CONTEMPORARY PROSE & POETRY

Course Code:- ENG607

Submitted by:- Mohammad Abrar Faiaz Sabab

Registration ID:- 11801100

Section:- QOM51

Mittal School of Business

Lovely Professional University
Phagwara, Punjab
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Topic:- Imagery & Symbolism of the poem CHURCH GOING.

Church Going which has been written by Philip Larkin is a centralized poem that discovers the
issue of the church as a psychic foundation. It starts long enough, as do many of Larkin's poems,
and then goes deeper into the subject matter, the narrator asks why people still have to go to
church. Although it was introduced to England at a time when traditional religion was beginning
to decline, the poet cleverly crafted the artists, using metaphor and pun and other tools to
produce an unforgettable, technologically advanced poem.
Larkin's narrator is initially curious, enters a quiet church, but then becomes more understanding,
knowledgeable, and dry. Each stanza furthers the investigation until the conclusion comes to an
end, which is powerful but suspicious.
The Speaker is the poet himself, who says his story. He said he, after confirming that there was
no royal ceremony going on in the church, visited it. You entered and "thud closed" the door. He
defines what happened in the church when he revealed that there were some books, flowers, that
were kept last Sunday (now piled up), a stable and an organ for creating music; it was performed
during worship. The poet did not have a hat, so he removed a piece of his bicycle to show some
respect. He gives another clarification for the structure of the church. He saw that the church had
been repaired and cleansed. He read other verses from Bilble; he finished shouting and said
"Here it is over". Responding to his action, he heard some funny sounds,He did not find his visit
worthwhile rather than calling it a waste of time.The poet's attitude toward religion and the
church, in the first two sections of the poem, is even worse. He didn't laugh at anyone but him.
Probably, it was the first time, when he visited a church or was confused. It seemed that he was a
failure. He slammed the door. He did not pray with strong belief; instead, he examined the
church as a guest. Finally, he understood that his visit was a failure.

Philip Larkin is a representative of his time. People in those days were getting food from
religion. Because of the anarchy, the people were unable to find peace in it. In fact, their
religious opinions were diminishing day by day. The poet is not only telling his own history but
everyone's story, his age. He has no faith in religion. He does not view the church as a useful
place, it is just a building for him like the other buildings of his city. There is no peace for him.
Larkin said that the poem was not a religious poem but a religious one. Either way, it exposes the
decline of religion.Every time a poet visits a church, he feels it is a waste of time. He eagerly
enters the church but returns empty-handed. You find all the visits useless. The poet also
foretells the future of the churches, a bleak future. He is persuaded that one day people will stop
visiting churches; constructions will be transformed into museums and items will be stored in
locked boxes for people to see. People will view the churches as unpopular. Superstitions are
also superstitious. There is another prospect that women come to churches to find their children.
They would receive medical supplies for their children. It is also possible, says the poet, that
people would find the souls of the dead in churches. But ultimately superstition will come to an
end.
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In these stanzas, the decline of religion is shown. A very sad future has been foretold by the poet.
He does not view religion as eternal. It's temporary for him. The poet is not criticizing God or
man but the purpose of going to church. With the end of religion, superstitions are in vogue. The
church buildings will be in pieces or museums. People will come and see the holy things.
Superstitions and superstitions come together. Where there is religion there should be
superstition. From a secular point of view, this poem is not a religious attack; rather, it dismisses
superstitious beliefs. It shows human weakness.
The poet is simply religious. In these lines, you have definitely passed on the future of the
churches. He has shown nature as the supreme ruler of everything. Plants, trees and grass will
hide for weeks; people will come just by tradition. marriage and death. The poet still has hope;
concludes the poem by stating that the spiritual significance of the churches is unforgettable and
irreversible. He did not show disrespect for religion. He has revealed his mastersole. He writes
down what he feels.

There can be many meanings of poetry. It is also possible that the poet criticized people; they go
to church to have their changes changed. They should fight rather than just pray. Visiting a
church twice a day does not give anyone success but hard work gives them the same. When
people go to church regularly and find nothing, they offer their prayers. They need to know that
God helps those who help themselves. Prayer alone is not enough, and struggle and stamina are
also needed.

It is also possible that after the world war people became optimistic; there was no love or peace
in their lives, and as a result, they did not find useful churches. The poet can be a desperate,
hopeless person who does not expect a bright future.

So far about the poet’s artistic features, this poem is a masterpiece. Like other Philip Larkin
poems, this poem is also a wonderful reminder. He is full of signs. Many symptoms are found in
it.The meanings of this poem depend on the minds of the readers. For example, some view it as a
religious poem, but it is a religious one. In short, this poem is one of the best books ever written.