Water

Theme/Content:

This poem is based on religion, and the poem Water talks about the different roles in religion that water has. The poem is abstract, and as Larkin was an atheist he has strong beliefs that discusses religious ideas.  

Analysis:

• The poem is in a regular structure, flowing like water and how religious beliefs are repeated throughout history.
• 'Water' is symbolised to be pure, for cleansing and is essential for life. Though water is transparent and is not solid, implying Larkin sees no solidity or truth to religion.
• 'To construct a religion' suggests that Larkin doesn't believe in religion, that they are made and are false, religion is just a man-made idea.
• 'Fording' is a shallow place, an escapism for people to forget their worries/problems and not to fear death, as if they can't face the truth. This is where baptisms take place too, being born again. 
• 'To dry, different clothes' is alliteration that people where clothes designed for religious visitings like church. They have to renew themselves, and cleanse themselves from before, suggesting that this means the people are artificial and use religion as a cover-up. 
• This poem focuses on Christian beliefs, a 'liturgy' refers to holy communion.
• Descriptions of water become more intense through the poem, 'sousing' is soaking/drenching and 'furious devout drench' is quite aggressive. Larkin wants to wash religion with water to purify it.
• In the last stanza a still 'glass of water' is raised in the 'east', which suggests the rising sun, rebirth and beginnings. Water has 'any-angled light', an adjusted, impure hope unlike natural light. 'Congregate endlessly' is like a congregation at a church. 
• The poem never mentions religion which questions whether life questions things beyond religion. All religions have gaps and are ironic and the simplicity of water suggests that religion overcomplicates things. Religion is no longer spiritual, it's strictly controlled in a 'glass of water', that the power of religion manipulates people.