Religious Skepticism in Philip Larkin's Church Going, Faith Healer, and Arun Kolatkar's Jejuri

<p>                  This paper attempts to compare, connect, and analyze the themes of religious skepticism in Philip Larkin’s Church Going and Arun Kolatkar’s Jejuri. By focusing on their respective portrayals of the loss of faith in modern times, the paper examines the modern skeptical personas present in both poets. The poets question the relevance of religion and religious practices in a world increasingly influenced by scientific progress. Through selected lines from both works, the paper critically analyzes the attitudes of both poets toward religious institutions and rituals, illustrating their shared skepticism and reflections on faith. Larkin’s Church Going questions the future of the church, while Kolatkar’s Jejuri offers a more radical critique of traditional pilgrimage. Despite their skepticism, both poets exhibit sympathy and sensitivity toward human experiences within these religious contexts.</p>