Analysis Of Church Going By Philip Larkin

“But superstition, like belief, must die, And what remains when disbelief has gone?” (Larkin 867) For most people, church can be a terrifying place. It is thought to be filled with rules, consequences, and judgment. Its doctrine can also be very confusing, although never contradicting. Some churches are merely buildings with a cross displayed outside. When a church loses its truly religious attributes, it becomes no more than a club. However, not all are bad. Churches can sometimes be the only place people find a sense of peace. While God can appear scary, people who truly love the Lord know that fearing Him is a good thing. In “Church Going” by Philip Larkin, the protagonist becomes very timid when they find themselves outside a church, yet their

There will always be a hunger for religion, to add a meaningful purpose to life. “And that much never can be obsolete, Since someone will forever be surprising A hunger in himself to be more serious” (Larkin 868). The desire for something with meaning in this world will always attract people to the church, not just the physical side, but to its tenets of belief and hope. The church is a place someone can learn and expand their education, not just in verses, but in life as well. “And gravitating with it to this ground, Which, he once heard, was proper to grow wise in, If only that so many dead lie round” (Larkin 868).

In “Church Going” by Philip Larkin, the speaker has much curiosity about the church and all it symbolizes. The more they explored and thought about religion, the more they answered their own questions. Curiosity can be a great thing. It can reflect who you truly are and who you were meant to be. While the main character did not become the most devoted Christian, they did gain a sense of respect for religion, and migrated from having no beliefs to believing in something; comfort and safety through a religious