Considered in relation to symbolism, “a religion” and “water” in Philip Larkin’s “Water” may represent something different from their literal meanings. And some Larkin’s poems can be interpreted multiply by impressionistic-critical analysis. Thus, in this paper, whether the religion and the water in this poem symbolize something else or not is analyzed mainly by impressionistic-critical readings, other themes and the poet’s arguments hidden in this poem are considered, and the possibility of multiple interpretations of a poem is explored.
As a result, four interpretations in this poem are revealed. In i) the serious theme of constructing a religion Larkin hides ii) more serious theme of hoping the development of his own poetry, while iii) the theme of his interest in alcohol or iv) the theme of his keener interests in sex and masturbation can be seen and ideally he relies on the situation of sumptuous feast. In fact, these interpretations derived from the four themes overlap one another though they appear to be independent respectively.
It can be said that this poem is just “A glass of water / Where any-angled light / Would congregate endlessly” and Larkin implies the multiplicity of his poems through this poem. There also can be seen the figure of Larkin, who admires his own poetry, raises a glass of water to declare victory against his readers that cannot understand his true intention, and raises a toast.
View full abstract