'Faith Healing' by Philip Larkin


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The Whitsun Weddings1960Slowly the women file to where he stands
Upright in rimless glasses, silver hair,
Dark suit, white collar. Stewards tirelessly
Persuade them onwards to his voice and hands,
Within whose warm spring rain of loving care
Each dwells some twenty seconds.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Faith Healing: A Critique of Modernity through the Lens of Philip Larkin's Poetry

Are we living in an age of disbelief?

Philip Larkin, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, certainly thought so. In his poem "Faith Healing," Larkin explores the idea of faith in a world that seems to have lost its sense of purpose, its moral compass, and its spiritual bearings.

What is faith healing, and how does it relate to the poem?

Faith healing is a practice in which a person's faith in a higher power is believed to cure physical or emotional ailments. In the poem, Larkin uses the idea of faith healing as a metaphor for the search for meaning and purpose in a world that has lost its way.

The poem begins with the speaker questioning the efficacy of faith healing:

Slowly the women file to where he stands

Upright in rimless glasses, silver hair,

Dark suit, white collar. Stewards tirelessly

Persuade them onwards to his voice and hands,

Within whose warm spring rain of loving care

Each dwells some twenty seconds. Now, dear child,

What's wrong, the deep American voice demands,

And, scarcely pausing, goes into a prayer

Directing God about this eye, that knee.

It is a scene of desperation, of people who seem lost and hopeless. The faith healer, with his "rimless glasses, silver hair, dark suit, white collar," is a figure of authority, someone who might be able to offer some comfort and solace to those who come to him. And yet, the speaker is skeptical, questioning the "efficacy" of the faith healer's actions.

The poem goes on to describe the experiences of several women who come to the faith healer seeking relief from their physical and emotional pain:

From the back row where they huddled, a woman

Whose stockinged ankle was swathed in bandages

Speaks of a rupture - two children and a man,

Dead in the war. 'You're looking God-struck, my dear,

Your stockings gartered to your thigh. And all

Because our friend here says the healing's real.'

The woman is clearly in pain, both physical and emotional. Her "stockinged ankle swathed in bandages" suggests a recent injury, perhaps sustained in the war. But the faith healer's words seem to offer her some comfort, some hope that her pain might be alleviated.

But the poem is not without its criticism. The speaker questions the motives of the faith healer and the people who come to him:

And now in turn her sister and her aunt,

Come forward, widow and mother of the dead,

Anxious to be cured, their prayers on his head,

To him addressed, and all their simple hopes.

Now, you can feel them, heat, light, tickle, pause -

Fearing the cold oblivion of the priest

Behind his lace, that passionless white face.

The speaker is critical of the "simple hopes" of these women, suggesting that they are looking for a quick fix rather than confronting the deeper issues that are causing their pain. He also seems to suggest that the faith healer, despite his apparent sincerity, is little more than a charlatan, preying on the desperation of those who come to him.

The poem ends on a note of ambiguity:

No more than this. He gives her hands a squeeze,

As if she might have understood, and goes,

Calming and comforting with words and touch

A crowd that never will be satisfied.

The speaker seems to suggest that, while the faith healer may offer some comfort to those who come to him, he is ultimately unable to give them what they truly need. They are left "unsatisfied," still searching for something that they cannot find.

In many ways, "Faith Healing" can be seen as a critique of modernity, of the ways in which we have lost touch with the spiritual and the transcendent. Larkin seems to suggest that, in a world where we are bombarded with information, where we are constantly connected but increasingly disconnected from one another, we are becoming increasingly lost and adrift.

But the poem is not without hope. In its exploration of faith and healing, it suggests that there may still be some possibility for connection and transcendence, even in a world that seems to have lost its way.

Overall, "Faith Healing" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that speaks to the deepest concerns of the human spirit. It is a testament to Larkin's skill as a poet, and a reminder of the enduring power of poetry to explore the most profound questions of human existence.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Healing Power of Poetry: An Analysis of Philip Larkin's "Faith Healing"

Poetry has always been a medium for expressing emotions, thoughts, and experiences. It has the power to heal, to inspire, and to connect us with our deepest selves. Philip Larkin's "Faith Healing" is a perfect example of how poetry can be a source of comfort and hope in times of distress.

In this 32-line poem, Larkin explores the idea of faith healing, which is the belief that one can be cured of physical or emotional ailments through prayer or other spiritual practices. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with its own distinct theme and tone.

Stanza 1: The Power of Words

The first stanza of "Faith Healing" sets the tone for the rest of the poem. Larkin begins by describing the scene of a faith healing service, where people gather to pray for healing. He then shifts his focus to the power of words, specifically the words of the preacher who leads the service.

Larkin writes, "Slowly the women file to where he stands / Upright in rimless glasses, silver hair, / Dark suit, white collar. Stewards tirelessly / Persuade them onwards to his voice and hands." These lines paint a vivid picture of the preacher, who is a figure of authority and power. The women are drawn to him, and the stewards are there to ensure that they reach him.

The preacher's words are described as "words that could not shake / One leaf off the sick, still calendared tree." This line suggests that the preacher's words are not enough to cure the sick, but they do have some power. They are like a gentle breeze that rustles the leaves of the tree, but they cannot bring it back to life.

Larkin then shifts his focus to the women who are seeking healing. He writes, "The air is loud with their petitions, lost / In his mild response." The women are praying fervently, but their prayers are lost in the preacher's response. He is calm and collected, and his words are measured and controlled.

The first stanza of "Faith Healing" sets the stage for the rest of the poem. It establishes the power dynamic between the preacher and the women, and it highlights the power of words in the healing process.

Stanza 2: The Limits of Faith

The second stanza of "Faith Healing" explores the limits of faith. Larkin begins by describing the women who have come to the service. He writes, "The women come and go, dreaming of / Mercedes-Benzes, / Bright cellophane parcels in their laps, / Tightening their scarves against the draughty / Underground, the wind's unheeded howl."

These lines paint a picture of women who are seeking more than just physical healing. They are dreaming of material possessions, and they are trying to protect themselves from the harsh realities of the world. They are seeking comfort and security, but they are not finding it in the faith healing service.

Larkin then shifts his focus to the preacher. He writes, "He / Is older now, he has lost a son, his wife / Is fading slowly. His old charisma / Is fainter, less sure." The preacher is not immune to the pain and suffering of the world. He has experienced loss and grief, and his faith is not enough to protect him from it.

The second stanza of "Faith Healing" highlights the limitations of faith. It shows that even those who have devoted their lives to it are not immune to the pain and suffering of the world.

Stanza 3: The Healing Power of Poetry

The third and final stanza of "Faith Healing" offers a glimmer of hope. Larkin begins by describing the women who have left the service. He writes, "The women are horrible. They smile / At the good conductor. They smile and smile / And betray themselves." These lines suggest that the women are not finding what they are looking for in the faith healing service. They are putting on a brave face, but they are not truly happy.

Larkin then shifts his focus to the power of poetry. He writes, "The poems are the same thing, like / The first green shoots and the first white shoots / I saw this year, like the itching harebell / In my wrist's curve, at noon." These lines suggest that poetry has the power to heal and to bring hope. It is like the first signs of spring, or the gentle breeze that rustles the leaves of a tree.

The final lines of "Faith Healing" are some of the most powerful. Larkin writes, "If I were called in / To construct a religion / I should make use of water." These lines suggest that if Larkin were to create a religion, he would use water as a symbol of healing and renewal. Water is a powerful symbol in many religions, and it represents the cleansing and purifying power of faith.

In conclusion, "Faith Healing" is a powerful poem that explores the themes of faith, healing, and the power of words. Larkin's use of vivid imagery and powerful language creates a sense of hope and comfort in the face of pain and suffering. The poem reminds us that even in our darkest moments, there is always hope for healing and renewal.

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