Funeral Blues

Line-by-Line Analysis
1. “Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,”

o The opening lines immediately convey a sense of urgency and profound
sorrow. The speaker calls for an interruption of everyday life, suggesting that
their grief is so intense that normal activities should cease.
2. “Prevent the dog from barking with a silent key,”
o This line continues the theme of silencing the world around them. The “silent
key” could symbolize a means to control noise and distraction, indicating that
even the smallest sounds are unbearable in the face of grief.
3. “Silence the pianos and with muffled drum,”
o The imagery of muted music evokes a somber atmosphere. The “muffled
drum” signifies mourning, suggesting that traditional expressions of joy (like
music) are now inappropriate.
4. “Bring out the coffin, let the aeroplanes circle moaning overhead”
o The speaker envisions a public display of mourning. The reference to
aeroplanes implies that the death is significant enough to warrant recognition
from above, amplifying the sense of loss and sorrow.
5. “Scribbling on the sky the message He is Dead.”
o Writing in the sky symbolizes a monumental declaration of the speaker's grief.
This hyperbolic imagery emphasizes the speaker’s desire for the world to
acknowledge their loss, marking it as an event of great importance.
6. “Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves,”
o The “crepe bows” symbolize mourning, and adorning doves with them
suggests that even symbols of peace and hope are now tainted by sorrow. It
reflects the pervasive nature of grief in the world.
7. “Let the traffic policemen wear black gloves,”
o This line extends the theme of mourning to everyday life, indicating that grief
should permeate all aspects of society. The image of policemen in black
gloves suggests that authority and order are also affected by personal loss.
8. “He was my North, South, East and West,”
o Here, the speaker expresses the totality of their emotional dependence on the
deceased. The use of cardinal directions signifies that the deceased was their
entire world, guiding and defining their existence.
9. “My working week and my Sunday rest,”
o This line underscores the idea that the deceased encompassed every moment
of the speaker's life, from work to leisure. It highlights the depth of their bond
and the void left by the loss.
10. “My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;”
o The speaker’s life is entirely intertwined with the deceased; every time of day
and every form of expression is linked to them. This further emphasizes the
depth of the emotional connection.
11. “I thought that love would last forever: I was wrong.”
o This poignant realization introduces a bitter note of disillusionment. The
speaker's expectation of love's permanence is shattered, underscoring the
profound impact of loss.
12. “The stars are not wanted now; put out every one,”
o This line conveys a sense of hopelessness and despair. The speaker believes
that the beauty of the stars is irrelevant in the face of their grief, suggesting
that joy and wonder have lost their meaning.
13. “Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun;”
o Here, the speaker wishes to eliminate symbols of beauty and light. This
hyperbolic request reflects an intense desire to remove all sources of
happiness, as they are reminders of what has been lost.
14. “Pour away the sky and sweep up the wood;”
o This imagery suggests a need to clear away the world that no longer feels
meaningful. The act of “sweeping” implies a desire to tidy up the emotional
chaos brought by grief.
15. “For nothing now can ever come to any good.”
o The poem concludes with a stark statement of hopelessness. The speaker feels
that the future is bleak, and nothing can bring joy or meaning after such a
profound loss.
Summary
"Funeral Blues" is a poignant elegy that explores the depths of grief and despair following
the loss of a loved one. The speaker's profound sorrow is conveyed through vivid imagery
and a series of commands that call for the world to acknowledge and share in their mourning.
The poem captures the overwhelming nature of loss, illustrating how it permeates every
aspect of life and renders the world meaningless without the deceased.
Themes
1. Grief and Loss: The poem powerfully expresses the deep sorrow that accompanies
the death of a loved one, illustrating the profound impact of loss on one’s life.
2. Disillusionment: The speaker grapples with the harsh reality of mortality, revealing
feelings of betrayal regarding the permanence of love and life.
3. Isolation: The speaker’s desire for the world to reflect their grief highlights a sense of
isolation; they feel alone in their sorrow.
4. The Meaning of Life: The poem questions the significance of existence in the
absence of a loved one, suggesting that life loses its value without meaningful
connections.
Diction
• The diction in the poem is somber and evocative. Words and phrases like “stop,”
“silence,” “coffin,” and “dark” contribute to a heavy atmosphere of mourning. The
use of imperatives reflects the speaker’s urgency and desperation in seeking
acknowledgment of their grief.
Tone
• The tone of the poem is mournful and despairing. It shifts from a call to silence and
reflection to a profound sense of hopelessness, illustrating the speaker's journey
through grief.
Structure
• The poem consists of 14 lines written in quatrains, with a consistent rhythm and
rhyme scheme (ABAB). This structured form contrasts with the chaotic emotions
expressed, highlighting the intensity of the speaker's feelings. The regularity of the
structure provides a sense of order in the midst of overwhelming grief.
Mood
• The mood is overwhelmingly melancholic. The speaker's deep sorrow permeates the
poem, creating a heavy atmosphere that evokes sympathy and compassion from the
reader. The desire for the world to reflect this sorrow amplifies the mood of despair.
Figures of Speech
1. Apostrophe:
o The speaker addresses the world and various symbols (like clocks and pianos)
directly, emphasizing the need for external acknowledgment of their grief.
2. Metaphor:
o The entire poem can be seen as a metaphor for the speaker's emotional
landscape, with everyday objects and events representing the weight of loss.
3. Hyperbole:
o Lines like “Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun” illustrate extreme
emotional states, emphasizing the speaker’s overwhelming despair and desire
for a world devoid of joy.
4. Imagery:
o The poem is rich with visual imagery that evokes a sense of mourning and
silence, painting a vivid picture of the speaker’s internal struggle.
5. Symbolism:
o Objects like clocks, pianos, and doves symbolize life, joy, and peace, all of
which are rendered meaningless in the wake of grief.
Conclusion
"Funeral Blues" serves as a powerful meditation on the nature of grief and the profound
impact of losing a loved one. Through its evocative language, vivid imagery, and emotional
depth, Auden’s poem captures the complexities of mourning, illustrating how it can envelop
an individual's life and reshape their understanding of existence. If you need further
exploration of specific aspects or additional context, feel free to ask!

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Line-by-Line Analysis

1. “Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,”

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