Course Code: ENG607

Course Title: CONTEMPORARY PROSE AND POETRY

Unit II
• Philip Larkin :
• 'Highwindows’
• 'Church Going’
• 'The Witsun Weddings’
Biography
• Philp Arthur Larkin (1922-1985) is an English poet who is associated with the
Movement School of Poetry.
• His poetry is characterized by a pessimistic strain that offers a rather dour
commentary on contemporary life.
• His tone is never ecstatically emotional and he maintains a composed poise in
his renderings on post-war society.
• Though he was offered the post of England’s Poet Laureate in 1984, Larkin
preferred to stay away from the limelight and consequently declined the offer.
• His shy and reclusive nature is reflected in his works as well where his remote
and lucid style offers a marked contrast with some of his more vociferous
counterparts
Biography
• Many critics point out that Larkin’s early poetry quite distinctly reflects the
influences of W. B. Yeats and Thomas Hardy.
• Nevertheless, Larkin managed to find his own unique and sensible ideal of
articulation that helped him to comment on the inadequacies of
contemporary society in a darkly humorous tone.
• Though despair is the predominant note in his works, he couches it in wry
and self-deprecating humour.
• Alan Brown John aptly comments on Larkin’s uniqueness when he says that
the poet produced “the most technically brilliant and resonantly beautiful,
profoundly disturbing yet appealing and approachable, body of verse of any
English poet in the last twenty-five years” (qtd. in Poetry Foundation).
Biography
• Philip Larkin, a prominent figure in mid-20th-century English poetry, is often
characterized by his skeptical and introspective approach to life's complexities.
• In his 1955 poem "Church Going," Larkin invites readers into an exploration of
churches, not as places of worship but as relics within a changing societal
landscape.
• This poem, situated amidst a period of increasing secularization, reflects
Larkin's contemplation on the significance of religious institutions in a world
seemingly detached from traditional faith.
• Through a careful analysis of "Church Going," this essay aims to delve into
Larkin's nuanced perspective on the enduring qualities of churches, the rituals
they embody, and the broader implications for individuals in a secular age.
Summary
• "Church Going" is a poem in which the speaker, seemingly a casual
visitor, enters a church out of curiosity.
• The poem begins with the speaker contemplating the future of
churches in a secular age.
• The speaker acknowledges the decline of religious practices and
questions the relevance of churches in contemporary society.
• However, despite the apparent irrelevance, the speaker explores
churches, not for religious reasons, but as historical and cultural
artifacts.
Summary
• The poem describes the speaker's routine of entering churches when in different towns
and reflects on the absence of a profound spiritual experience.
• Despite the skepticism, there is an acknowledgment of the enduring quality of churches.
• The speaker realizes that people, even those who do not actively practice a religion, still
visit churches out of habit or curiosity.
• In the final stanzas, the speaker considers the possibility that churches may outlast their
original purpose.
• There is a sense of the mysterious and timeless about these structures, and the speaker
imagines a distant future where someone might enter a church and wonder about the
purpose it served.
• The poem concludes with a reflection on the uncertainty of the future but also a
recognition of the persistence of certain human habits and rituals.
Analysis
• Secularization and Tradition:
• The poem grapples with the secularization of society
and the decline of religious influence.
• Larkin's speaker represents a modern, secular
perspective, yet there's an acknowledgment of the
enduring nature of churches as symbols of tradition
and history.
Curiosity and Habit
• The speaker's visits to churches are driven by curiosity rather
than religious fervor.
• Larkin explores the idea that even in a secular age, people
may still be drawn to churches out of habit or a sense of
cultural curiosity.
Poetic Technique
• Larkin's language is precise, and his observations are keen.

• The poem employs a conversational tone, contributing to its

accessibility.

• The use of enjambment and careful rhythm reflects the speaker's

contemplative journey through the churches.
Existential Themes
• "Church Going" touches on existential themes, such as the
search for meaning and the inevitability of change.

• The speaker's reflections on the purpose and future of

churches mirror broader human concerns about identity and
legacy.
Conclusion
• In summary, "Church Going" is a contemplative exploration of the
role of churches in a secular society.

• Larkin's poem delves into the tension between tradition and modernity,
offering a nuanced perspective on the enduring significance of
religious spaces even in the face of societal changes.
• Thank You