Guiding Considerations (use these to build your argument, rather than answering them directly)

• How does Larkin's depiction of the tomb's physical decay ("the stone fidelity / They hardly meant") impact the reliability of the poem's conclusion?
• What does the inclusion of the word "almost" in the final line: "Our almost-instinct almost true: / What will survive of us is love" signify?
• In what ways does the poem's transition from the medieval era to the modern day influence the speaker's (and reader's) connection to the concept of lasting love?
• How does the poem differentiate between intended meaning and received meaning as time progresses?

Requirements

• Formulate a clear, defensible thesis in your introduction.
• Back up your argument with specific textual evidence (direct quotations and paraphrase).
• Consider and counter a counterargument to bolster your position.
• Conclude by reflecting on the broader implications of Larkin's message regarding how we derive meaning from art and history.

Write a well-organized essay where you argue whether Larkin ultimately supports or challenges the notion that love is humanity's most enduring legacy. In your essay, analyze how Larkin employs at least two of the following literary techniques to convey his main idea:

Your essay should present a clear, defensible thesis, include textual evidence with close reading, and acknowledge the poem's complexity — especially Larkin's use of the word "almost."

• Diction and tone (e.g., the shift from observation to meditation)
• Imagery and symbolism (e.g., the eroded stone, the clasped hands)
• Structural progression (e.g., how the poem moves through time)
• Irony and qualification (e.g., "almost instinct," "almost true")

Suggested time

40–50 minutes