Water
- Created by: daltog
- Created on: 10-02-21 20:18
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- "Water"
- Theme
- Musing on religion
- He was an atheist- agnostic
- He had no relgion but did recognise that others found comfort it in
- Unsure whether to believe in religion or not and therefore this poem shows his uncertainties
- Christianity / Catholicism
- Water
- Analysis
- "Water" is pure, simple, cleansing and life giving
- Necessary of life which is why so many religions use it as a symbol
- Larkin shows by suggesting that he could "construct" a religion
- A mocking view that suggests that religion is a mere fabrication and man made concept that has little basis in truth
- Wishes people to question their religious beliefs much like Duffy
- Numerous traditions of namely the Christian religion are mentioned "going to church"
- "Congregation"- perhaps linking to the idea that many religions "borrow" from one another and are ultimately the same
- Implication that water is a fabrication, non- religious which makes the reader question their faith
- "Make use of water" as it is transparent an has no hidden motives
- Wanting religion to remain just in a purer form
- Larkin could be suggesting that organised religion is no longer truly spiritual due to the strict nature and controlment of/ by men
- If it were perhaps given the freedom, purity and clarity of natures power, water, might be more useful and godly
- "Fording" - seems to emphasise much gentler but highly significant - in this effect it can be perspective that Larkin is suggesting that the church offers safe passage perhaps a guide/ leading to death this is where people seek comfort inn the unknow, God
- Comforting or some but not for others
- Larkin is imprinting his strong opinions on religion but his selection of words with distinct connotations
- Could be seen as controversial and intentional humorous values
- Symbolism and Quotations
- Baptismal - Water
- Biblical litany
- "Raise in the East" - Christianity 3 Wise Men followed a star to Jesus' birth
- "Light" - flicker of hope (could be a reference to candle light visuals - mass ceremonies)
- "My liturgy" - spoken in Church
- "Would congregate endlessly" - you are always in faith it is endless
- Water is an integral part of every religion: Christians are baptised, Catholics devote and worship holy water, Muslims wash their hands and feet before entering a place of worship as do Buddhist. Therefore, water binds all religions together
- "Different clothes" - could represent the ranking within a typical church, i.e Bishops, Priests, Deacons etc
- "If I were" - use of the word 'if' implies that religions can be created
- "I should make use of water" - as all religions make use of water so should his
- "Going to Church" - has a set location like a 'holy ground'
- "A fording to dry" - a fording is a shallow river, or stream so therefore by saying it is used to dry is a paradox
- Question of religious - Need for religion (compassion, link to Faith Healing)
- Contextual link to Duffy - certainty of faith that others have
- Quotation Analysis and Imput
- "Fording" - reference to crossing a stream implying that religion can be difficult whilst the "dry clothes" are critical clothes people wear as their Sunday best
- Religion has become too overcomplicated by things that are not needed - Larkin wishes to wash these things away
- Implies that religion is so constructed that anyone could be called in on a whim to create
- Other religions make a point of using water
- It is what all religions make a point of using water - it is what binds all religions and of course what we as human beings needs as out most basic need
- Imagery
- Water - intensifies as the reader follows the stanzas leading to a "furious devout drench" - angry at the state of religion, wishes it to be cleansed thoroughly (needs to return to the basics - the death of overcomplicated religions)
- "Glass of water" in the "East" - connotes to where religions originate from the East and this is where the sun rises to begin a new day (interpreted as a mocking gesture, laughing at the absurdity of religion with "cheers"
- Where this glass is lifted, "any angled light would congregate" - idea that includes both science and religion. However, you could imply that its man made not by an omnibenevolent God
- While science often seems to contradict religion - "Congregate" suggests that religion and science could co- exist peacefully, positive and optimistic end
- Water - pure, natural, life forms giving sustenance, cleansing force to rid religion of its downfalls "furious devout drench"
- Baptism yet, the annotations of "furious" is of particular significance a suggestion that Larkin is angry at the state of religion but he feels that vigorous washing with water might purify it
- Structure
- No rhyme scheme and enjambments to keep it simple with no exaggeration
- First person voice is used to make the persona appear God-like and egoistical
- Larkin manages to question religion in just 13 lines
- Making the poem whimsical in many ways yet, at the same time suggests creating a religion himself and acknowledges
- Continues enjambment - could be metaphorically seen as the flow of water, river
- Atmospheric tones
- Sombre, aloof and disdainful
- Larkin's approach - humorous and comedic at religion as an institution
- Religion is briefly and whimsically brushed over a 13 lines
- Gentle, blase and lazy rhyme - flows like water
- First line seems to flow quite freely however, the alliteration "dry, different" and "devout drench" seems to imitate
- Critics
- "Larkin's interest in images from advertising is because they represent society's collective desires" - Andrew Swarbrick
- "His poems make us aware of the interpenetration of fantasy and reality" - Andrew Swarbrick
- Theme
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