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Short Summary of the Poem
The Night Mail is a poem written by the great poet W.H. Auden. The poem takes us on an exciting journey on a special night time train-The Night Mail! And instead of passengers, this traon carries something extremely important: Letters.
The poem opens with the Night Mail that is crossing the border and delivering letters to everyone- whether rich or poor. No matter who you are, there is something on the train for everyone. There are cheques for adults, letters for friends, or a cherished pohtograph of your loved one.
Even though there is a steady climb at Beattock but the train is on time. It crossed the grasslands, the moorland giving out white steam. And while she covers miles of distance, birds turn their heads, Sheep-dogs don’t even move and they continue their sleep and she passes so gently that in the farm also no one wakes up. But due to the movement of the train, due to its vibrations the jug in the bedroom shakes gently.
And then finally in the morning the Night Mail arrives in Glasgow. It is an industrial kind of place where there are cranes, apparatus, furnaces and all of these look as if they are put like big chess pieces. The whole Scoltland waits for the train to arrive- from people living in the remote sides to the ones in the city. All are waiting for the news.
The Night Mail carries different types of letters. They are the thank-you letters, the letters fron the banks. There love letters from girl and boy. There bills and invitations. There are formal letters, there are informal letters. There are letters of love confessions and news from all around. Then there are letters from holidays with photos in it. Letters from relatives, from South of France. There are letters of condolences. These letters are writen in different coloured papers. Some letters are stupid, some are clever, some are short, some are long, some are written neatly and some are written with a lot of spellinf mistakes.
The train has arrived but many people are still sleeping. Some of them are having nightmares, while othere dreaming of having tea beside the band in Cranston and Crawford. When they will wake up they will be in the anticipation of the letters, a longing for the letters. When the postman will knock at the door, there will be an excitement of receiving the letters, bvecaise no one wants to feel forgotten. The Night Mail beautifully illustrates the significance of letters and human connections in our lives.
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Main Themes of the poem
The central theme of The Night Mail is communication and connection. W.H. Auden highlights how the mail train delivers letters to people from all walks of life—rich and poor, urban and rural—symbolizing unity across the nation. The poem emphasizes the importance of written communication in maintaining relationships, sharing news, and expressing emotions. It also reflects themes of social equality, as the mail serves everyone equally, and dependability, as the train continues its journey regardless of terrain or time.
- Communication and Human Connection– The poem, The Night Mail portrays the power of communication which connects people across different part of the world. This is not just a train, but a lifeline carrying letters for everyone, despite their social class. This universality puts an emphasis on the fact that how important human connection is. The poem also highlights the array of letters that the train carries- “Letters of joy from girl and boy,” “timid lovers’ declarations,” and “news financial”—showing how every piece of mail represents a heartbeat, a voice, or a story shared between people.
2. Industrial Power and Reliability- Through this poem, W.H. Auden shows The Night Mail train as an embodiment of industrial strength and dependability. The train “climbs” uphill, “the gradient’s against her, but she’s on time,” this shows the resilience of the train and at the same its punctuality. In the poem, the train has been brought to life by using personification- “Snorting noisily,” “Shovelling white steam”. It shows how powerful it is and has a determined identity. The journey of the train through the remote places and industrial towns reflects how machinery and technology plays a crucial role in the everyday work of the society. And all of this without taking any rest.
3. Isolation and the Desire to Belong– The poem beautifully shows the movements of the train, personifying it, and showing its resilience and punctuality. But the poem ends on a quiet and emotional note. It ends with a rhetorical question- “For who can bear to feel himself forgotten?” With this line the poet explores the vulnerability of human. Even though the people sleep while train passes by, but then the poet reminds us of the universal need of belonging, the desire to be connected with our loved ones. This closing thought turns the train into a symbol of hope, emphasizing how receiving a letter can reassure one’s place in the world. And this assurance helps one in fighting off the fear of isolation or being forgotten.
4. The Cycle of Life- The poem written by W.H.Auden indirectky hints at the constant rhythm of life which is marked by the passage of time and the continuous cycle of communication.
Poetic Devices used in the poem
1. Imagery– Auden uses both audio and visual imagery to paint a picture of the train’s journey throughout the poem. For example, “snorting noisily“, “silent miles of wind-bent grasses” , “Shovelling white steam over her shoulder” and “Fields of apparatus, the furnaces / Set on the dark plain like gigantic chessmen“.
2. Personification– The figure of speech where a non-living thing is given human attributes. Here the train, The Night Mail is given the human qualities to express its identity. First of all the train is referred to as she/her, provoding it with a female identity. Then there are many instances like- “She remains on time as she travels…“, “Over her shoulder:“, and “Snorting noisily as she passes:”
3. Enjambment: It means the continuation of a sentence from one line to the next without a pause. For example, “Snorting noisily as she passes. / Silent miles of wind-bent grasses”. Such figure of speech helps to create a sense of speed and momentum, mimicking the train’s movement.
4. Anaphora– It means the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive lines. For example, “Letters with holiday snaps to enlarge in, / Letters with faces scrawled in the margin”. It puts an emphasis on the repetitive and mechanical nature of the mail delivery.
5. Alliteration– The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words. For example, “Shovelling white steam”. The ‘s ‘ sound is highlighted here. It adds to the poem’s musicality and creates a sense of flow.
6. Simile– Here comparison is made using words such as “like” or “as”. For example in the line- “Set on the dark plain like gigantic chessmen”.
7. Metaphor– Here the comparison is implicit, without using the words “like” or “as”. For example, The Night Mail becomes a symbol of hope and progress.
About the Poet
W.H. Auden, Wystan Hugh Auden was a British-American poet. His poetry is noted for its stylistic and technical achievements and its variety in tone, form and content. He is though best known to write about love, and on social, political, cultural, religious and psychological themes. W.H. Auden was born on 21st February, 1907, at York in United Kingdom. He won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry for his poem The Age of Anxiety. His major works include, “Funeral Blues”, “The Shield of Achilles” and “The Age of Anxiety”.
About the Poem
The poem, The Night Mail was written in 1935. But it was written as a verse commentary for a documaentary film of the same name. This British documentary film was directed and produced by Harry Watt and Basil Wright by the General Post Office (GPO) unit. The documentary premiered at the Arts Theatre in Cambridge and subsequently it became the GPO Unit’s biggest box office success.
Symbolism used in the Poem
Symbolism means to use symbols to indicate the ideas and qualities by giving them symbolic meanings taht are completely different from the literal meanings. So in this poem, the train Night Mail symbolises duty, punctuality and hope. The arrival of the train with different types of letters in the morning symbolises the beginning of the new day. It signifies hopes and aspirations for the recipient of the letters.
Another important symbol portrayed in the poem is that the Night Mail acts like a human being. And that is the reason why it is given human attributes by the poet. In its whole journey, the train has to go through a lot of ups and downs, but still it reaches the destination on time. Same should be the case with the human beings that no matter whatever phase we are going through we must be fulfilling our duties and responsibility.
Line-by-Line Explanation of the poem
Poem
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 and the girl next door.
Word-meanings:
Postal order- a secure way to send money via mail.
Explanation
The first line of the poem sets the scene of the poem and also introduces the main character of the poem, that is, The Night Mail. And in the second line we get to know that what type of train it is. It is the train that carries mails and postal orders. These were used to send money at that time. So the poet says the train is carrying the cheque and the postal order. There are letters for the rich as well as the poor. There is letter for the shop at the corner, and even the girl next door. So the train defies all the barrier of rich and the poor. There is a letter for each and everyone.
The poet uses very specific details to create a sense of anticipation and also importance of the train Night Mail. It is so because, it is not just a train. It is a vital connection that keeps people connected and businesses informed.
Poem
Pulling up Beattock, a steady climb:
The gradient’s 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.
Word-meaning:
Beattock- small town near the border of Scotland and England
Gradient- an inclined part of the road
Moorland- uncultivated land
Boulder- large rock
Shovelling- to put or push something in large quantity
Snorting- make a sudden explosive sound through one’s nose
Explanation
Now the Night Mail is crossing through Beattock, which is a small village in Scotland. And it is located at a teep incline. So even though the train has to go through an inclined part of the track, but it is on time. Here the poet has used “she” for the train, and has given it a human-like attribute. He is denoting train as a female.
The next lines create a vivid picture of the landscape through which the train is passing by. It is passing by the cotton-grass, which is a plant like grass that grows in wet places and has seed heads that look like balls of cotton. And it also passes through the moorland boulders, means the uncultivated lands and the area with boulders. It shows that the train is passing through all types of landscapes at the night. The train makes an explosive sound as she passes by the wind-bent grasses. You can also say it passess through the grasslands.
So, this shows the determined journey of the train, Night Mail. Even though it faces challenges in climbing the steep incline in Beattock but the train continues its journey though the night. It shows the train’s reliability and strength. The contrast shown in the last two lines, between the noisy train and the silent landscape further puts an emphasis on the train’s significant role in disrupting the nighttime stillness as it delivers its important cargo.
Poem
Birds turn their heads as she approaches,
Stare from the 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 the bedroom gently shakes.
Word-meaning:
Stare- look fixedly or vacantly at someone or something with eyes wide open
Blank-faced- expressionless
Slumber- sleep
Shakes- moves
Explanation
In the last stanza it has been discussed about the landscapes. Here it is discussed about the impact of the Night Mail on animals and people. The birds are startled by the train’s arrival. They turn their heads and stare at its empty coaches. However, the arrival of the train does not wake the sheepdogs as they are aware that they can not do anything to change the train’s path. The train does not wake the farmhouse residents, but a subtle detail – a “jug in the bedroom gently shakes” hints that the vibrations might have caused a slight disturbance. This suggests the train’s presence is felt even if not consciously felt by the sleeping residents.
Poem
Dawn freshens, Her climb is done.
Down towards Glasgow she descends,
Towards the steam tugs yelping down a glade of cranes
Towards 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.
Word- Meaning-
Descends: To go downward. (In this context, the train is going downhill towards Glasgow)
Glade: An open space in a forest. (Here, it’s used metaphorically to describe a large industrial area filled with cranes)
Apparatus: Equipment or machinery (Here, it refers to the industrial machinery)
Furnaces: an enclosed structure in which material can be heated to very high temperatures.
Gigantic: Extremely large or enormous.
Glens: a narrow valley, especially in Scotland or Ireland.
Long for: Have a strong desire or feeling of need for something. (Here it is longing for the letters)
Sea lochs: Lakes
Explanation-
This stanza suggests a turning point in the poem. As the morning comes, the train’s jurney uphill is over and now it desecends towards its destination and that is Glasgow. It is a major industrial city in Scotland. The lines further describe the industrial city, Glasgow. The train proceeds towards the large areas of the industries that are filled with cranes. There are large fields of apparatus, that is, the machinery and equipments. The furnaces on the large plains look like “gigantic chessman”. It is a comparison here made to show how vast the city was and to show its sense of power that was associated with machinery.
The poet says, that all of Scotland waits for the arrival of The Night Mail. They are in anticipation of the letters from their loved ones. Even in dark, seculded valleys and near the sea lakes, men wait for the letters to arrive. So this is basically an emphasis on the fact that the train reaches across different regions, from the busy industrial city to secluded valleys of Scotland.
This passage is a contrast from what we saw in the previous stanzas. The vivid imagery of the busy city and powerful machinery contrasts sharply with the calm, serene glens, showcasing the varied landscapes the train unites. It presents a stark difference between the farmlands, moorlands, cotton-fields and the busy industrial city of Scotland. And also this passage marks the end of the Night Mail’s journey. The line “All Scotland waits for her” underscores the train’s crucial role in keeping the nation connected and informed.
Poem
Letters of thanks, letters from banks,
Letters of joy from girl and boy,
Receipted bills and invitations
To inspect new stock or to visit relations,
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
Word- Meanings:
Receipted bills: Bills that have a stamp or mark showing they have been paid.
Applications for situations: Applications for jobs
Timid: Shy or hesitant. Showing lack of courage
Declarations: A formal or clear announcements (Here it is about love)
Gossip: Casual conversation about other people which are genreally not confirmed to be true.
Circumstantial: Providing full details
Financial: Relating to money and finances.
Snaps: Photographs
Enlarge: To make something larger.
Margin: The border of a page.
Condolences: Expressions of sympathy, especially on the death of someone.
Highlands and Lowlands: Geographical regions of Scotland, with the Highlands being the more mountainous and rural area, and the Lowlands being the plains and more populated area.
Explanation:
This stanza explains the kind of letters that are brought by The Night Mail. It brings the letter of thanks, letters from banks. It carries happy letters from girl and boy. It brings receipts and invitations to inspect the new stock or about some relative’s visit. it brings applicatins according to different situations. Some letters carry the declaration of love fromthe shy lovers who are not courageous enough to speak in person. It brings news and gossips from all around the world. There are letters with photographs from vacations and from the relatives. There are letters from South of Franca. Also there are letters with condolences.
Poem
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.
Word- Meaning:
Hebrides: A group of islands off the northwest coast of Scotland
Hue: Colour or shade
Chatty: Informal Talk
Catty: Spiteful or Malice remarks
Adoring: Feeling or expressing deep love and affection
Outpouring: Something that streams out rapidly in huge amount (Here it is emotions)
Explanation:
This stanza further elaborate the content of the letters carried by The Night Mail. The letters are written on papers of different colours- pink, violet, white and blue. There are different kinds of letters. Some are carryong informal talks from ffriends, some are spiteful with malice for someone else. Some letters are boring, some are carrying love and affection. Some letters are ;acking warmth, and official while some are as if someone has pured his heart into it. Some letters are clever, some are stupid, some are short and some are long. Some letters are typed, some are printed, and some are there with wrongly spelt words.
This stanza basically presents the Night Mail as far more than just a simple mode of transport. In the poem the train has been depicted as a lifeline of human connection. It carries not just letters and parcels but the emotions, news, and personal stories contained within them, bridging distances and uniting people through the written word.
The Night Mail becomes a powerful symbol of enduring connection. It stands as more than a train — a tireless messenger, silently witnessing and carrying the ceaseless flow of human emotions, relationships, and narratives across the land.
Poem:
Thousands are still asleep,
Dreaming of terrifying monsters
Or of friendly tea beside the band in Cranston’s or Crawford’s:
Word-Meaning:
Cranston’s or Crawford’s: Tea shops or cafes in Edinburgh, Scotland at the time the poem was written.
Explanation:
In this stanza the poet says that even though it is already morning, but thousands are still asleep. Some are having nightmares. They are dreaming of terrifying monsters. Whereas some are dreaming of having tea in Cranston and Crawford. Places where they have a live band too, in cafe and tea shops. it shows the wide range of experiences of people who encounter fear as well as happiness in their dreams.
Poem:
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?
Word- Meaning:
Well-set (Edinburgh): Prosperous and attractive city, well-maintained and established.
Long for: Strong desire for something.
Quickening of the heart: Speeding up of the heartbeat (Here due to excitement)
Explanation:
In this stanza, the poet has highlighted three major Scottish cities — Glasgow, which is known for its industries; Edinburgh, celebrated for its beauty; and Aberdeen, known as the “Granite City” for its striking granite buildings. Though the people in these cities are asleep, they subconsciously await their mail. They are waiting for news and connection. Even the sound of the “postman’s knock” evokes a “quickening of the heart”. It captures the deep anticipation and excitement associated with receiving letters.
The final line delivers the central message of the poem: this yearning for letters stems from a fundamental human need to feel connected. Receiving mail affirms one’s place in the larger community and serves as a comforting reminder of the world beyond.
Overall, these lines portray a powerful image of a nation united by its shared desire for connection. Even in slumber, people instinctively await the arrival of the mail, underscoring both the importance of communication and the universal fear of isolation.
