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?
Summary of Night Mail
W.H. Auden’s “Night Mail” is a captivating poem that personifies the journey of a night train delivering mail across Britain. More than a description of transportation, it is a celebration of connection, anticipation, and the fundamental human need for communication. The poem beautifully illustrates the train’s relentless journey, traversing landscapes from rugged highlands to bustling cities, bringing news and correspondence to people from all walks of life. From the practical – cheques and bills – to the deeply personal – love letters and condolences – the mail represents a lifeline, a link to the world outside, and a reminder that even in sleep, we are not truly alone.
The central idea revolves around the universality of hope and the power of connection. The poem emphasizes that, regardless of social status, location, or the nature of the message, everyone anticipates news and cherishes the feeling of being remembered. The poem’s lasting impact lies in its ability to elevate an everyday occurrence – the delivery of mail – into a profound meditation on human connection and the enduring power of communication.
Analysis of Literary and Poetic Devices in Night Mail
Auden masterfully employs a range of literary and poetic devices to bring “Night Mail” to life. These devices are integral to the poem’s meaning and create a rich, immersive reading experience. Let’s explore some of the key techniques.
Imagery and Personification
Auden uses vivid imagery throughout the poem, allowing the reader to visualize the journey of the train and the landscapes it passes through. For example, the description of the train “shovelling white steam over her shoulder” evokes a powerful image of its relentless progress.
Critically, Auden personifies the train, imbuing it with human characteristics. The train “snorts noisily,” and its journey is described as a determined climb. This personification transforms the train from a mere mechanical object into a dynamic, almost living entity, emphasizing its purposeful and unwavering movement. Consider the line: “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 emphasizing its dedication to its task.
Sound Devices: Alliteration, Assonance, and Consonance
Auden’s use of sound devices creates a musicality that enhances the poem’s rhythm and mood. Alliteration, the repetition of consonant sounds, is evident in phrases like “fields of apparatus.” Assonance, the repetition of vowel sounds, can be found in “dreaming of terrifying monsters.”
Consonance, the repetition of consonant sounds within words, further enriches the sonic texture. Notice the repetition of the “s” sound in “Silent miles of wind-bent grasses,” which contributes to the poem’s overall sense of quiet movement and vastness. These sound devices aren’t just auditory flourishes; they help draw the reader into the poem’s world and create a more immersive experience.
Enjambment and Rhythm
Enjambment, the continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line to the next without a pause, is a prominent feature of “Night Mail.” Auden uses enjambment to create a sense of momentum, mirroring the relentless movement of the train. For example: “Snorting noisily as she passes silent miles of wind-bent grasses.” The line breaks disrupt the expected rhythm, creating a sense of urgency and forward motion.
The poem generally follows a consistent rhythm, creating a hypnotic effect that mimics the steady chugging of the train. However, Auden occasionally breaks this rhythm to emphasize certain words or phrases, drawing attention to key ideas.
Symbolism and Universal Themes
The night mail itself functions as a powerful symbol. It represents not just the delivery of physical letters, but also the vital connection between people, the flow of information, and the enduring human need for communication. The letters themselves symbolize the diverse range of human experiences – joy, sorrow, hope, and despair.
The poem explores universal themes of connection, loneliness, and the importance of remembrance. The final lines – “For who can bear to feel himself forgotten?” – resonate deeply because they tap into a fundamental human fear – the fear of isolation. Auden suggests that even in our dreams, we yearn for connection and recognition.
Quotes to Illustrate Key Points
To understand the poem’s evocative power, consider these key lines:
“This is the night mail crossing the Border, / Bringing the cheque and the postal order, / Letters for the rich, letters for the poor,”
This opening establishes the poem’s central subject and emphasizes the universal reach of the mail. It delivers to all, regardless of wealth or social standing.
“In the farm she passes, no one wakes, but a jug in a bedroom gently shakes.”
This subtle image highlights the unseen impact of the mail. Even in the quiet of the night, it stirs life and anticipation.
“For who can bear to feel himself forgotten?”
This poignant closing question encapsulates the poem’s central theme – the fundamental human need for connection and remembrance. It’s a question that lingers long after the poem ends.
“Night Mail” is a masterful blend of observation, imagery, and symbolism. By exploring the seemingly mundane journey of a night train, Auden reveals profound truths about the human condition. This poem serves as a reminder of the enduring power of connection and the importance of remembering that, even in our dreams, we are not alone.