How is death and remembrance presented in Larkin's 'An Arundel tomb' and WB Yeats 'easter, 1916'

Whilst Yeats' poems dutifully remembers the signataries of the proclamation, Larkin highlights the loss of self and anonymity granted by death and the passage of times. The speaker of 'easter, 1916' claims that we must remember those executed, we must 'murmur name upon name/ as a mother names her child" and writes out the names of four (possibly five) of the signitories. These names are written at the end of the poem, with the earlier verses exploring the Pearse's "sensitive nature" and Macbride as a "vainglorius lout", allowing the signatories to exist as more than just a name in the poem. The couple in 'An Arundel Tomb', however, is not named at all. Compared to the 'vivid faces' of easter 1916, the entombed couple have had their 'faces blurred' by erosion and time. Further more, they are not named and remain anonymous throughout the poem.

ND

Related English Literature A Level answers

All answers ▸

"Stanley represents the macho forward-driving America of the future" - Explore this view of 'A Streetcar Named Desire'


""Much American Literature is concerned with ideas about tension between Social Classes" Discuss this statement in relation to your study of American Literature." How would you write an introduction for this question?


How do I structure my coursework/ exam essays? Do you have any other tips for essay technique?


‘Othello’ – William Shakespeare ‘Ultimately it is hard to see Emilia as anything other than a tragic victim of male power and malice.’ To what extent do you agree with this view? [...] comment on Shakespeare’s dramatic methods.