Night Mail
By WH Auden
This is the night mail crossing the Border,
Bringing the cheque and the postal order,Letters for the rich, letters for the poor,
The shop at the corner, the girl next door.Pulling up Beattock, a steady climb:
The gradient is against her, but she’s on time.Past cotton-grass and moorland boulder, shovelling white steam over her shoulder,
Snorting noisily as she passes silent miles of wind-bent grasses.
Birds turn their heads as she approaches,
Stare from bushes at her blank-faced coaches.Sheep-dogs cannot turn her course;
They slumber on with paws across.In the farm she passes, no one wakes,
but a jug in a bedroom gently shakes.Dawn freshens, her climb is done.
Down towards Glasgow she descends,
toward the steam, tugs yelping down a glade of cranes
toward the fields of apparatus, the furnaces
set on the dark plain like gigantic chessmen.
All Scotland waits for her:
in dark glens beside pale-green lochs
men long for news.Letters of thanks, letters from banks,
letters of joy from girl and boy,
receipted bills and invitations to inspect new stock or to visit relatives,
and applications for situations,
and timid lovers’ declarations,
and gossip, gossip from all the nations,
news circumstantial, news financial,
letters with holiday snaps to enlarge in,
letters with faces scrawled on the margin,
letters from uncles, cousins, and aunts,
letters to Scotland from the South of France,
letters of condolence to Highlands and Lowlands written on paper of every hue,
the pink, the violet, the white and the blue,
the chatty, the catty, the boring, the adoring,
the cold and official and the heart’s outpouring,
clever, stupid, short and long,
the typed and the printed and the spelt all wrong.Thousands are still asleep, dreaming of terrifying monsters or of friendly tea beside the band in Cranston’s or Crawford’s:
asleep in working Glasgow, asleep in well-set Edinburgh, asleep in granite Aberdeen,
they continue their dreams, but shall wake soon and hope for letters,
and none will hear the postman’s knock without a quickening of the heart, for who can bear to feel himself forgotten?
Unveiling the Journey of “Night Mail” by W.H. Auden
Imagine a powerful train, thundering through the night, a vital artery of connection across an entire nation. W.H. Auden’s remarkable poem, “Night Mail,” invites readers on just such a journey, transforming the everyday act of mail delivery into an epic adventure. This poem is not merely a description of a train; it is a vibrant celebration of human connection, anticipation, and the profound impact of communication that binds us all.
Night Mail Summary: A Journey of Connection
Auden’s “Night Mail” vividly portrays the relentless journey of a mail train as it crosses the Scottish Border under the cloak of night. The train, personified as a determined and tireless entity, navigates challenging landscapes, from rugged moorlands to the quiet countryside, all while carrying its precious cargo. This cargo consists of letters and parcels for everyone, from the wealthiest to the humblest, connecting individuals across vast distances. The poem follows the train’s progress through the dark, past sleeping farms and watchful animals, until dawn breaks and it descends into the bustling cities of Scotland, where thousands eagerly await its arrival.
The central idea of “Night Mail” revolves around the universal human need for connection and the anticipation of news. The poem beautifully illustrates that, regardless of social standing, location, or the specific content of the message, people share a fundamental desire to communicate and to feel remembered. The mail, therefore, becomes a powerful symbol of hope, a lifeline that links individuals and communities, reminding us that even in our quietest moments, we are part of a larger, interconnected world. This enduring message makes “Night Mail” a truly noteworthy and cherished piece of literature.
Night Mail Analysis: Exploring Auden’s Poetic Craft
W.H. Auden masterfully employs a rich tapestry of literary and poetic devices in “Night Mail,” making the poem not only a joy to read but also a fascinating study in poetic technique. These devices are crucial to understanding the poem’s deeper meanings and appreciating its immersive quality. Let us delve into the specific literary devices in “Night Mail” that bring this journey to life.
Imagery and Personification: Bringing the Train to Life
Auden’s use of vivid imagery allows readers to truly see, hear, and even feel the train’s journey. The poem paints clear pictures of the landscapes and the train’s powerful presence within them. For instance, the line:
“Past cotton-grass and moorland boulder, shovelling white steam over her shoulder,”
creates a dynamic visual of the train’s forceful movement through the natural world. The “white steam” becomes almost a physical act of clearing its path.
Perhaps the most striking literary device in “Night Mail” is personification, where Auden gives human characteristics to the inanimate train. This technique transforms the train from a mere machine into a living, breathing character with purpose and determination. Consider these lines:
“Pulling up Beattock, a steady climb:
The gradient is against her, but she’s on time.”
Here, “her” refers to the train, giving it agency and a sense of responsibility. The train “snorts noisily” and “shovels” steam, actions typically associated with living beings. This personification makes the train’s journey feel heroic and its mission deeply important, emphasizing its unwavering dedication to its task.
Sound Devices: The Music of the Journey
Auden’s careful selection of words creates a wonderful musicality throughout the poem, enhancing its rhythm and mood. These poetic devices draw the reader into the auditory experience of the train’s passage.
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Alliteration, the repetition of initial consonant sounds, adds a rhythmic quality and often emphasizes certain words. Notice its effect in:
“Snorting noisily as she passes silent miles of wind-bent grasses.”
The repeated “s” sound in “silent miles” and “wind-bent grasses” creates a hushed, whispering effect, contrasting with the train’s “snorting.”
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Assonance, the repetition of vowel sounds within words, contributes to the poem’s flow and musicality. An example is found in:
“dreaming of terrifying monsters or of friendly tea beside the band in Cranston’s or Crawford’s”
The repeated long “e” sound in “dreaming,” “tea,” and “friendly” creates a soft, almost lulling effect, mirroring the sleep of the people.
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Consonance, the repetition of consonant sounds within words, further enriches the sonic texture. Observe the repetition of the “l” sound in:
“All Scotland waits for her:
in dark glens beside pale-green lochs
men long for news.”The soft “l” sound in “All,” “glens,” “pale,” and “long” creates a sense of quiet longing and anticipation, drawing the reader into the collective wait.
These sound devices are not just decorative; they are integral to the poem’s immersive quality, allowing readers to experience the journey through sound as well as sight.
Enjambment and Rhythm: Mirroring the Train’s Momentum
Enjambment, the continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line to the next without a pause, is a key feature of “Night Mail.” Auden uses enjambment to create a powerful sense of momentum, perfectly mirroring the relentless, onward movement of the train. Consider this example:
“Past cotton-grass and moorland boulder, shovelling white steam over her shoulder,
Snorting noisily as she passes silent miles of wind-bent grasses.”
The thought flows seamlessly across the line break, propelling the reader forward, just as the train is propelled through the landscape. This technique creates a feeling of continuous motion and urgency.
The poem generally maintains a strong, consistent rhythm, often mimicking the steady, rhythmic chugging of the train. This creates a hypnotic effect, drawing the reader into the journey. However, Auden skillfully varies this rhythm at times to emphasize particular words or ideas, ensuring that the poem remains dynamic and engaging.
Symbolism and Universal Themes: The Heart of the Message
The night mail itself functions as a profound symbol throughout the poem. It represents far more than just the delivery of physical letters; it symbolizes the vital connection between people, the flow of information, and the enduring human need for communication. The diverse array of letters described, from “letters of joy from girl and boy” to “letters of condolence,” symbolizes the entire spectrum of human experience, encompassing joy, sorrow, hope, and despair.
Through this powerful symbolism, “Night Mail” explores universal themes that resonate with everyone. These include the importance of connection, the pain of loneliness, and the fundamental human desire for remembrance. The poem’s poignant closing lines encapsulate this central message:
“for who can bear to feel himself forgotten?”
This question taps into a deep, universal human fear, the fear of isolation and being overlooked. Auden suggests that even in our dreams, we yearn for recognition and a place within the human tapestry, making the mail a powerful antidote to this fear.
Key Passages for Deeper Understanding
To truly grasp the evocative power and profound messages within “Night Mail,” let us revisit some pivotal lines and consider their impact:
“This is the night mail crossing the Border,
Bringing the cheque and the postal order,
Letters for the rich, letters for the poor,
The shop at the corner, the girl next door.”
These opening lines immediately establish the poem’s subject and emphasize the universal reach of the mail. It serves everyone, regardless of their wealth, status, or location, highlighting its democratic nature.
“In the farm she passes, no one wakes,
but a jug in a bedroom gently shakes.”
This subtle yet powerful image beautifully illustrates the unseen impact of the mail train. Even in the deepest quiet of the night, its passage creates a tiny tremor, a ripple of anticipation that hints at the profound changes the letters will bring upon awakening.
“All Scotland waits for her:
in dark glens beside pale-green lochs
men long for news.”
This passage underscores the collective anticipation across an entire nation. It emphasizes that the mail is not just for individuals, but a vital part of the communal fabric, connecting isolated communities and fulfilling a shared human need for information and connection.
“Thousands are still asleep, dreaming of terrifying monsters or of friendly tea beside the band in Cranston’s or Crawford’s:
asleep in working Glasgow, asleep in well-set Edinburgh, asleep in granite Aberdeen,
they continue their dreams, but shall wake soon and hope for letters,
and none will hear the postman’s knock without a quickening of the heart, for who can bear to feel himself forgotten?”
The poem’s conclusion is a masterful summary of its central themes. It contrasts the private world of dreams with the universal hope for connection. The “quickening of the heart” upon hearing the postman’s knock perfectly captures the deep emotional significance of receiving mail, culminating in the timeless question that resonates with every human being.
The Enduring Legacy of “Night Mail”
“Night Mail” stands as a brilliant example of W.H. Auden’s poetic genius, a masterful blend of keen observation, vivid imagery, and profound symbolism. By exploring the seemingly ordinary journey of a night train, Auden reveals extraordinary truths about the human condition. This poem is a timeless reminder of the enduring power of connection, the quiet anticipation that binds us, and the fundamental importance of remembering that, even across vast distances and through the darkest hours, we are never truly alone. It invites us to appreciate the unseen threads that weave our lives together, carried faithfully by the tireless night mail.