Summary: The Night Mail | English Class 9 ICSE PDF Download

Introduction

Line-by-line explanation of the poem

1. This is the Night Mail crossing the border,

The poet introduces the Night Mail, a train, as it travels across a boundary or border.

2. Bringing the cheque and the postal order,

The train carries various types of mail, including checks and postal orders, indicating its importance in commerce and communication.

3. Letters for the rich, letters for the poor,

The mail serves everyone, regardless of their economic status. 

4. The shop at the corner and the girl next door.

The train carries letters for businesses as well as individuals, emphasizing its universal service.

5. Pulling up Beattock, a steady climb:

The train faces a challenging ascent at Beattock, a location in Scotland.

6. The gradient’s against her, but she’s on time.

Despite the uphill battle, the train remains punctual.

7. Past cotton-grass and moorland boulder

The train travels through scenic landscapes, highlighting the beauty of the countryside.

8. Shovelling white steam over her shoulder,

The steam engine releases steam, emphasizing its power and movement.

9. Snorting noisily as she passes

The train’s noise is likened to a creature’s snort, giving it a lively presence.

10. Silent miles of wind-bent grasses.

The contrast between the noisy train and the quiet, windswept landscape is highlighted.

11. Birds turn their heads as she approaches,

Nature reacts to the train’s presence, showing its impact on the environment.

12. Stare from the bushes at her blank-faced coaches.

Birds curiously observe the passing train, emphasizing the interaction between man-made and natural worlds.

13. Sheep-dogs cannot turn her course;

The train’s path is unyielding, not even affected by animals.

14. They slumber on with paws across.

The dogs sleep undisturbed, indicating the routine nature of the train’s journey.

15. In the farm she passes no one wakes,

The train’s passage is so regular that it doesn’t disturb the inhabitants of the farm.

16. But a jug in the bedroom gently shakes.

Its presence is subtly felt, as indicated by the slight movement of a jug.

17. Dawn freshens, the climb is done.

As morning approaches, the train completes its uphill journey.

18. Down towards Glasgow she descends

The train now moves towards Glasgow, a major city in Scotland.

19. Towards the steam tugs yelping down the glade of cranes,

The industrial sounds of the city contrast with the earlier natural scenes.

20. Towards the fields of apparatus, the furnaces

The train approaches industrial areas, emphasizing the connection between rural and urban.

21. Set on the dark plain like gigantic chessmen.

Industrial structures are compared to chess pieces, suggesting their strategic importance.

22. All Scotland waits for her:

The entire country anticipates the train’s arrival, showing its significance.

23. In the dark glens, beside the pale-green sea lochs

The scenic beauty of Scotland is described.

24. Men long for news.

People eagerly await the letters and news the train brings.

25. Letters of thanks, letters from banks,

The train carries various types of letters, from expressions of gratitude to official bank correspondence.

26. Letters of joy from the girl and the boy,

Personal letters filled with happiness from everyday individuals are mentioned.

27. Receipted bills and invitations

The train carries bills that have been paid and invitations to events.

28. To inspect new stock or visit relations,

Some letters might be business-related, inviting someone to check new inventory, while others are personal, inviting family visits.

29. And applications for situations

Job applications are also among the mail, indicating people’s hopes for employment.

30. And timid lovers’ declarations

Love letters, possibly from those too shy to express their feelings in person, are also transported.

31. And gossip, gossip from all the nations,

The train carries letters filled with news and rumors from various places.

32. News circumstantial, news financial,

Different types of news, both personal and financial, are conveyed through the letters.

33. Letters with holiday snaps to enlarge in,

Photographs from vacations, perhaps to be developed or enlarged, are also sent.

34. Letters with faces scrawled in the margin,

Some letters might have doodles or drawings, adding a personal touch.

35. Letters from uncles, cousins, and aunts,

Family correspondence from various relatives is highlighted.

36. Letters to Scotland from the South of France,

The train carries international mail, connecting distant places.

37. Notes from overseas to Hebrides

Even remote islands like the Hebrides receive international mail.

38. Written on paper of every hue,

The letters come in various colors, adding to the diversity of the mail.

39. The pink, the violet, the white and the blue,

Specific colors of the letters are mentioned, painting a vivid image.

40. The chatty, the catty, the boring, adoring,

The content of the letters varies, from casual chats to love letters.

41. The cold and official and the heart’s outpouring,

Some letters are formal, while others are deeply emotional.

42. Clever, stupid, short and long,

The letters vary in intelligence, length, and content.

43. The typed and the printed and the spelt all wrong.

Different methods of writing are mentioned, from typed to handwritten, with some having spelling errors.

44. Thousands are still asleep

Many people are still sleeping, unaware of the train’s journey.

45. Dreaming of terrifying monsters,

Some might be having nightmares.

46. Or of friendly tea beside the band at Cranston’s or Crawford’s:

Others dream of pleasant moments, like having tea at popular spots.

47. Asleep in working Glasgow, asleep in well-set Edinburgh,

People in major cities like Glasgow and Edinburgh are still in slumber.

48. Asleep in granite Aberdeen,

Even in Aberdeen, known for its granite buildings, people are asleep.

49. They continue their dreams,

The sleepers remain in their dream worlds.

50. And shall wake soon and long for letters,

Soon, they’ll awaken and eagerly await their mail.

51. And none will hear the postman’s knock

Everyone anticipates the postman’s arrival.

52. Without a quickening of the heart,

The sound of the postman evokes excitement and anticipation.

53. For who can bear to feel himself forgotten?

The poem concludes by emphasizing the universal human desire for connection and the fear of being overlooked or forgotten.

Note: Letters of condolence to Highlands and Lowlands Sympathy letters sent to various regions of Scotland are mentioned.

Summary of the poem

The poem begins with the Night Mail train’s journey across a border, carrying various forms of mail for its recipients. As it ascends the Beattock, it maintains a consistent pace, ensuring it remains punctual. Propelled by a steam engine, the train releases plumes of white steam as it traverses diverse terrains. Birds, startled by its passage, gaze at the train’s emotionless carriages, which are depicted with human-like attributes.

As the train moves forward, it passes by farms where residents are deep in slumber. With the break of dawn, the uphill journey concludes, and the train’s direction shifts towards Glasgow. This Scottish city, known for its industrial landscape, is still quiet in the early morning hours. Yet, its inhabitants eagerly await the train, hoping for news and messages.

The poet elaborates on the myriad contents of the train: a plethora of letters varying in purpose, tone, and appearance. These letters range from formal invitations to heartfelt confessions of love, from meticulously typed documents to those with errors. They capture the essence of human communication in all its diversity.

While many still rest in cities like Glasgow and Edinburgh, they harbor the hope of waking up to letters. The mere sound of the postman’s knock will set their hearts racing, for in the poet’s words, who wishes to confront the pain of being overlooked or forgotten?

Critical analysis of the poem

• The Night Mail by W. H. Auden is an engaging depiction of a mail train's journey and the important letters it carries.
• The poem's rhythmic and rhyming style resembles the steady movement of a train, giving a strong sense of speed and motion.
• This rhythm creates a song-like quality, which makes it enjoyable to listen to.
• Auden skillfully uses imagery to paint a clear picture of the landscapes the Night Mail travels through.
• The poem describes scenes from the peaceful cotton-grass and moorland boulders to the lively city of Glasgow, showcasing the variety of environments in Britain.
• This imagery not only creates beautiful scenes but also highlights the contrast between the untouched nature and the human-made train.
• The train is described with human-like qualities, appearing as a hardworking presence that connects people and delivers messages.
• The term blank-faced coaches suggests a sense of coldness and mechanical nature, showing the train's functional aspect.
• However, the letters they transport are emotional and diverse, ranging from love notes to official documents.
• At its core, the poem celebrates communication and connection.
• In a time before quick digital messaging, letters were important symbols of relationships and feelings.
• The variety of letters in the Night Mail highlights the train's role in connecting people, showing that everyone, no matter their background, has a need for connection.
• The poem also subtly reflects on society, with the industrial scenes of Glasgow, filled with fields of apparatus and tall furnaces, hinting at Britain's changes during Auden's era.
• Despite these changes, the core human emotions of anticipation, hope, and the fear of being forgotten remain unchanged.
• The poem highlights our deep desire to be remembered, to matter, and to connect with others.
• The universal feeling of waiting for the postman and the worry of being overlooked resonate with readers of all ages.
• In The Night Mail, Auden turns the ordinary topic of a mail train's trip into a deep exploration of human connection and the many landscapes—both real and emotional—that we experience in life.