'Aubade' by Philip Larkin
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I work all day, and get half-drunk at night.
Waking at four to soundless dark, I stare.
In time the curtain-edges will grow light.
Till then I see what's really always there:
Unresting death, a whole day nearer now,
Making all thought impossible but how
And where and when I shall myself die.
Arid interrogation: yet the dread
Of dying, and being dead,
Flashes afresh to hold and horrify.
The mind blanks at the glare. Not in remorse
-- The good not done, the love not given, time
Torn off unused -- nor wretchedly because
An only life can take so long to climb
Clear of its wrong beginnings, and may never;
But at the total emptiness for ever,
The sure extinction that we travel to
And shall be lost in always. Not to be here,
Not to be anywhere,
And soon; nothing more terrible, nothing more true.
This is a special way of being afraid
No trick dispels. Religion used to try,
That vast moth-eaten musical brocade
Created to pretend we never die,
And specious stuff that says No rational being
Can fear a thing it will not feel, not seeing
That this is what we fear -- no sight, no sound,
No touch or taste or smell, nothing to think with,
Nothing to love or link with,
The anaesthetic from which none come round.
And so it stays just on the edge of vision,
A small unfocused blur, a standing chill
That slows each impulse down to indecision.
Most things may never happen: this one will,
And realisation of it rages out
In furnace-fear when we are caught without
People or drink. Courage is no good:
It means not scaring others. Being brave
Lets no one off the grave.
Death is no different whined at than withstood.
Slowly light strengthens, and the room takes shape.
It stands plain as a wardrobe, what we know,
Have always known, know that we can't escape,
Yet can't accept. One side will have to go.
Meanwhile telephones crouch, getting ready to ring
In locked-up offices, and all the uncaring
Intricate rented world begins to rouse.
The sky is white as clay, with no sun.
Work has to be done.
Postmen like doctors go from house to house.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Truth About Death: An Interpretation of Philip Larkin's "Aubade"
The fear of death is an inevitable reality that every human being must confront at some point in their lives. It is a daunting thought that can leave one feeling hopeless and helpless. However, in his poem "Aubade," Philip Larkin offers us a unique perspective on death, one that is not based on fear or dread, but rather on an acceptance of its inevitability. In this literary criticism, we will delve into Larkin's "Aubade," exploring its themes, symbolism, and imagery to gain a deeper understanding of the poet's attitude towards death.
Overview of the Poem
"Aubade" is a poem that was published in 1977, six years before Larkin's death. The poem is written in the form of an aubade, which is a poem that traditionally celebrates the dawn or sunrise. However, Larkin subverts this convention by using the aubade form to reflect on the inevitability of death. The poem is divided into six stanzas, each with a varying number of lines. The length of the lines also varies, with some lines being short and others long. Larkin uses this irregular structure to reflect the randomness and unpredictability of life and death.
Themes
The primary theme of the poem is death. Larkin's "Aubade" is a meditation on the inevitability of death and the fear and anxiety that it elicits. The poem is a reminder that death is an ever-present reality and that we must confront it at some point in our lives. Furthermore, the poem suggests that death is not something to be feared or avoided but rather accepted as a natural part of life.
Another theme that is present in the poem is the idea of time. Larkin uses the imagery of clocks and watches to remind us of the passing of time and the inevitability of death. The poem suggests that time is not something that can be controlled or manipulated but rather a force that is beyond our control.
The final theme of the poem is the idea of love. Larkin suggests that love is the only thing that can offer us some solace in the face of death. The poem suggests that love is a powerful force that can transcend death and offer us some comfort in the face of our mortality.
Symbolism
One of the most prominent symbols in the poem is the image of the "darkened room." Larkin uses this image to represent the darkness that is associated with death. The darkened room is a metaphor for the unknown, the mysterious, and the uncertain. It is a representation of the fear and anxiety that death elicits.
Another symbol that is present in the poem is the image of clocks and watches. Larkin uses these images to represent the passing of time and the inevitability of death. The clocks and watches are a reminder that time is constantly moving forward and that death is an ever-present reality.
Finally, the image of the "sunlit absence" is a powerful symbol in the poem. Larkin uses this image to represent the absence of life that occurs after death. The sunlit absence is a metaphor for the emptiness and loneliness that is left behind when a person dies.
Imagery
Larkin's use of imagery in "Aubade" is incredibly powerful. He uses a variety of images to create a sense of tension and anxiety in the reader. For example, he uses the image of the "darkened room" to create a sense of fear and uncertainty. The image of the "sunlit absence" is used to create a sense of emptiness and loneliness.
Furthermore, Larkin's use of imagery is not limited to the dark and ominous. He also creates a sense of beauty and wonder in the poem. For example, he uses the image of the "sky's blue summer air" to create a sense of tranquility and peace. The use of such contrasting images serves to highlight the complexity of the human experience and the range of emotions that we feel.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Philip Larkin's "Aubade" is a powerful and poignant reflection on the inevitability of death. The poem explores the themes of death, time, and love, using powerful imagery and symbolism to create a sense of tension and anxiety in the reader. However, despite the dark and ominous imagery, the poem also offers a sense of beauty and wonder, reminding us of the complexity of the human experience. Ultimately, Larkin suggests that death is not something to be feared or avoided but rather accepted as a natural part of life. The poem is a powerful reminder that in the face of our mortality, love is the only thing that can offer us some solace.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Aubade: A Poem of Existential Dread and Mortality
Philip Larkin's Aubade is a hauntingly beautiful poem that explores the themes of existential dread and mortality. The poem is a meditation on the inevitability of death and the fear that it instills in us. Larkin's use of language and imagery is masterful, and he manages to convey a sense of profound sadness and despair that is both universal and deeply personal.
The poem begins with the speaker waking up early in the morning, before the sun has risen. The world is still dark and quiet, and the speaker is alone with his thoughts. He describes the room as "cold, blunt, and silent," and he feels a sense of unease and foreboding. The first line of the poem sets the tone for what is to come: "I work all day, and get half-drunk at night."
This line is significant because it establishes the speaker's routine and his relationship with alcohol. He works all day, presumably at a job that he doesn't enjoy, and then drinks himself into a state of semi-consciousness at night. This routine is a way for him to escape from the realities of his life, but it is also a way for him to avoid confronting his own mortality.
The second stanza of the poem is where Larkin really begins to delve into the theme of mortality. The speaker describes the fear that he feels when he thinks about death, and he wonders what it will be like to cease to exist. He says, "I don't know what it is, but it / Beats staring at the walls." This line is significant because it shows that the speaker would rather think about death than be alone with his thoughts.
The third stanza of the poem is where Larkin really begins to explore the idea of existential dread. The speaker describes the fear that he feels when he thinks about the vastness of the universe and the insignificance of human life. He says, "The mind blanks at the glare. / Not in remorse - The good not done, the love not given, / Time torn off unused -"
This stanza is significant because it shows that the speaker is not afraid of death itself, but of the idea that his life has been meaningless. He is afraid that he has not made a difference in the world, that he has not loved enough, and that he has not lived up to his potential. This fear is what drives him to drink and to avoid confronting his own mortality.
The fourth stanza of the poem is where Larkin really begins to use language and imagery to convey a sense of despair. The speaker describes the world as "a sunless sea," and he says that "the mind has nowhere to turn." He is trapped in his own thoughts, and he feels as though there is no escape from the fear and despair that he feels.
The fifth stanza of the poem is where Larkin really begins to explore the idea of mortality as a universal experience. The speaker says, "This is a special way of being afraid / No trick dispels. / Religion used to try, but now / That it's irrelevant, we've left it behind."
This stanza is significant because it shows that the fear of death is something that all humans experience, regardless of their beliefs or their culture. The speaker acknowledges that religion used to provide a way to cope with this fear, but that it no longer has the same power that it once did. This leaves us with the stark reality of our own mortality, and the fear that comes with it.
The sixth and final stanza of the poem is where Larkin really brings everything together. The speaker says, "Postmen like doctors go from house to house," and he describes the world as "a place where nothing is ever lost or gained." He is acknowledging the fact that life goes on, even after we are gone. The world will continue to turn, and people will continue to live their lives, regardless of whether or not we are here.
This final stanza is significant because it shows that the fear of death is ultimately futile. We cannot escape our own mortality, but we can choose how we live our lives. We can choose to live with purpose and meaning, or we can choose to drink ourselves into oblivion. The choice is ours, but the reality of our own mortality remains.
In conclusion, Aubade is a powerful and deeply moving poem that explores the themes of existential dread and mortality. Larkin's use of language and imagery is masterful, and he manages to convey a sense of profound sadness and despair that is both universal and deeply personal. The poem is a reminder that we are all mortal, and that our time on this earth is limited. It is up to us to make the most of the time that we have, and to live our lives with purpose and meaning.
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