modern society.
