Poem Analysis - Going

An Encounter with the Unfamiliar

Philip Larkin's "Going" is a haunting poem that explores the unsettling arrival of something new and unknown. The poem establishes a mood of quiet dread and disorientation, as a seemingly beautiful evening transforms into an experience of profound loss and sensory deprivation. The tone begins with a sense of anticipation, but quickly shifts to one of confusion and unease as the speaker grapples with the disappearance of familiar landmarks and the inability to perceive the world around them. This poem delves into themes of change, loss, and the inherent discomfort of facing the unknown.

The Weight of Absence: Exploring Themes of Loss and Change

The poem deeply explores the theme of loss, both tangible and intangible. The speaker laments the disappearance of the tree that once connected "Earth to the sky," symbolizing a loss of connection to nature and perhaps to a sense of grounding or stability. This tangible loss is paralleled by the speaker's inability to feel what is under their hands, suggesting a loss of sensory perception and a detachment from the physical world. This feeling of loss extends beyond the physical to the existential, suggesting a loss of meaning or understanding. Change is another significant theme; the arrival of an "evening coming in / Across the fields, one never seen before" represents a fundamental shift in reality, a departure from the familiar into the uncharted. The discomfort arises from the speaker's inability to understand or adapt to this change, leading to a feeling of being overwhelmed and disoriented.

Silken Deception and the Burden of Reality: Decoding Imagery

Larkin employs vivid imagery to convey the poem's central themes. The "evening" is initially described as "silken," creating a deceptive impression of smoothness and beauty. However, this initial promise is quickly subverted as the evening "brings no comfort" when it is drawn "over the knees and breast." This juxtaposition of beauty and discomfort highlights the deceptive nature of appearances and the potential for something seemingly pleasant to become oppressive. The image of the hands, first searching for something to feel and then being weighed down, is particularly striking. It suggests a struggle with the tangible world and the burden of awareness. The hands symbolize the speaker's attempt to grasp reality, but ultimately they are left empty and burdened by an unseen weight, perhaps the weight of existential angst or the burden of facing the unknown.

A World Stripped Bare: Symbolism and Sensory Deprivation

The poem is rich in symbolism, primarily revolving around the absence of expected sensory experiences. The "evening" itself can be interpreted as a symbol of mortality or the passage of time, bringing with it a sense of finality and the unknown. The absence of light ("That lights no lamps") reinforces the feeling of darkness and uncertainty. The missing tree symbolizes a lost connection to nature, stability, or perhaps even faith. The fact that the speaker "cannot feel" what is under their hands suggests a sensory deprivation that mirrors an emotional or spiritual emptiness. This sensory deprivation contributes to the overall feeling of alienation and disorientation, as if the speaker is being stripped bare of their connection to the world.

The Unsettling Allure of the Unknown: Final Thoughts

"Going" is a powerful and unsettling meditation on the themes of loss, change, and the fear of the unknown. Larkin's masterful use of imagery and symbolism creates a world where familiar landmarks disappear and sensory experiences become unreliable. The poem's enduring significance lies in its ability to capture the profound discomfort and disorientation that accompany moments of transition and the confrontation with the inevitable uncertainties of life. The poem leaves the reader with a lingering sense of unease, prompting reflection on the nature of existence and the human struggle to find meaning in a world that is constantly changing. Ultimately, "Going" suggests that the journey into the unknown is not always a comforting one, but rather a disorienting and potentially isolating experience.