THE NIGHT MAIL
By W. H Auden
Text
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’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.
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,
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.
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,
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?
Glossary
night mail – the train that carries letters and parcels
overnight.
crossing the Border – moving from England into Scotland.
cheque – a written bank order for payment.
postal order – a printed money form bought at a post office to send
money safely.
shop
at the corner – a small local shop.
girl next door – an ordinary, friendly neighbour.
Beattock – a steep railway summit in southern Scotland.
steady climb – a constant upward movement.
gradient – the slope or steepness of the track.
against her – opposing her movement, making it harder to go uphill.
on time – running punctually.
cotton-grass – a white, fluffy plant growing on wet moorland.
moorland – wild, open, uncultivated land covered with grass and heather.
boulder – a large rounded rock.
shovelling white steam – throwing out puffs of steam like a person
shovelling coal or snow;
snorting – making loud puffing sounds like an animal or engine.
wind-bent grasses – grasses bowed or bent by the wind.
This stanza contrasts the train’s noise with the quiet countryside.
approaches – comes near.
blank-faced coaches – train carriages with expressionless, windowless
sides; suggests impersonal machinery.
turn her course – change her direction.
slumber – sleep peacefully.
paws across – front legs folded while resting.
Shows the unstoppable train moving through a sleeping world.
jug
– a container for water or milk.
gently shakes – vibrates slightly from the train’s rumble.
dawn freshens – morning light brightens the air.
descends – goes downhill.
steam tugs – small steam-powered boats used to pull ships.
yelping – giving short, sharp cries (here, the sound of whistles).
glade of cranes – an open stretch filled with tall loading cranes.
apparatus – industrial machines or equipment.
furnaces – large industrial ovens for melting metals.
gigantic chessmen – metaphor for factories or machines standing like
pieces on a chessboard.
glens
– narrow mountain valleys.
lochs – Scottish lakes.
long for – eagerly desire or wait for.
Shows people’s anticipation for letters and news.
receipted bills – bills marked as paid.
invitations – requests to attend events.
inspect new stock – look at new goods for sale.
applications for situations – job applications (old-fashioned phrase).
timid lovers’ declarations – shy confessions of love.
circumstantial news – detailed or descriptive information.
financial news – information about business or money matters.
snaps
– photographs.
to enlarge in – to develop or print larger photos later.
scrawled – roughly or quickly drawn or written.
margin – the blank edge of a page.
South of France – a warm region often visited on holiday.
condolence – sympathy offered for someone’s loss.
Highlands and Lowlands – the northern and southern regions of Scotland.
hue – colour.
chatty – friendly, talkative in tone.
catty – spiteful or gossipy.
outpouring – an intense expression of emotion.
spelt all wrong – containing spelling mistakes.
This stanza lists the variety and emotion in human correspondence.
terrifying monsters – frightening dreams.
Cranston’s or Crawford’s – famous tea-rooms in Scottish cities (Glasgow
or Edinburgh).
Shows everyday people dreaming of fear or comfort.
working Glasgow – the industrial, laboring city.
well-set Edinburgh – refined and elegant capital city.
granite Aberdeen – city known for its grey-stone buildings.
postman’s knock – the sound of the postman delivering letters.
quickening of the heart – sudden excitement or joy.
bear – endure.
feel himself forgotten – feel ignored or unloved.
The ending expresses the universal human longing for remembrance and
connection.
Stanza wise summary
Stanza 1
This is
the Night Mail …………. the girl next door.
Summary
The Night
Mail train travels through the night, crossing from England into Scotland. It
carries money—cheques and postal orders—and letters meant for everyone, whether
rich or poor. It delivers to shops, homes, and ordinary people living next
door. The post unites the whole nation, touching every life.
рдиाрдЗрдЯ рдоेрд▓ рдЯ्рд░ेрди рд░ाрдд рдХे рд╕рдордп рдЪрд▓рддी рд╣ै, рдЗंрдЧ्рд▓ैंрдб рд╕े рдиिрдХрд▓рдХрд░ рд╕्рдХॉрдЯрд▓ैंрдб рдХी рд╕ीрдоा рдкाрд░ рдХрд░рддी рд╣ुрдИ। рдпрд╣ рдзрдирд░ाрд╢िрдпाँ — рдЪेрдХ рдФрд░ рдбाрдХ рдордиी рдСрд░्рдбрд░ — рддрдеा рдкрдд्рд░ рд▓ेрдХрд░ рдЬाрддी рд╣ै рдЬो рдЕрдоीрд░ рдФрд░ рдЧрд░ीрдм, рджोрдиों рдХे рд▓िрдП рд╣ोрддे рд╣ैं। рдпрд╣ рджुрдХाрдиों, рдШрд░ों рдФрд░ рдкाрд╕-рдкрдб़ोрд╕ рдХे рд▓ोрдЧों рддрдХ рдбाрдХ рдкрд╣ुँрдЪाрддी рд╣ै। рдбाрдХ рдкूрд░े рджेрд╢ рдХो рдПрдХ рд╕ूрдд्рд░ рдоें рдмाँрдз рджेрддी рд╣ै, рд╣рд░ рдЬीрд╡рди рдХो рд╕्рдкрд░्рд╢ рдХрд░рддी рд╣ुрдИ।
Stanza 2
Pulling
up ……………… she’s on time.
Summary
The train moves steadily uphill over Beattock Summit, a difficult slope in
southern Scotland. Although the gradient is steep and resists her progress, the
train continues determinedly and keeps to her schedule.
рдЯ्рд░ेрди рдзीрд░े-рдзीрд░े рджрдХ्рд╖िрдгी рд╕्рдХॉрдЯрд▓ैंрдб рдХी рдПрдХ рдХрдаिрди рдЪрдв़ाрдИ — рдмीрдЯॉрдХ рд╢िрдЦрд░ — рдкрд░ рдЪрдв़рддी рдЬाрддी рд╣ै। рдпрдж्рдпрдкि рд░ाрд╕्рддा рдКँрдЪा рдФрд░ рдХрдаिрди рд╣ै, рдЬो рдЙрд╕рдХी рдЧрддि рдХो рд░ोрдХрдиे рдХी рдХोрд╢िрд╢ рдХрд░рддा рд╣ै, рдлिрд░ рднी рдЯ्рд░ेрди рджृрдв़рддा рд╕े рдЖрдЧे рдмрдв़рддी рд░рд╣рддी рд╣ै рдФрд░ рдЕрдкрдиे рд╕рдордп-рд╕ाрд░рдгी рдХे рдЕрдиुрд╕ाрд░ рдЪрд▓рддी рд░рд╣рддी рд╣ै।
Stanza 3
Past
cotton-grass and moorland boulder
Shovelling white steam over her shoulder,
Summary
The train travels through wild moorland covered with cotton-grass and scattered
rocks, sending great clouds of white steam behind her, like a labourer throwing
snow or coal over the shoulder.
рдЯ्рд░ेрди рдЬंрдЧрд▓ी рджрд▓рджрд▓ी рдоैрджाрдиों рд╕े рд╣ोрдХрд░ рдЧुрдЬрд░рддी рд╣ै, рдЬो рд╕рдлेрдж рдХрдкाрд╕ рдЬैрд╕े рдШाрд╕ (рдХॉрдЯрди-рдЧ्рд░ाрд╕) рдФрд░ рдЗрдзрд░-рдЙрдзрд░ рдлैрд▓े рдкрдд्рдерд░ों рд╕े рдврдХे рд╣ुрдП рд╣ैं। рд╡рд╣ рдЕрдкрдиे рдкीрдЫे рд╕рдлेрдж рднाрдк рдХे рдмрдб़े-рдмрдб़े рдЧुрдЪ्рдЫे рдЙрдб़ाрддी рдЬाрддी рд╣ै, рдоाрдиो рдХोрдИ рдордЬрджूрд░ рдЕрдкрдиे рдХंрдзे рдХे рдКрдкрд░ рд╕े рдмрд░्рдл рдпा рдХोрдпрд▓ा рдлेंрдХ рд░рд╣ा рд╣ो।
Stanza 4
Snorting
noisily as she passes
Silent miles of wind-bent grasses.
Summary
The train snorts and rumbles loudly while moving through long stretches of
quiet countryside, where the grasses bend in the wind. The mechanical noise
contrasts with nature’s calm silence.
рдЯ्рд░ेрди рдЬोрд░ рд╕े рдлुрдлрдХाрд░рддी рдФрд░ рдЧрд░рдЬрддी рд╣ुрдИ рд╢ांрдд рджेрд╣ाрддी рдХ्рд╖ेрдд्рд░ों рд╕े рдЧुрдЬрд░рддी рд╣ै, рдЬрд╣ाँ рд╣рд╡ा рдоें рдШाрд╕ें рдЭुрдХрддी рд░рд╣рддी рд╣ैं। рдорд╢ीрди рдХी рдпрд╣ рддेрдЬ़ рдЖрд╡ाрдЬ़ рдк्рд░рдХृрддि рдХी рдЧрд╣рд░ी рд╢ांрддि рд╕े рддीрд╡्рд░ рд╡िрд░ोрдз рдЙрдд्рдкрди्рди рдХрд░рддी рд╣ै।
Stanza 5
Birds
turn their heads as she approaches,
Stare from bushes at her blank-faced coaches.
Summary
As the train nears, birds turn to watch it and stare from the bushes at its
dull, expressionless carriages. The creatures of nature notice this strange,
powerful visitor rushing past.
рдЬैрд╕े рд╣ी рдЯ्рд░ेрди рдкाрд╕ рдЖрддी рд╣ै, рдкрдХ्рд╖ी рдоुрдб़рдХрд░ рдЙрд╕рдХी рдУрд░ рджेрдЦрдиे рд▓рдЧрддे рд╣ैं рдФрд░ рдЭाрдб़िрдпों рдХे рдмीрдЪ рд╕े рдЙрд╕рдХी рдлीрдХी, рднाрд╡рд╣ीрди рдбिрдм्рдмों рдХो рдиिрд╣ाрд░рддे рд╣ैं। рдк्рд░рдХृрддि рдХे рдпे рдЬीрд╡ рдЗрд╕ рдЕрдЬीрдм, рд╢рдХ्рддिрд╢ाрд▓ी рдЖрдЧंрддुрдХ рдХो рдз्рдпाрди рд╕े рджेрдЦрддे рд╣ैं рдЬो рддीрд╡्рд░ рдЧрддि рд╕े рдЙрдирдХे рдкाрд╕ рд╕े рдЧुрдЬ़рд░ рдЬाрддी рд╣ै।
Stanza 6
Sheep-dogs
cannot turn her course;
They slumber on with paws across.
Summary
The sheepdogs lying near the tracks do not wake or interfere. They keep
sleeping peacefully with their paws crossed, for nothing can alter the fixed
course of the mail train.
рдкрдЯрд░ी рдХे рдкाрд╕
рд▓ेрдЯे рд╣ुрдП рднेрдб़рдкाрд▓рдХ
рдХुрдд्рддे рди рддो рдЬाрдЧрддे рд╣ैं
рдФрд░ рди рд╣ी рдХोрдИ рд╣рд▓рдЪрд▓
рдХрд░рддे рд╣ैं। рд╡े рдЕрдкрдиे рдкंрдЬे
рдоोрдб़े рд╣ुрдП рд╢ांрддि
рд╕े рд╕ोрдП рд░рд╣рддे
рд╣ैं, рдХ्рдпोंрдХि рдиाрдЗрдЯ
рдоेрд▓ рдЯ्рд░ेрди рдХे
рдиिрд╢्рдЪिрдд рдоाрд░्рдЧ рдХो
рдХोрдИ рднी рдмрджрд▓ рдирд╣ीं рд╕рдХрддा।
Stanza 7
In the
farm she passes no one wakes,
But a jug in a bedroom gently shakes.
Paraphrase:
The train passes a farmhouse where everyone is asleep. Only a water jug
trembles slightly from the vibration of the wheels. The power of the train
disturbs objects but not people’s rest.
рдЯ्рд░ेрди рдПрдХ рдХिрд╕ाрди
рдХे рдШрд░ рдХे рдкाрд╕ рд╕े
рдЧुрдЬрд░рддी рд╣ै, рдЬрд╣ाँ
рд╕рдм рд▓ोрдЧ рдЧрд╣рд░ी
рдиींрдж рдоें рд╕ोрдП рд╣ोрддे рд╣ैं।
рдХेрд╡рд▓ рдХрдорд░े рдоें
рд░рдЦा рдПрдХ рдкाрдиी рдХा рдШрдб़ा
рдкрд╣िрдпों рдХे рдХंрдкрди рд╕े рд╣рд▓्рдХा-рд╕ा рд╣िрд▓
рдЬाрддा рд╣ै। рдЯ्рд░ेрди
рдХी рд╢рдХ्рддि рд╡рд╕्рддुрдУं
рдХो рддो рд╣िрд▓ा рджेрддी рд╣ै,
рд▓ेрдХिрди рд▓ोрдЧों рдХी
рдиींрдж рдХो рдирд╣ीं рддोрдб़ рдкाрддी।
Stanza 8
Dawn
freshens, ……………….. like gigantic chessmen.
Summary
As dawn brightens, the train finishes climbing and begins descending toward
Glasgow. She moves toward the busy docks where steam-tugs whistle among tall
cranes, and through the industrial fields filled with machinery and furnaces,
which look like giant chess pieces on the dark land.
рдЬैрд╕े рд╣ी рд╕ुрдмрд╣
рд╣ोрддी рд╣ै, рдЯ्рд░ेрди
рдЕрдкрдиी рдЪрдв़ाрдИ рдкूрд░ी
рдХрд░ рд▓ेрддी рд╣ै рдФрд░ рдЧ्рд▓ाрд╕рдЧो
рдХी рдУрд░ рдЙрддрд░рдиा
рд╢ुрд░ू рдХрд░рддी рд╣ै।
рд╡рд╣ рд╡्рдпрд╕्рдд рдмंрджрд░рдЧाрд╣ों
рдХी рдУрд░ рдмрдв़рддी
рд╣ै, рдЬрд╣ाँ рднाрдк
рдХे рдЬрд╣ाрдЬ़ рдКँрдЪे
рдХ्рд░ेрдиों рдХे рдмीрдЪ рд╕ीрдЯी рдмрдЬा
рд░рд╣े рд╣ैं, рдФрд░ рдФрдж्рдпोрдЧिрдХ рдХ्рд╖ेрдд्рд░ों рд╕े
рд╣ोрдХрд░ рдЧुрдЬрд░рддी рд╣ै
рдЬो рдорд╢ीрдиों рдФрд░
рднрдЯ्рдаिрдпों рд╕े рднрд░े
рд╣ुрдП рд╣ैं — рдЬो
рдЕंрдзेрд░ी рдЬ़рдоीрди рдкрд░
рд╡िрд╢ाрд▓ рд╢рддрд░ंрдЬ рдХी
рдЧोрдЯिрдпों рдХी рддрд░рд╣ рджिрдЦाрдИ рджेрддे
рд╣ैं।
Stanza 9
All
Scotland waits ………………. long for news.
Summary
People throughout Scotland—living in remote valleys and by green lakes—are
waiting eagerly for her arrival, hoping to receive news and letters from loved
ones far away.
рдкूрд░े рд╕्рдХॉрдЯрд▓ैंрдб рдоें — рджूрд░рд╕्рде
рдШाрдЯिрдпों рдФрд░ рд╣рд░े рдЭीрд▓ों рдХे
рдХिрдиाрд░े рд░рд╣рдиे рд╡ाрд▓े
рд▓ोрдЧ — рдЙрд╕рдХी рдк्рд░рддीрдХ्рд╖ा
рдмрдб़ी рдЙрдд्рд╕ुрдХрддा рд╕े
рдХрд░ рд░рд╣े рд╣ैं,
рдЗрд╕ рдЖрд╢ा рдоें рдХि рдЙрди्рд╣ें
рдЕрдкрдиे рдк्рд░िрдпрдЬрдиों рд╕े
рд╕рдоाрдЪाрд░ рдФрд░ рдкрдд्рд░ рдк्рд░ाрдк्рдд рд╣ोंрдЧे।
Stanza 10
Letters
of thanks, ………………… to visit relations,
Summary
The train carries every kind of letter: messages of gratitude, letters from
banks, joyful notes from children, receipts for paid bills, and invitations to
see new goods or visit relatives. It brings the business and happiness of
everyday life. рдЯ्рд░ेрди рд╣рд░ рдк्рд░рдХाрд░ рдХे рдкрдд्рд░ рд▓ेрдХрд░ рдЪрд▓рддी рд╣ै — рдзрди्рдпрд╡ाрдж рдХे рд╕ंрджेрд╢, рдмैंрдХों рдХे рдкрдд्рд░, рдмрдЪ्рдЪों рдХे рд╣рд░्рд╖рднрд░े рдиोрдЯ, рдЪुрдХाрдП рдЧрдП рдмिрд▓ों рдХी рд░рд╕ीрджें, рдФрд░ рдирдП рд╕ाрдоाрди рджेрдЦрдиे рдпा рд░िрд╢्рддेрджाрд░ों рд╕े рдоिрд▓рдиे рдХे рдиिрдоंрдд्рд░рдг рдкрдд्рд░। рдпрд╣ рд░ोрдЬ़рдорд░्рд░ा рдХे рдЬीрд╡рди рдХे рд╡्рдпाрдкाрд░ рдФрд░ рдЦुрд╢िрдпाँ рджोрдиों рдЕрдкрдиे рд╕ाрде рд▓ाрддी рд╣ै।
Stanza 11
And
applications for situations,
……………………….. circumstantial, news financial,
Summary
It also carries job applications, shy love letters, gossip from all over the
world, and detailed or financial news. Every form of communication—personal or
professional—travels in its coaches.
рдпрд╣ рдиौрдХрд░ी рдХे
рдЖрд╡ेрджрди рдкрдд्рд░, рдЭिрдЭрдХ
рднрд░े рдк्рд░ेрдордкрдд्рд░, рджुрдиिрдпा
рднрд░ рдХी рдЧрдкрд╢рдк,
рдФрд░ рд╡िрд╕्рддृрдд рдпा
рдЖрд░्рдеिрдХ рд╕рдоाрдЪाрд░ рднी
рд▓ेрдХрд░ рдЪрд▓рддी рд╣ै।
рд╡्рдпрдХ्рддिрдЧрдд рд╣ों рдпा
рд╡्рдпाрд╡рд╕ाрдпिрдХ — рд╣рд░ рдк्рд░рдХाрд░
рдХे рд╕ंрджेрд╢ рдЙрд╕рдХे
рдбिрдм्рдмों рдоें рдпाрдд्рд░ा
рдХрд░рддे рд╣ैं।
Stanza 12
Letters
with holiday …………………from the South of France,
Summary
Some letters contain holiday photographs waiting to be developed; some have
sketches of faces drawn in the margins. There are affectionate letters from
relatives and messages sent from people vacationing in the sunny South of
France to their families in Scotland.
рдХुрдЫ рдкрдд्рд░ों рдоें рдЫुрдЯ्рдЯिрдпों рдХी рддрд╕्рд╡ीрд░ें рд╣ोрддी рд╣ैं рдЬिрди्рд╣ें рд╡िрдХрд╕िрдд рдХिрдпा рдЬाрдиा рдмाрдХी рд╣ै; рдХुрдЫ рдХे рдХिрдиाрд░ों рдкрд░ рдЪेрд╣рд░ों рдХे рд░ेрдЦाрдЪिрдд्рд░ рдмрдиाрдП рдЧрдП рд╣ैं। рдХुрдЫ рд╕्рдиेрд╣рдкूрд░्рдг рдкрдд्рд░ рд░िрд╢्рддेрджाрд░ों рдХे рд╣ोрддे рд╣ैं, рдФрд░ рдХुрдЫ рдзूрдк рд╕े рднрд░े рдл्рд░ांрд╕ рдХे рджрдХ्рд╖िрдгी рднाрдЧ рдоें рдЫुрдЯ्рдЯिрдпाँ рдордиा рд░рд╣े рд▓ोрдЧों рдж्рд╡ाрд░ा рдЕрдкрдиे рдкрд░िрд╡ाрд░ों рдХो рд╕्рдХॉрдЯрд▓ैंрдб рднेрдЬे рдЧрдП рд╕ंрджेрд╢ рд╣ोрддे рд╣ैं।
Stanza 13
Letters
of condolence ……………….. the spelt all wrong.
Summary
The mail includes sympathy letters sent to all parts of Scotland—Highlands and
Lowlands—written on many colours of paper: pink, violet, white, blue. Some are
friendly, some spiteful, some dull, some full of love; some formal, others
deeply emotional; some intelligent, some foolish; some neatly typed, others
full of spelling mistakes. Every mood and variety of human expression is
represented.
рдбाрдХ рдоें рдкूрд░े
рд╕्рдХॉрдЯрд▓ैंрдб — рдКँрдЪे рдкрд╣ाрдб़ी
рдХ्рд╖ेрдд्рд░ों (рд╣ाрдЗрд▓ैंрдб्рд╕) рдФрд░ рдиिрдЪрд▓े
рдоैрджाрдиी рдЗрд▓ाрдХों (рд▓ोрд╡рд▓ैंрдб्рд╕)
— рдХो рднेрдЬे рдЧрдП рд╕рд╣ाрдиुрднूрддि-рдкрдд्рд░ рднी рд╢ाрдоिрд▓ рд╣ैं,
рдЬो рдЕрд▓рдЧ-рдЕрд▓рдЧ рд░ंрдЧों рдХे
рдХाрдЧрдЬ़ों рдкрд░ рд▓िрдЦे рдЧрдП рд╣ैं:
рдЧुрд▓ाрдмी, рдмैंрдЧрдиी, рд╕рдлेрдж
рдФрд░ рдиीрд▓े। рдХुрдЫ
рдкрдд्рд░ рдоिрдд्рд░рддाрдкूрд░्рдг рд╣ैं,
рдХुрдЫ рдХрдЯु, рдХुрдЫ
рдиीрд░рд╕ рддो рдХुрдЫ рдк्рд░ेрдо рд╕े
рднрд░े рд╣ुрдП; рдХुрдЫ
рдФрдкрдЪाрд░िрдХ рд╣ैं рддो рдХुрдЫ рдЕрдд्рдпंрдд
рднाрд╡рдиाрдд्рдордХ; рдХुрдЫ рдмुрдж्рдзिрдоाрдиी
рд╕े рд▓िрдЦे рдЧрдП рд╣ैं рддो
рдХुрдЫ рдоूрд░्рдЦрддाрдкूрд░्рдг; рдХुрдЫ
рд╕ाрдл-рд╕ुрдерд░े рдЯाрдЗрдк
рдХिрдП рдЧрдП рд╣ैं рддो рдХुрдЫ
рдоें рд╡рд░्рддрдиी рдХी
рдЧрд▓рддिрдпाँ рднрд░ी рд╣ैं।
рдЗрди рд╕рдмрдоें рдоाрдирд╡
рднाрд╡рдиाрдУं рдФрд░ рдЕрднिрд╡्рдпрдХ्рддिрдпों
рдХे рд╣рд░ рд░ूрдк рдХा рдк्рд░рддिрдиिрдзिрдд्рд╡
рдоिрд▓рддा рд╣ै।
Stanza 14
Thousands
are still asleep,
…………………… in Cranston’s or Crawford’s:
Summary
While the train races through the early morning, thousands of people are still
asleep, dreaming—some having nightmares, others imagining peaceful scenes like
enjoying tea and music in the famous tearooms of Cranston’s or Crawford’s in
Scottish cities.
рдЬрдм рдЯ्рд░ेрди рд╕ुрдмрд╣-рд╕ुрдмрд╣ рддेрдЬ़ी
рд╕े рджौрдб़ рд░рд╣ी
рд╣ोрддी рд╣ै, рддрдм рд╣рдЬ़ाрд░ों рд▓ोрдЧ рдЕрдм рднी рд╕ोрдП
рд░рд╣рддे рд╣ैं — рдХोрдИ
рдбрд░ाрд╡рдиे рд╕рдкрдиे рджेрдЦ
рд░рд╣ा рд╣ोрддा рд╣ै,
рддो рдХोрдИ рд╕ुрдЦрдж
рджृрд╢्рдп, рдЬैрд╕े рд╕्рдХॉрдЯрд▓ैंрдб
рдХे рдк्рд░рд╕िрдж्рдз рдЯीрд░ूрдо
рдХ्рд░ैрди्рд╕्рдЯрди рдпा рдХ्рд░ॉрдл़рд░्рдб
рдоें рд╕ंрдЧीрдд рд╕ुрдирддे
рд╣ुрдП рдЖрд░ाрдо рд╕े рдЪाрдп рдХा
рдЖрдиंрдж рд▓े рд░рд╣ा рд╣ो।
Stanza 15
Asleep in
working Glasgow, …………………feel himself forgotten?
Summary
People sleep on in the industrial city of Glasgow, the elegant capital
Edinburgh, and the grey-stoned city of Aberdeen. They keep dreaming, but soon
they will wake up expecting the morning mail. Every person’s heart beats faster
when the postman knocks, for no one can stand the pain of feeling forgotten.
The poem ends with a moving truth: communication keeps human love and hope
alive.
рд▓ोрдЧ рдФрдж्рдпोрдЧिрдХ рд╢рд╣рд░ рдЧ्рд▓ाрд╕рдЧो,
рд╕ुंрджрд░ рд░ाрдЬрдзाрдиी рдПрдбिрдирдмрд░ा,
рдФрд░ рдзूрд╕рд░ рдкрдд्рдерд░ों
рд╡ाрд▓े рд╢рд╣рд░ рдПрдмрд░्рдбीрди
рдоें рдЕрдм рднी рд╕ोрдП рд░рд╣рддे
рд╣ैं। рд╡े рд╕рдкрдиे рджेрдЦрддे рд░рд╣рддे
рд╣ैं, рд▓ेрдХिрди рд╢ीрдШ्рд░
рд╣ी рдЬाрдЧ рдЙрдаेंрдЧे
— рд╕ुрдмрд╣ рдХी рдбाрдХ рдХी рдк्рд░рддीрдХ्рд╖ा
рдоें। рдЬрдм рдбाрдХिрдпा
рджрд░рд╡ाрдЬ़े рдкрд░ рджрд╕्рддрдХ
рджेрддा рд╣ै, рддो рд╣рд░ рд╡्рдпрдХ्рддि
рдХा рд╣ृрджрдп рддेрдЬ़ी
рд╕े рдзрдб़рдХ рдЙрдарддा
рд╣ै, рдХ्рдпोंрдХि рдХोрдИ
рднी рдпрд╣ рдорд╣рд╕ूрд╕
рдХрд░рдиे рдХा рджрд░्рдж рдирд╣ीं рд╕рд╣
рд╕рдХрддा рдХि рдЙрд╕े рднुрд▓ा рджिрдпा
рдЧрдпा рд╣ै।
рдХрд╡िрддा рдПрдХ рдЧрд╣рд░े рдФрд░ рдоाрд░्рдоिрдХ
рд╕рдд्рдп рдХे рд╕ाрде рд╕рдоाрдк्рдд рд╣ोрддी
рд╣ै — рд╕ंрдкрд░्рдХ рдФрд░ рд╕ंрд╡ाрдж рд╣ी рдоाрдирд╡ рдк्рд░ेрдо рдФрд░ рдЖрд╢ा рдХो рдЬीрд╡िрдд рд░рдЦрддे рд╣ैं।
Q.1. MCQS
Answers)
1.
What is the title of the poem?
A) The Night Train
B) The Night Mail
C) The Border Mail
D) The Post Train
Ans: B) The Night Mail
2.
Who is the poet of the poem?
A) Robert Frost
B) T. S. Eliot
C) W. H. Auden
D) Ted Hughes
Ans: C) W. H. Auden
3.
What does the Night Mail carry?
A) Only parcels
B) Only passengers
C) Cheques, postal orders, and letters
D) Newspapers only
Ans: C) Cheques, postal orders, and letters
4.
From where to where does the train travel?
A) England to Scotland
B) Scotland to England
C) London to Paris
D) Wales to Scotland
Ans: A) England to Scotland
5.
Who receives letters from the Night Mail?
A) Only rich people
B) Only government officers
C) Both rich and poor
D) Only farmers
Ans: C) Both rich and poor
6.
What is meant by “crossing the Border”?
A) Passing over a bridge
B) Entering Scotland from England
C) Leaving a city
D) Crossing a river
Ans: B) Entering Scotland from England
7.
What unites the nation in the poem?
A) Trains
B) Roads
C) The Post
D) Electricity
Ans: C) The Post
8.
Where is the Beattock Summit located?
A) Northern Ireland
B) Southern Scotland
C) Northern England
D) Wales
Ans: B) Southern Scotland
9.
What difficulty does the train face at
Beattock?
A) Heavy rain
B) A steep gradient
C) Broken tracks
D) Thick fog
Ans: B) A steep gradient
10.
Despite the slope, how does the train
move?
A) Slowly and late
B) With determination and on time
C) Stops frequently
D) Moves backward
Ans: B) With determination and on time
11.
What kind of landscape does the train
pass?
A) City streets
B) Moorland covered with cotton-grass
C) Forest and desert
D) River banks
Ans: B) Moorland covered with cotton-grass
12.
What is the train compared to in its
effort?
A) A wild beast
B) A labourer throwing snow or coal
C) A fast bird
D) A horse
Ans: B) A labourer throwing snow or coal
13.
What does “shovelling white steam over her
shoulder” suggest?
A) Train is smoking
B) The train is hard at work
C) The train is resting
D) The engine is off
Ans: B) The train is hard at work
14.
How does the train sound while moving
through the countryside?
A) Soft and musical
B) Snorting and noisy
C) Silent
D) Melodious
Ans: B) Snorting and noisy
15.
What contrasts with the train’s noise?
A) City life
B) Silence of nature
C) Shouts of people
D) Factory sounds
Ans: B) Silence of nature
16.
What happens to grasses as the train
passes?
A) They burn
B) They bend in the wind
C) They wither
D) They grow taller
Ans: B) They bend in the wind
17.
How do birds react when the train
approaches?
A) They fly away
B) They sing loudly
C) They turn their heads and stare
D) They attack the train
Ans: C) They turn their heads and stare
18.
Where do the birds watch from?
A) Trees
B) Skies
C) Bushes
D) Lakes
Ans: C) Bushes
19.
What do the train’s carriages look like to
the birds?
A) Bright and colourful
B) Blank-faced and expressionless
C) Shiny and golden
D) Red and blue
Ans: B) Blank-faced and expressionless
20.
What do the sheepdogs do as the train
passes?
A) Bark loudly
B) Run beside it
C) Sleep peacefully
D) Chase sheep
Ans: C) Sleep peacefully
21.
What do the sheepdogs’ actions symbolize?
A) Fear of noise
B) The train’s unstoppable power
C) Laziness
D) Hunger
Ans: B) The train’s unstoppable power
22.
What happens in the farmhouse as the train
passes?
A) Everyone wakes up
B) The farmer shouts
C) No one wakes up
D) The animals run
Ans: C) No one wakes up
23.
What slightly shakes in the farmhouse?
A) A table
B) A jug
C) A clock
D) A window
Ans: B) A jug
24.
What causes the jug to shake?
A) Wind
B) The vibration of the train
C) Earthquake
D) Water waves
Ans: B) The vibration of the train
25.
What time of day begins as the train
descends?
A) Midnight
B) Dawn
C) Afternoon
D) Evening
Ans: B) Dawn
26.
To which city does the train descend?
A) London
B) Glasgow
C) Edinburgh
D) Aberdeen
Ans: B) Glasgow
27.
What is heard among the cranes near
Glasgow?
A) Steam tugs yelping
B) Birds chirping
C) Whistles of people
D) Bells ringing
Ans: A) Steam tugs yelping
28.
What do the furnaces look like?
A) Small toys
B) Gigantic chessmen
C) Burning trees
D) Bright candles
Ans: B) Gigantic chessmen
29.
What does the poet mean by “All Scotland
waits for her”?
A) The country needs the letters she brings
B) Everyone fears the train
C) The train brings passengers
D) The train carries soldiers
Ans: A) The country needs the letters she brings
30.
Where are men waiting for news?
A) In dark glens and near green lochs
B) In the capital
C) On the bridge
D) In the city square
Ans: A) In dark glens and near green lochs
31.
What type of letters does the train carry?
A) Only personal letters
B) All types of letters
C) Only business letters
D) Only official ones
Ans: B) All types of letters
32.
Which letters show gratitude?
A) Receipted bills
B) Letters of thanks
C) Letters of condolence
D) Job applications
Ans: B) Letters of thanks
33.
What kind of letters do children write?
A) Joyful letters
B) Sad letters
C) Complaint letters
D) Angry letters
Ans: A) Joyful letters
34.
What do “receipted bills” mean?
A) Bills yet to pay
B) Paid bills with receipts
C) Cheques to sign
D) Overdue bills
Ans: B) Paid bills with receipts
35.
What kind of invitations are sent?
A) To inspect new stock or visit relatives
B) To attend parties
C) To weddings
D) To official meetings
Ans: A) To inspect new stock or visit relatives
36.
What do “applications for situations”
refer to?
A) Weather reports
B) Job applications
C) School exams
D) Marriage proposals
Ans: B) Job applications
37.
What do “timid lovers’ declarations” mean?
A) Angry letters
B) Love letters written shyly
C) Business offers
D) Political appeals
Ans: B) Love letters written shyly
38.
What do “news circumstantial” and “news
financial” represent?
A) General and business news
B) Religious news
C) Sports news
D) Gossip
Ans: A) General and business news
39.
What do “holiday snaps” mean?
A) Newspapers
B) Vacation photographs
C) Snacks during travel
D) Souvenirs
Ans: B) Vacation photographs
40.
What do “faces scrawled on the margin”
suggest?
A) Children’s drawings
B) Rough sketches on letters
C) Ink stains
D) Signatures
Ans: B) Rough sketches on letters
41.
Where do some letters come from?
A) The South of France
B) Italy
C) Spain
D) Germany
Ans: A) The South of France
42.
To whom are condolence letters sent?
A) Families in Highlands and Lowlands
B) Kings and queens
C) Soldiers abroad
D) Foreigners
Ans: A) Families in Highlands and Lowlands
43.
On what kinds of paper are letters
written?
A) Only white
B) Pink, violet, white, and blue
C) Red and yellow
D) Brown and grey
Ans: B) Pink, violet, white, and blue
44.
What do “the chatty, the catty” letters
show?
A) Different tones of communication
B) Only jokes
C) Official language
D) Long letters
Ans: A) Different tones of communication
45.
What does “the boring, the adoring” imply?
A) Some dull, some loving letters
B) Business documents
C) Political messages
D) Financial records
Ans: A) Some dull, some loving letters
46.
What does “typed and the printed” refer
to?
A) Modern forms of letters
B) Telephone messages
C) Handwritten notes
D) Telegrams
Ans: A) Modern forms of letters
47.
What does “spelt all wrong” indicate?
A) Printing errors
B) Poor spelling in handwritten letters
C) Grammar correction
D) Lost letters
Ans: B) Poor spelling in handwritten letters
48.
When the train travels, what are thousands
of people doing?
A) Working
B) Sleeping
C) Eating
D) Reading
Ans: B) Sleeping
49.
What kind of dreams do people have?
A) Of monsters or of peaceful tea time
B) Of trains
C) Of letters
D) Of war
Ans: A) Of monsters or of peaceful tea time
50.
What are Cranston’s and Crawford’s?
A) Famous tearooms in Scotland
B) Post offices
C) Hotels
D) Train stations
Ans: A) Famous tearooms in Scotland
51.
Where are people asleep according to the
poem?
A) Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Aberdeen
B) London and Paris
C) Dublin and Belfast
D) Wales and Cornwall
Ans: A) Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Aberdeen
52.
How is Glasgow described?
A) Industrial city
B) Mountain town
C) Seaside village
D) Farming area
Ans: A) Industrial city
53.
How is Edinburgh described?
A) Well-set and elegant
B) Poor and dull
C) Cold and empty
D) Industrial
Ans: A) Well-set and elegant
54.
How is Aberdeen described?
A) Granite city
B) Capital city
C) Fishing town
D) Forest town
Ans: A) Granite city
55.
What are people doing while asleep?
A) Dreaming
B) Working
C) Reading
D) Writing letters
Ans: A) Dreaming
56.
Why will people soon wake up?
A) To go to work
B) To receive the morning mail
C) Because of noise
D) Because of light
Ans: B) To receive the morning mail
57.
How do people feel when the postman
knocks?
A) Indifferent
B) Excited and hopeful
C) Angry
D) Nervous
Ans: B) Excited and hopeful
58.
What does the poet say no one can bear?
A) Hunger
B) Feeling forgotten
C) Losing money
D) Being scolded
Ans: B) Feeling forgotten
59.
What message does the poem end with?
A) Communication keeps love and hope alive
B) Money is important
C) Sleep is peaceful
D) Nature is beautiful
Ans: A) Communication keeps love and hope alive
60.
What is the main theme of “The Night
Mail”?
A) Importance of communication and connection among people
B) Journey of a passenger train
C) Modern industrial growth
D) Dangers of speed
Ans: A) Importance of communication and connection among people
Q.2. One-Mark Questions
1.
Where is the Night Mail train going?
The Night Mail train is crossing from England into Scotland.
2.
What does the Night Mail carry?
It carries cheques, postal orders, and letters for everyone.
3.
Who receives the letters sent by the Night
Mail?
Both the rich and the poor receive its letters.
4.
What does the Night Mail deliver to the
shop at the corner and the girl next door?
It delivers letters and postal orders.
5.
What does the train symbolize in the poem?
It symbolizes connection and unity among people.
6.
What is Beattock?
Beattock is a summit in southern Scotland.
7.
What kind of climb is Beattock?
It is a steady but difficult climb.
8.
Does the train reach Beattock on time?
Yes, it reaches on time despite the gradient.
9.
What natural features does the train pass?
It passes cotton-grass and moorland boulders.
10.
What does the train throw behind her?
She throws white steam over her shoulder.
11.
What is the steam compared to?
It is compared to a labourer shovelling snow or coal.
12.
How does the train move through the
countryside?
It snorts noisily while passing through the silent fields.
13.
What bends in the wind as the train
passes?
The long grasses bend in the wind.
14.
How do birds react when the train
approaches?
They turn their heads and stare from the bushes.
15.
How are the train’s coaches described?
They are described as blank-faced and expressionless.
16.
What do the sheepdogs do as the train
passes?
They remain asleep with their paws crossed.
17.
Why can’t the sheepdogs turn the train’s
course?
Because the train’s route is fixed and unstoppable.
18.
What happens in the farmhouse as the train
passes?
No one wakes up; only a jug shakes slightly.
19.
What causes the jug to shake?
The vibration of the train’s wheels causes it.
20.
What time of day begins as the train
finishes its climb?
Dawn begins as the climb is done.
21.
Which city does the train move toward
after Beattock?
It moves toward Glasgow.
22.
What sounds are heard near Glasgow’s
docks?
Steam tugs are heard yelping among cranes.
23.
What fills the industrial fields near
Glasgow?
Machinery and furnaces fill the fields.
24.
What do the furnaces look like in the
dark?
They look like gigantic chessmen on the plain.
25.
Who is waiting for the Night Mail?
All Scotland is waiting for her.
26.
Where do men long for news?
In dark glens and beside pale-green lochs.
27.
What emotions fill people waiting for
letters?
They are filled with eagerness and hope.
28.
What kinds of letters does the train
carry?
It carries letters of thanks, banks, joy, and invitations.
29.
What do “receipted bills” mean?
They are bills that have already been paid.
30.
What are invitations for in the poem?
To inspect new stock or visit relatives.
31.
What are “applications for situations”?
They are job applications.
32.
What are “timid lovers’ declarations”?
They are shy love letters.
33.
What kinds of news are mentioned in the
poem?
Circumstantial and financial news.
34.
What does “gossip from all the nations”
refer to?
It means personal or social talk shared through letters.
35.
What are “holiday snaps” in the poem?
They are photographs taken during vacations.
36.
What are “faces scrawled on the margin”?
They are sketches drawn on the sides of letters.
37.
From where do some letters come to
Scotland?
From the South of France.
38.
What type of letters are sent to Highlands
and Lowlands?
Letters of condolence are sent there.
39.
On what colours of paper are letters
written?
On pink, violet, white, and blue paper.
40.
What do the different colours of paper
show?
They show the variety of human emotions.
41.
What kinds of letters are mentioned?
Chatty, catty, boring, adoring, and official letters.
42.
What does “typed and printed” refer to?
To letters produced by machines instead of handwriting.
43.
What does “spelt all wrong” mean?
It means some letters contain spelling mistakes.
44.
What are people doing while the train
travels?
They are asleep in various cities of Scotland.
45.
What do people dream about?
They dream of monsters or pleasant tea-time scenes.
46.
What are Cranston’s and Crawford’s?
They are famous tearooms in Scottish cities.
47.
What do the sleeping people in Glasgow
represent?
They represent the working class still at rest.
48.
How is Edinburgh described in the poem?
It is described as well-set and elegant.
49.
How is Aberdeen described?
It is called the granite city.
50.
What connects all these sleeping cities?
The arrival of the morning mail.
51.
What will people do when they wake up?
They will hope for letters in the morning.
52.
How do people feel when the postman
knocks?
Their hearts quicken with excitement.
53.
What does the knock of the postman
symbolize?
It symbolizes human hope and connection.
54.
Why can’t people bear to feel forgotten?
Because everyone longs for love and remembrance.
55.
What is the central theme of the poem?
The importance of communication in human life.
56.
What emotion does the poem end with?
It ends with warmth, hope, and emotional connection.
57.
How does Auden personify the train?
He gives it human traits like effort and determination.
58.
What poetic device is used in “shovelling
white steam”?
It is a metaphor.
59.
What tone runs through the poem?
A tone of admiration and affection for the train.
60.
What is the final message of “The Night
Mail”?
Communication keeps human love and hope alive forever.
Q. 3. Reference To
Context
Extract 1:
“This is the Night Mail crossing the Border,
Bringing the cheque and the postal order.”
1.
What is the Night Mail?
It is a train that carries mail from England to Scotland.
2.
What does the word “Border” refer to?
It refers to the boundary between England and Scotland.
3.
What does the Night Mail bring?
It brings cheques and postal orders.
4.
Who wrote this poem?
The poem was written by W. H. Auden.
5.
What is the tone of these lines?
The tone is energetic and purposeful.
6.
What does this train symbolize?
It symbolizes connection and communication among people.
Extract 2:
“Pulling up Beattock, a steady climb:
The gradient’s against her, but she’s on time.”
1.
What is Beattock?
It is a summit in southern Scotland.
2.
What does “gradient’s against her” mean?
It means the train is moving uphill.
3.
Who is referred to as “her”?
The train is personified as “her.”
4.
What quality of the train is shown here?
Her punctuality and determination.
5.
What poetic device is used in “she’s on
time”?
Personification.
6.
What feeling does the poet express here?
Admiration for the train’s power and reliability.
Extract 3:
“Past cotton-grass and moorland boulder,
Shovelling white steam over her shoulder.”
1.
What is cotton-grass?
A plant found in moorlands.
2.
What is the train doing here?
It is moving fast through the moorland.
3.
What does “shovelling white steam” compare
to?
It compares the steam to snow being shoveled.
4.
What poetic device is used here?
Metaphor.
5.
What image does this create?
A vivid image of motion and energy.
6.
What does “over her shoulder” signify?
It signifies the steam trailing behind the train.
Extract 4:
“Birds turn their heads as she passes,
Stare from the bushes at her blank-faced coaches.”
1.
Who is “she”?
The Night Mail train.
2.
What do the birds do?
They turn and stare at the passing train.
3.
What does “blank-faced coaches” mean?
It means the carriages look expressionless and silent.
4.
What poetic device is used in
“blank-faced”?
Personification.
5.
What atmosphere is created here?
Stillness disturbed by the passing train.
6.
What contrast do these lines show?
The contrast between motion and stillness.
Extract 5:
“Sheep-dogs cannot turn her course;
They sleep on with paws across.”
1.
What are the sheepdogs doing?
They are sleeping peacefully.
2.
What does “cannot turn her course” mean?
The dogs can’t stop or change the train’s direction.
3.
What poetic device is used here?
Personification of the train as “her.”
4.
What mood is shown in these lines?
Calmness and inevitability.
5.
What does it tell about the train?
It moves with unstoppable power.
6.
What contrast is visible here?
The still dogs vs. the moving train.
Extract 6:
“In the farm she passes no one wakes,
But a jug in the bedroom gently shakes.”
1.
What happens when the train passes the
farm?
No one wakes up.
2.
What shakes in the bedroom?
A jug.
3.
Why does the jug shake?
Because of the vibration caused by the train.
4.
What poetic device is used here?
Imagery.
5.
What does this scene show?
The quiet countryside affected by the train’s movement.
6.
What emotion is conveyed?
Peace and subtle motion.
Extract 7:
“Dawn freshens, the climb is done,
Down towards Glasgow she descends.”
1.
What time of day is it?
It is early morning.
2.
What does “climb is done” mean?
The train has finished climbing the hill.
3.
Where is the train heading now?
Towards Glasgow.
4.
What does “freshens” suggest?
It suggests newness and renewal.
5.
What is the tone here?
Hopeful and calm.
6.
What mood is created?
A sense of relief and progress.
Extract 8:
“All Scotland waits for her:
In the dark glens, beside the pale-green lochs.”
1.
Who is “her”?
The Night Mail train.
2.
What does all Scotland wait for?
The mail she brings.
3.
What are glens and lochs?
Glens are valleys; lochs are lakes.
4.
What does this image show?
People across all regions await letters.
5.
What feeling is expressed?
Expectation and hope.
6.
What poetic device is used?
Imagery.
Extract 9:
“Letters of thanks, letters from banks,
Letters of joy from girl and boy.”
1.
What kinds of letters are mentioned?
Thank-you, bank, and joyful letters.
2.
Who sends them?
Girls and boys, among others.
3.
What poetic device is used here?
Rhyme.
4.
What do these letters symbolize?
Human emotion and connection.
5.
What mood do they create?
Happiness and warmth.
6.
What is the effect of repetition?
It emphasizes variety in human communication.
Extract 10:
“Applications for situations,
And timid lovers’ declarations.”
1.
What is meant by “applications for
situations”?
Job applications.
2.
What are “timid lovers’ declarations”?
Shy love letters.
3.
What do these lines show?
Different human emotions and needs.
4.
What poetic device is used?
Alliteration and rhyme.
5.
What tone is conveyed?
Gentle and human.
6.
What is the theme reflected here?
Diversity of human experiences.
Extract 11:
“From the South of France the latest story,
The gossip from all the nations.”
1.
Where do some letters come from?
From the South of France.
2.
What do they contain?
Stories and gossip.
3.
What is the poet showing here?
The global reach of communication.
4.
What poetic device is used?
Alliteration in “from France.”
5.
What feeling is conveyed?
Curiosity and interest.
6.
What is the central idea?
Exchange of information across borders.
Extract 12:
“Letters of condolence to Highlands and Lowlands,
Written on paper of every hue.”
1.
What are “letters of condolence”?
Letters expressing sympathy.
2.
What regions are mentioned?
Highlands and Lowlands of Scotland.
3.
What does “every hue” mean?
Different colours.
4.
What is symbolized by the variety of
colours?
Different human emotions.
5.
What tone is created?
Solemn yet universal.
6.
What theme does it highlight?
Shared human sorrow and empathy.
Extract 13:
“Sleepers are sleeping in Glasgow,
Edinburgh, Aberdeen.”
1.
What are people doing in these cities?
They are sleeping.
2.
Which cities are mentioned?
Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen.
3.
What does this line show?
The peacefulness of night in cities.
4.
What is the train doing meanwhile?
It continues its journey.
5.
What contrast is presented?
Human rest vs. mechanical motion.
6.
What poetic device is used?
Repetition and imagery.
Extract 14:
“They will wake soon and hope for letters,
And none will hear the postman’s knock
Without a quickening of the heart.”
1.
What will people hope for?
Letters from loved ones.
2.
Who is the postman?
The person delivering the mail.
3.
What happens when he knocks?
People’s hearts beat faster.
4.
Why do they feel that way?
Because they long to be remembered.
5.
What theme is expressed?
Human need for connection.
6.
What emotion dominates these lines?
Hope and affection.
Extract 15:
“For who can bear to feel himself forgotten?”
1.
What does this question express?
The pain of loneliness and neglect.
2.
What emotion is highlighted?
Human longing for remembrance.
3.
What poetic device is used?
Rhetorical question.
4.
What is the tone of this line?
Emotional and reflective.
5.
What truth does the poet reveal?
That communication keeps love alive.
6.
What is the poem’s final message?
No one can live happily without being remembered.
Q. 4 Tow-Mark Questions
1.
How does W. H. Auden describe the
journey of the Night Mail in the opening stanza?
The poet describes the
Night Mail as a hardworking, punctual train crossing the border from England
into Scotland, carrying letters, postal orders, and cheques for both the rich
and the poor, symbolizing unity and national connection through communication.
2.
What difficulties does the Night Mail
face while climbing Beattock Summit?
The Night Mail faces a
steep uphill gradient at Beattock Summit in southern Scotland, which makes her
climb difficult, but she overcomes the resistance with determination and
continues to run on time, reflecting the strength, discipline, and reliability
of the postal service.
3.
How does the poet use personification
for the train in the poem?
Auden personifies the
train as “she,” attributing to it human qualities like determination,
reliability, and energy. The train is depicted as a living being that works
tirelessly through night and terrain to deliver letters and unite people
emotionally across the nation.
4.
What natural scenery does the train
pass through on its way?
The train travels through
wild moorlands covered with cotton-grass and boulders, with wind-bent grasses
and silent countryside. Auden paints a vivid picture of nature’s stillness
disturbed only by the train’s powerful motion and clouds of white steam rising
behind her.
5.
How do the birds and animals react to
the passing train?
When the train
approaches, birds turn their heads curiously and stare from bushes at its
blank-faced coaches, while sheepdogs remain asleep with paws crossed, showing
nature’s calm acceptance and the train’s unstoppable progress through the
silent countryside.
6.
What happens at the farmhouse as the
train passes by?
As the train passes the
farmhouse, everyone remains asleep, and only a jug in the bedroom gently shakes
from the vibration of the wheels. This image shows the immense yet gentle power
of the train as it moves without disturbing human peace.
7.
How does the imagery of dawn change
the mood of the poem?
When dawn freshens and
the climb is done, the train descends toward Glasgow, bringing a new tone of
relief and renewal. The brightening light contrasts with the night’s struggle,
symbolizing hope, progress, and the approach of human activity.
8.
How is industrial Scotland depicted
in the poem?
Auden describes Scotland
as filled with steam-tugs, cranes, furnaces, and machinery standing like
gigantic chessmen on the dark plains. This imagery shows Scotland’s industrial
strength and readiness to receive the mail that connects its people and
industries.
9.
What emotions do people in Scotland
feel while waiting for the train?
People in glens and near
lochs wait eagerly for letters bringing news, joy, or comfort. Their
anticipation reflects human hope, dependence on communication, and emotional
connection maintained through the arrival of the Night Mail.
10.
What variety of letters does the
Night Mail carry?
The Night Mail carries
every type of letter—thank-you notes, bank letters, invitations, job
applications, love declarations, gossip, and financial news—showing the vast
range of human relationships, needs, and emotions linked through the postal
network.
11.
How does the poet portray human
diversity through the mail?
Auden shows human
diversity in the letters—some are cheerful, others sorrowful, some formal,
others emotional, written on pink, blue, or white paper. They represent the
complexity of human feelings and communication across social and emotional
boundaries.
12.
What does the line “Letters with
faces scrawled on the margin” suggest?
It suggests personal,
emotional touches added by the senders, such as doodles or drawings, showing
affection and individuality. These small details make the letters more intimate
and human, contrasting with impersonal printed communication.
13.
What contrast does Auden draw between
the sleeping cities and the moving train?
While the people of
Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Aberdeen sleep peacefully, the train moves tirelessly
through the night. This contrast highlights the dedication of the postal system
and symbolizes continuous effort while the world rests.
14.
Why does the postman’s knock cause
excitement in people?
When the postman knocks,
every heart quickens with hope, as people long for news or affection from loved
ones. It reflects the deep emotional importance of communication and the
universal human desire to be remembered.
15.
Explain the significance of the line
“For who can bear to feel himself forgotten?”
This line expresses the
poem’s emotional core—the universal fear of being ignored or unloved. Auden
concludes that communication through letters keeps human affection, hope, and
social connection alive, making people feel remembered and valued.
Q. 5 Three Mark Questions
1.
How does W. H. Auden present the
Night Mail as a symbol of unity and communication?
Auden presents the Night
Mail as a great uniting force that connects people of all classes across
England and Scotland. It carries letters for the rich and the poor, for
shopkeepers and ordinary citizens alike. The train symbolizes efficiency,
dedication, and emotional connection, as it brings news, love, hope, and
comfort to countless people. Through it, the poet celebrates human
communication that binds a nation together emotionally and socially.
2.
Describe the imagery used by Auden to
portray the train’s journey through nature.
Auden uses vivid imagery
to depict the Night Mail moving through moorlands, cotton-grass, and wind-bent
fields. The white steam trailing “over her shoulder” creates a picture of
dynamic movement. Birds turn their heads and bushes stir as she passes, contrasting
her mechanical energy with nature’s silence. This imagery brings the landscape
alive, showing both beauty and power. The poet’s skill lies in blending
industrial energy with natural tranquility in a harmonious scene.
3.
Explain how personification enhances
the description of the train.
The poet personifies the
train as “she,” giving it human qualities of determination, strength, and
punctuality. This humanized portrayal helps readers emotionally connect with
the machine. By treating the train as a tireless worker facing challenges yet staying
on time, Auden makes her a living symbol of commitment and service. The train
thus becomes a heroic figure that unites distant places and hearts, emphasizing
reliability and the triumph of human progress over obstacles.
4.
What is the significance of the
Beattock climb in the poem?
The Beattock climb
represents struggle and endurance. As the train moves uphill against the
gradient but still remains on time, it mirrors human perseverance in the face
of challenges. This section celebrates discipline, willpower, and
reliability—qualities essential to both machines and humans. The Beattock climb
also introduces rhythm and tension to the poem, reflecting the physical and
metaphorical journey from hardship to achievement, ending with the triumphant
descent toward Glasgow.
5.
How does Auden contrast the stillness
of nature with the energy of the train?
Auden beautifully
contrasts the quiet countryside with the noisy, energetic train. The wind-bent
grasses, sleeping dogs, and resting farmers reflect calmness, while the train
snorts, hisses, and rumbles with power. This contrast highlights human technology’s
intrusion into peaceful nature, yet it’s not destructive—it’s purposeful and
rhythmic. Through this juxtaposition, the poet shows harmony between human
effort and the natural world, emphasizing progress balanced with peace.
6.
Discuss the role of dawn in the poem
and how it changes the mood.
Ans. Dawn in the poem
marks the transition from effort to fulfillment. After the train completes its
climb, “dawn freshens” and it descends toward Glasgow, symbolizing renewal and
success after struggle. The light brings warmth, hope, and relief, contrasting the
dark, tense night journey. It also signals awakening—not only of the land and
cities—but of communication, life, and connection, as people prepare to receive
their awaited letters. The mood becomes optimistic and bright.
7.
How does the poet depict Scotland and
its people in the poem?
Ans. Auden portrays
Scotland as a land full of natural beauty—glens, lochs, and hills—alongside
industrial power with furnaces and cranes. He shows the Scots as hopeful and
emotionally rich, waiting for news from distant loved ones. All Scotland, from
its cities to remote valleys, eagerly awaits the train’s arrival. Through this,
Auden emphasizes unity and the emotional bonds linking rural and urban life,
showing how communication keeps human warmth alive in every corner.
8.
What kinds of letters does the Night
Mail carry, and what do they represent?
Ans. The Night Mail
carries all types of letters—joyful, sorrowful, business, personal, official,
and intimate. There are bank notices, love letters, invitations, condolences,
and gossip. These letters represent the full range of human emotions and
relationships. They are symbols of hope, connection, and communication that
unite individuals and families. Through this diversity, Auden shows how written
correspondence sustains society’s emotional fabric and reflects the rhythm of
human life.
9.
How does Auden connect the mechanical
and emotional worlds in the poem?
Ans. Auden skillfully
blends mechanical rhythm with human feeling. The train’s steady movement
mirrors a heartbeat, symbolizing the lifeblood of human connection. Its journey
through silent landscapes reflects both progress and compassion. Though a
machine, the Night Mail carries people’s deepest emotions—love, hope, sorrow,
and memory. By uniting mechanical motion with emotional significance, Auden
celebrates technology as a servant of humanity, transforming cold machinery
into a symbol of warmth and connection.
10.
Explain the meaning and significance
of the final line, “For who can bear to feel himself forgotten?”
Ans. This line captures
the emotional essence of the poem. It expresses the universal human need to be
remembered, loved, and connected. The poet suggests that communication through
letters preserves relationships and emotional bonds. No one can endure isolation
or neglect; receiving mail reassures people that they matter. This concluding
thought transforms the Night Mail from a mere train into a symbol of enduring
human affection and shared hope.
6. Poetic Devices
STANZA 1
Lines:
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.
Poetic DevicesS
1.
Alliteration
– Bringing the cheque, postal order, letters for the rich,
letters for the poor – repetition of consonant sounds creates rhythm.
2.
Anaphora
– repetition of “letters for…” emphasizes equality of recipients.
3.
Personification
– the night mail acts like a living being with purpose and energy.
4.
Rhyme
– Border/order, poor/door (rhyming couplets create musical
movement).
5.
Imagery
– visual and social imagery showing inclusiveness of all classes.
STANZA 2
Lines:
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.
Poetic Devices:
1.
Personification
– the train is given human and animal qualities (her shoulder, snorting
noisily).
2.
Onomatopoeia
– snorting imitates the sound of the engine.
3.
Contrast
– snorting noisily / silent miles highlights sound vs. stillness.
4.
Imagery
– strong visual (moorland, cotton-grass) and auditory images.
5.
Rhyme
– climb/time, boulder/shoulder, passes/grasses adds flow
and speed.
STANZA 3
Lines:
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.
Poetic Devices:
1.
Personification
– birds stare, jug shakes; gives life to surroundings.
2.
Imagery
– sight (birds turning), motion (jug shaking).
3.
Rhyme
– approaches/coaches, course/across, wakes/shakes (smooth
rhythm).
4.
Alliteration
– blank-faced coaches, paws across.
5.
Symbolism
– jug shaking symbolizes the subtle but real impact of progress.
STANZA 4
Lines:
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.
Poetic Devices:
1.
Personification
– Dawn freshens, she descends (train as a woman).
2.
Simile
– like gigantic chessmen (industrial imagery).
3.
Alliteration
– freshens... her, fields... furnaces.
4.
Imagery
– visual (steam tugs, cranes, furnaces).
5.
Symbolism –
Scotland’s industry and order (chessmen = controlled power).
STANZA 5
Lines:
All Scotland waits for her:
In dark glens, beside pale-green lochs,
Men long for news.
Poetic Devices:
1.
Personification
– Scotland waits; men’s longing shows emotional connection.
2.
Imagery
– dark glens, pale-green lochs evoke landscape and mood.
3.
Contrast
– darkness vs. pale light suggests dawn and hope.
4.
Enjambment
– lines flow without pause, mirroring the train’s movement.
STANZA 6 (LONG LIST OF
LETTERS)
Lines:
Letters of thanks, letters from banks,
Letters of joy from girl and boy,
Receipted bills and invitations...
...The typed and the printed and the spelt all wrong.
Poetic Devices:
1.
Repetition & Parallelism
– repeated “letters of…” builds rhythm and inclusivity.
2.
Alliteration
– girl and boy, pink, the violet, the white and the blue.
3.
Internal rhyme
– catty / chatty, boring / adoring.
4.
Contrast
– cold and official / heart’s outpouring juxtaposes emotions.
5.
Catalogue / Enumeration
– list form mirrors abundance and variety of human life.
6.
Rhythm & Musicality
– meter imitates the rolling motion of a train.
STANZA 7 (CLOSING)
Lines:
Thousands are still asleep,
Dreaming of terrifying monsters...
...For who can bear to feel himself forgotten?
Poetic Devices:
1.
Imagery
– vivid dream scenes and awakening cities.
2.
Repetition
– asleep... asleep... asleep reinforces drowsy stillness.
3.
Alliteration
– friendly tea beside the band in Cranston’s or Crawford’s.
4.
Personification
– none will hear the postman’s knock / Without a quickening of the heart
(letters bring emotional life).
5.
Rhetorical question
– Who can bear to feel himself forgotten? evokes empathy and universal
human need for connection.
6.
Contrast
– sleep vs. awakening symbolizes ignorance vs. awareness, isolation vs.
communication.
COURTESY: Meta AI & ChatGPT
Compiled by Dr. Shankar D Mishra
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