'An Arundel Tomb' by Philip Larkin

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The Whitsun Weddings1956Side by side, their faces blurred,
The earl and countess lie in stone,
Their proper habits vaguely shown
As jointed armour, stiffened pleat,
And that faint hint of the absurd -
The little dogs under their feet.Such plainness of the pre-baroque
Hardly involves the eye, until
It meets his left-hand gauntlet, still
Clasped empty in the other; and
One sees, with a sharp tender shock,
His hand withdrawn, holding her hand.They would not think to lie so long.
Such faithfulness in effigy
Was just a detail friends would see:
A sculptor's sweet commissioned grace
Thrown off in helping to prolong
The Latin names around the base.They would no guess how early in
Their supine stationary voyage
The air would change to soundless damage,
Turn the old tenantry away;
How soon succeeding eyes begin
To look, not read. Rigidly theyPersisted, linked, through lengths and breadths
Of time. Snow fell, undated. Light
Each summer thronged the grass. A bright
Litter of birdcalls strewed the same
Bone-littered ground. And up the paths
The endless altered people came,Washing at their identity.
Now, helpless in the hollow of
An unarmorial age, a trough
Of smoke in slow suspended skeins
Above their scrap of history,
Only an attitude remains:Time has transfigured them into
Untruth. The stone fidelity
They hardly meant has come to be
Their final blazon, and to prove
Our almost-instinct almost true:
What will survive of us is love.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry, An Arundel Tomb: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

I have always been a fan of Philip Larkin's poetry, and his poem "An Arundel Tomb" is one that never fails to move me. It is a hauntingly beautiful piece of work that speaks volumes about love, time, and mortality. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve deeper into the themes and symbolism of this classic poem.

Background Information

"An Arundel Tomb" was written by Philip Larkin in 1956 and published in his collection "The Whitsun Weddings" in 1964. The poem is based on the tomb of Richard Fitzalan and his wife Eleanor in Arundel Cathedral. The tomb depicts the couple holding hands, and their faces are shown as serene and happy, as if they are at peace with each other and with the world around them.

Themes

One of the central themes of "An Arundel Tomb" is the idea of love transcending death. The poem is a tribute to the enduring love between Richard Fitzalan and his wife Eleanor, who are depicted as holding hands even in death. Larkin suggests that true love can survive even the passage of time and the inevitability of death. The poem also explores the idea that love can be eternalized through art, in this case, the tomb that depicts the couple.

Another theme that runs throughout the poem is the idea of time and mortality. Larkin suggests that time is a relentless force that cannot be stopped, and that death is an inevitable part of life. However, he also suggests that art and love can serve as a means of transcending time and mortality, as they allow us to connect with something beyond ourselves and to leave a lasting legacy.

Structure and Language

"An Arundel Tomb" is written in six quatrains, with a regular ABAB rhyme scheme. The poem is written in the third person, and the language is simple and direct, with a focus on concrete images and sensory details. The poem's structure and language serve to reinforce its themes of love, time, and mortality, as they evoke a sense of simplicity, clarity, and timelessness.

Symbolism

One of the most striking aspects of "An Arundel Tomb" is its use of symbolism. The tomb itself is a powerful symbol of love and eternity, as it depicts the couple holding hands even in death. The image of the couple's hands is also significant, as it suggests a sense of intimacy and connection between them.

The poem's final lines, "What will survive of us is love," are perhaps the most famous and powerful of all. These lines suggest that love is a force that can endure even after we are gone, and that it is the only thing that truly matters in the end.

Interpretation

"An Arundel Tomb" is a deeply moving and poignant poem that invites us to reflect on the nature of love, time, and mortality. Larkin suggests that true love can survive even the passage of time and the inevitability of death, and that art and love can serve as a means of transcending time and leaving a lasting legacy.

The poem's imagery and symbolism serve to reinforce its themes of love and eternity, and its simple language and structure evoke a sense of timelessness and simplicity. Ultimately, "An Arundel Tomb" is a testament to the enduring power of love, and a reminder of the importance of living our lives with love and passion.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "An Arundel Tomb" is a masterpiece of modern poetry, and one that continues to captivate readers to this day. Through its themes of love, time, and mortality, its use of symbolism, and its simple yet powerful language, the poem invites us to reflect on the nature of love and the legacy that we leave behind. It is a testament to the enduring power of love, and a reminder of the importance of living our lives with love and passion.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

An Arundel Tomb: A Masterpiece of Philip Larkin

Philip Larkin, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, is known for his unique style of writing that reflects the complexities of human emotions. His poem, "An Arundel Tomb," is a masterpiece that captures the essence of love, death, and the passage of time. The poem is a reflection on a medieval tomb that Larkin saw in Arundel Cathedral, and it is a poignant meditation on the nature of love and the inevitability of death.

The poem begins with a description of the tomb, which depicts a man and a woman holding hands. The couple is dressed in medieval clothing, and their hands are clasped together in a gesture of eternal love. The image of the couple is striking, and it immediately captures the reader's attention. The poem then goes on to describe the details of the tomb, including the intricate carvings and the inscriptions that adorn it.

As the poem progresses, Larkin reflects on the nature of love and the passage of time. He notes that the couple in the tomb are long dead, and yet their love still endures. He writes, "What will survive of us is love," suggesting that love is the only thing that can transcend death and the passage of time. The line is powerful and poignant, and it captures the essence of the poem.

Larkin then goes on to reflect on the nature of memory and how it shapes our understanding of the past. He notes that the couple in the tomb are remembered not for who they were as individuals, but for their love. He writes, "Their stone fidelity / They hardly meant has come to be / Their final blazon." The line suggests that the couple's love has become their legacy, and it is what they will be remembered for long after they are gone.

The poem then takes a darker turn as Larkin reflects on the inevitability of death. He notes that the couple in the tomb are dead, and that they will never be able to experience the joys and sorrows of life again. He writes, "Time has transfigured them into / Untruth. The stone fidelity / They hardly meant has come to be / Their final blazon, and to prove / Our almost-instinct almost true: / What will survive of us is love." The lines suggest that death has transformed the couple into something that they were not in life, and that their love is the only thing that remains.

The final lines of the poem are perhaps the most powerful. Larkin writes, "We shall not need the love of a corpse / That is not there, but what we find / The start of another world; / Wearier but not as barre." The lines suggest that death is not the end, but rather the beginning of a new world. The world may be wearier, but it is not as barren as we might think. The lines are a powerful reminder that death is not the end, but rather a new beginning.

In conclusion, "An Arundel Tomb" is a masterpiece of poetry that captures the essence of love, death, and the passage of time. Larkin's unique style of writing and his ability to capture the complexities of human emotions make this poem a timeless classic. The poem is a poignant meditation on the nature of love and the inevitability of death, and it is a powerful reminder that love is the only thing that can transcend death and the passage of time.

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