In his poems Larkin denies the possibility of spirituality in the real world. Discuss. Philip Larkin writes in a style which is that of a realist, if a slightly pessimistic one. He does not refer to spirituality directly but in many of his poems there are undertones that suggest it is something that troubles him and to which he gives a lot of thought. In poems such as Water, High Windows and Church Going there are many metaphors for religion or using religion. It is a common occurrence in many of his poems and although he is not a religious man I think he finds the idea of believing in something like religion appealing but he simply cannot come to terms with it.The poem Church Going paints a portrait of a very confused person. The author appears to want to treat the church with flippancy:- Back at the doorI sign the book, donate an Irish sixpence, Reflect the place was not worth stopping for.However, there is something that draws him near them. A curiosity, maybe that this time he will find what he is looking for. He seems to realise the importance a church holds for some people and he has respect for this which is shown by the act of removing his bicycle clips as he does not have a hat which he can take off. It is a strange gesture which he says is done with awkward reverence. Awkward because he does not believe he belongs in a church or because he wants to and can not. He would appear to feel awe when stepping inside a church although it is more likely he wants to feel this way as many people do. However he is induced to show that he is not ignorantly opposed to the idea of religion and has an open mind. In fact, he is searching to find the same meaning:-Yet stop I did: in fact I often do, And always end much at a loss like this, Wondering what to look for; He never does find what it is he is looking for and he dismisses the fact by moving on to view his visit...
