2. Contents of the Poem
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the way in which some people try to make up for this through
religion. Larkin provides a narrative which depicts the flaws of
religion, and he also portrays his personal opinion that both love and
religion are untruths. He tells of how for many people, faith healing
a form of religious healing
is just like love; they wish it could
solve and fix everything but this is an unreality, and the fact is (from
• Within the poem, Larkin describes faith healing as something to be
mocked; his tone is sarcastic, showing that he does not believe in the
religious activity, just as he does not believe in the healing powers of
Larkin adds insignificance to the activity in a patronising tone. He
also portrays the people who believe in love and faith healing as
ic
movement. Both love and faith healing are shown as things that
other people believe in, but Larkin does not
yet again he creates
outside looking in.
3. •
times. He describes those who are partaking in the faith healing process
naï
would not get caught up in such an activity. He also describes these
and rude.
• The overall message of the poem is that love is seen as something
this is a
romantic view. However, the reality is that love is disappointing, even
untrue, and faith healing is just another untruth which is relied upon by
the human population to fix their problems, when in fact it can do no
such thing. Although this strong message is carried through the poem,
the final line depicts a slither of doubt from Larkin; he comes to talk
about proof, which contrasts with faith (believing without proof). The
Larkin leaves the last line down to personal interpretation.
4. Poem techniques by Larkin
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for the reader to speak freely.
•
•
•
women can find in the priests voice. He has used it to show how woman can be easily manipulated into
thinking everything is ok, as long as they feel safe.
other it is not. This could be because before it was being spoken, and perhaps in the other it is being
thought, as if Larkin is scoffing and sort of laughing at their stupidity.
giving nature a human emotion, and he does this because perhaps he is referring to how solid fact is
question of it.
•
feels he has to create a new word just to get rid of his emotions.
•
if they keep bottling up their emotions and then their eyes are the give away, as if they open up the lid.
5. •
this it is still extremely stereotypical of him. It also sounds sarcastic because you would read it with a
Texan accent.
• Another technique would be empiricist because he has used an old, grey haired priest, it makes him
innocent and therefore the audience (the women) more gullible.
•
•
•
•
faith.
This is used to allow the reader to imagine how they all look, almost deranged and laughable.
description of what the crowd of women look like, and it also sexist because he is making a fool of them.
some it means the difference they could make by loving others, but across most it sweeps as all they
might have done had they been loved. He has used this because it shows how different people are from
one another, and by being loved allows for the faith to be restored in it.
6. Context of the poem
• Description of Faith Healing: It is founded on the belief
that certain people or places have the ability to cure and
heal that someone or something can eliminate disease or
heal injuries through a close connection to a higher
power. This can involve prayer, visit to a religious shrine
or simply a strong belief in a supreme being.
7. • Overview: Available scientific evidence does not support
claims that faith healing can cure cancer or any other
disease.
• -Many religious sects claim healing can cure blindness,
deafness, cancer, AIDS, developmental disorders etc.
•
way to get others to believe in their methods. These
people often solicited large donations or charged money
for their healing sessions.
8. • Larkin fell in love with a school- girl aged 16, Ruth bowman, when he
as his love fizzled
out after seven years of ups and downs.
•
his time at Oxford, Larkin had been snubbed by girls,
personally think that going
out with women is not worth it. I don't want to start a serious
argument exactly, but the amount of time one has to lay out in
tedious and expensive and embarrassing pursuits seems to me too
much for what sketchy and problematic gains may accrue. If there
were a straightforward social code that copulation could be indulged
in after a couple of drinks (one of which the woman stood) then I
should be more
•
whole business of sex annoys me. As far as I can see, all
women are stupid beings. What is more, marriage is a revolting
institution.' -Larkin
