During the modern age there was a popular growth in education. Phillip Larkin was a well-known figure in the "Movement". His ideas were more direct and personal. Larkin likes to write about typical everyday things. The opinions in this poem are about going to church, not religion. “Church Going” by Phillip Larkin shapes the poem with the speaker's attitude, observation of the declining importance of churches, and the change in tone throughout the poem. To begin with, the reader is greeted by the speaker of the poem. Enter an empty church. Larkin is very descriptive of this church. It describes everything from small books to the restored roof. The speaker here reveals himself: “From where I stand, the roof looks almost new: clean or restored? Some would know: I wouldn't” (Larkin lines 11-12). This statement by the state is bold. The speaker shows his attitude and view of religion. What does the roof have to do with religion? He is pondering whether the roof has been cleaned or restored. He doesn't know because this is not his church, but someone else's. This church perhaps could have been significant to someone and someone would have known about the roof. The speaker tries to hide his interest in religion by emphasizing the structures of the church. In the third stanza, the speaker wonders why he stopped in the first place because this church is perplexing to him. He developed a pessimistic attitude towards this church. He comments: “Should we avoid them as unfortunate places? (Larkin 27). People don't think of church as an unfortunate place. Someone who is not religious may often see a church as just another building. The speaker is spiritual, but not religious. It slightly suggests that he is seeking God. Secondly, Larkin explains the theme......in the center of the paper. A sensitive topic that Larkin makes direct and personal. He also chooses to write about a church, a typical place of daily life. The views in this poem are about physical things, but ultimately reveal a more religious side. He didn't take religion seriously and ultimately decides that it is necessary. “Church Going” by Phillip Larkin shapes the poem with the speaker's attitude, observation of the declining importance of churches, and the alteration of tone throughout the poem. Works Cited Larkin, Phillip. “Church that goes”. The Norton Anthology: English Literature. 9th ed. Ed. Stephen Greenblatt. New York: Norton, 2013. 2842-2844. Print.West, Robert. "Here is the church, here is the steeple": Robert Morgan, Philip Larkin and the emptiness of sacred space. Southern Quarterly 47.3 (2010): 91-97. Academic Search Premier. Web. 2 April. 2014. .