In your essay, you should:

• Introduce the main argument of the poem along with your interpretive perspective.
• Analyze at least two specific poetic devices (such as imagery, diction, tone, structure, or symbolism) and illustrate how each supports Larkin's thematic intent.
• Examine the importance of the poem's final lines and what they imply about agency, time, and personal identity.
• Conclude by considering the wider implications of Larkin's outlook: Does his tone reflect resignation, critique, compassion, or a blend of these emotions?

Requirements

Tip: Reflect on how Larkin's choice of the phrase "Something is pushing them / To the side of their own lives" serves as both a literal and metaphorical observation about the young mothers depicted in the poem.

• Minimum 800 words
• Use close textual evidence (direct quotations with line references)
• Maintain a formal, analytical tone throughout
• Avoid plot summary; focus on literary analysis

Guiding Questions to Consider

• How does the poem's initial image of "summer" fading serve as a metaphor for the lives of these women?
• What insights does Larkin offer about marriage and motherhood through expressions like "behind them" and "something is pushing them / To the side of their own lives"?
• In what ways does the poem's tone — which is neither explicitly critical nor celebratory — influence the reader's perception of the women's circumstances?

Requirements

• Formulate a clear, debatable thesis that extends beyond a mere plot summary.
• Incorporate at least three specific quotations from the poem as supporting evidence.
• Discuss Larkin's use of at least two literary devices (such as imagery, enjambment, symbolism, or tone).
• Conclude by reflecting on the poem's broader implications: What does Larkin suggest about societal expectations and the passage of time?