P.

Lumenzeno

II-M.A. English Literature.

St. Joseph’s College, (Autonomous),

Tiruchirappalli – 2.

E-Mail: lumenzeno@gmail.com

Eco-Critical perspective in Philip Larkin’s “Water”

Ecocriticism is the study of literature and environment. It examines the different

ways of how literature treats the subject of nature. The paper tells how religion is

constructed in Water. The entire world seems to recognize the importance of water and its

necessity for life.

Philip Arthur Larkin is an English poet, novelist and librarian. His notable work is

“The Whitsun Weddings” published in 1964.

Water plays a significant role in religion. Each religion may differ in their rituals and

beliefs, but it becomes the converging point. The religion is based on set of morals which

clarifies right and wrong.

“If I were called in

To construct a religion

I should make use of water”. (Water 1-3)

 In religion water plays a vital role in cleaning moral impurities. Water is the main

component of birth and death rituals. Water is a force assigned to divinity. It is a symbol for

eternal life. The man created religion through water. It is glorified and raised to the level of

God.

“Going to church

Would entail a fording

To dry, different clothes” (Water 4-6)

In Christianity water serves as a sin cleaner in Baptism. Washing of feet is a

religious rite observed by Christians. It is called “Maundy” in Latin. Christians do foot

washing as directed by God. The Hindus believe that the water of Ganges is holy because its

origin is Himalayas. Hindus use the holy river Ganges in order to free from their sins. Water

symbolizes the circle of life. Everything has its origin from water. After death the ash

returns into the holy water. Everything is made of water, and everything returns to water.

Water is an archetype. It is a symbol of life, cleansing and rebirth. It is a strong life force and

is often depicted as a living, reasoning force. On one hand water is well-known life symbol

and on the other hand water is a symbol of death. The symbol of water is ambivalent. In

Hinduism water is said to be the source of river and all the rivers are holy. Water is a

symbol of circle of life. Muslims wash their hands and feet before they enter the mosque.

Without water there is no establishment of religion. In Islam, water is most important for

purification. They should be ritually pure before they approach God for prayer. Rituals of

washing hands are performed in mosque. Muslims believe that washing ones hand frees

oneself from the sin which have been committed by hands. The ritual washing must be
performed in running and pure water. Running water signifies vivid water. The pure water

washes the sins and dirt away. In Buddhism, water symbolizes life, the purest form of food

and the water is the particular element which in nature carries everything together. In

Buddhism water is used as a healing agent. Water is poured over the head of weak person.

During the bath a spiritual force is exchanged.

Water is more powerful than religion in uniting people. Water doesn’t disintegrate

people. It does not bother about colour, caste and creed. It is a purifying symbol. To

perform any religious rites the beginning will be water. Before going to church people

should cleanse their soul. While crossing the river one believes that one gets purified. It is

not easy to cut off these differences. People are purified through cleansing. Cleansing

includes spiritual change, a complete change in one’s heart. The priest in church during

mass raises the cup of wine. “Trans-Substantiation” relates to the transformation of bread

and wine into body and blood. The light stands for wisdom and knowledge. Heat stands for

warmth, love, angled-light stands for Multi-dimensions. People from different walks of life

come together and gather for worship. They forget all differences and become one as water

and worship endlessly. Water plays a vital role in both life and death for everyone. Many

religion recognize this significance and associate it with their own concepts of life and

death. For example, many views on creation involve water, and most of those speak of

water as the very source of first existence.

“And I should raise in the east

A glass of water

Where any-angled light

 Would congregate endlessly”. (Water 10-13)

Water is the main component of birth and death rituals. Water is the most important

resource of mankind. Without water they cannot survive. So they construct religion in

water. The water serves as the combination of the physical and spiritual: God, man and

nature. Water is respected in different religion. Water is related to basic functions and

significance of life. The survival of both man and earth is due to water. Without water there

is no life. It possesses a purifying force. In every religion water is a sign of both birth and

death.

The quality of water and its necessity of life results in it being a significant part of

religion, it is not surprising that cleaning and purifying are the most common function of

water in religion. Therefore, water is viewed as an important element in every region of the

world.
 Work Cited

Larkin, Philip. Poems. Greville: Greville Press pamphlets, 2002.

Print.

http://www.ce.utexas.edu/prof/mckinney/ce397/Topics/Religion/Water_in_C&R.pdf

http://e-collection.library.ethz.ch/eserv/eth:2577/eth-2577-11.pdf

http://www.savap.org.pk/journals/ARInt./Vol.2(1)/2012(2.1-71).pdf

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foot_washing#Biblical_reference

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_and_religion#Holy_water

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ritual_purification

http://freespace.virgin.net/art.house/water.htm

http://www.academia.edu/8724683/Ecocriticism_and_the_Waters_of_the_World.