Water


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  • 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

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