ENGLISH - Water

ENGLISH - Water by Philip Larkin

If I were called in

To construct a religion

I should make use of water.

Going to church

Would entail a fording

To dry, different clothes;

My liturgy would employ

Images of sousing,

A furious devout drench,

And I should raise in the east

A glass of water

Where any-angled light

Would congregate endlessly.

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ENGLISH - Water by Philip Larkin

Content/ Theme

In many ways, this poem is a flippant musing on religion and Larkin's criticism of its ways. As an atheist, or more precisely, an agnostic, Larkin had no religion but did recognise that others found comfort in it. Larkin himself was unsure whether to believe in religion or not and therefore, this poem shows his uncertainties.

Analysis

"Water" is pure, simple, cleansing and life-giving. It is a necessity of life, which is why so many religions use it as a symbol.

Larkin starts by dismissively 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 the truth. Larkin wishes people to question their religious beliefs. He states that he would "make use of water" as it is transparent and has no hidden motives.

Numerous traditions of namely the Christian religion are mentioned, such as "going to church" and congregations, perhaps linking to the idea that many religions 'borrow' from one another and are ultimately the same. As the poem progresses, different uses of water are suggested. The "fording" makes reference to crossing a stream or river, implying that religion can be difficult whilst the "dry, different clothes" are hugely critical in that they relate to the stiff and artificial clothes people wear as their Sunday best. Religion has become too overcomplicated by things that are not needed and Larkin wishes to wash these things away. Moreover, the alliteration creates a sense of dullness and makes the reader dwell on the line as unlike the rest of the poem, there is not the gentle, lazy rhythm to mimic a river.

The imagery of water becomes more intense as the reader follows the stanzas, leading to a "furious devout drench"-Larkin is angry at the state of religion and wishes it to be cleansed thoroughly. It needs to return to the basics- the death of overcomplicated religions would be a good thing.

The last stanza focuses on raising a "glass of water" in the "east" as may religions originate from the East and this is where the sun rises to begin a new day. However, it could be interpreted as a mocking gesture, laughing at the absurdity of religion with a "cheers". Where this glass is lifted, "any-angled light would congregate", a simple idea that includes both science and religion. While science often seems to contradict religion, the word "congregate" suggests that religion and science could co-exist peacefully-a positive and optimistic end note.

The poem as a whole has no rhyme scheme and enjambment to keep it simple with no exaggeration.

The first person voice is used to make the persona appear god-like and egotistical.

Larkin manages to question religion in just 13 lines, making the poem whimsical in many ways yet at the heart of the poem is a paradox. Larkin seems to criticise religion  yet at the same time suggests creating a religion himself and acknowledges that religion cannot be dismissed for it brings comfort to many. He wants religion to remain, just in a purer form.

Academic link: http://theviewfromoutside.com/2012/09/17/written-analysis-of-a-poem-water-by-philip-larkin/

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Links

Days, Nothing To Be Said- occupy our time to distract us, all drawing closer to death

Days, Toads Revisited- better to do something with your time

Ignorance, First Sight- lack of knowledge about what is to come, contrast- can be a positive, hopeful future

Ignorance, Water- overcomplicating life, wanting something to believe in

Overall

Larkin understood that people wanted security in their beliefs yet he forces them to question this. He himself was uncertain about what he believed in and was searching for answers just like so many others, hoping for a positive future like that in 'First Sight'. He knew that beliefs could be comforting but he did not want to believe in something fake, overcomplicated or untrue.

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Links with other poems in the collection:-

-Dockery and Son - everyones lives are heading the same way no matter what we do

-Ignorance - we push death to the back of our minds

-First Sight - from the beginning we are doomed

- Toads Revisited - we need work to procratinate until we die

-Days - what's the point in life?