Religion In Philip Larkin's 'Next, Please'

In the poem “Next, Please,” Philip Larkin compares religion to one among many “bad habits of expectancy” as a result of eagerness (l. 2). In the western society, the words “eager” (l. 1) and “expectancy” (l. 2) are positively connoted and perceived as good characteristics, however, Larkin creates an unusual tension by adding the words “bad habits,” foreshadowing the poem’s negative tone regarding religion (l. 2). From a sociological perspective, expectancies play a central role in society. They emerge from experiences and therewith gained knowledge in order to regulate uncertainties and contingency. According to this, expectancies have a behavior-controlling impact by recommending an appropriate behavior in corresponding situations. Likewise,

18). “But we are wrong” is the shortest sentence in the poem and only consists of monosyllabic words, lacking any optimism regarding this hope. Larkin’s opinion of religion is bleak and merciless. The last stanza is filled with oppositions. Instead of a fleet of ships, there is “Only one ship” approaching (l. 21). The word “seeking” is significant as it points to the ship’s active search, opposed to the expected armada which wastes time (l. 21). Being “black-/ sailed,” this ship does not bring any goods but only death and darkness, accompanied by poignant grief (l. 21-22). Moreover, it is “unfamiliar” (l. 22). The negated prefix indicates that this ship is not part of our related family, no one was waiting or looking out for this one. The “huge and birdless silence” indicates the inevitability and permanence death as huge nothingness (l. 23). This silence is stressed by the regular rhyme scheme abab and the remarkable shortened final line of each stanza, stressing the absence of words. There is neither afterlife, nor words, nor music which is rephrased in the final two lines “In her wake/ No water breed or break,” reflecting the clear negation of religion (l.