Night mail poem summary

"Night Mail" is a poem by W.H. Auden, written in 1936, to accompany a documentary film of the same name by Basil Wright. The poem is a tribute to the British postal service and the workers who deliver mail across the country at night.

The poem describes the journey of the mail train as it travels from London to Scotland, carrying letters and packages to be delivered to people all over the country. The poem is written in a series of vignettes, each describing a different aspect of the mail train's journey.

The poem begins by describing the train's departure from London, where it is loaded with mail from all over the country. It then describes the train's journey through the night, passing through cities and countryside, and the various people who work on the train, including the driver, the guard, and the postal workers.

Throughout the poem, Auden celebrates the importance of the postal service and the people who work for it. He describes the mail train as a symbol of connection and communication, bringing people together and keeping them in touch with each other.

The poem also touches on the theme of loneliness and isolation, describing the people who work on the train as being "lonely" and "isolated" as they travel through the night. However, Auden suggests that this loneliness is tempered by the sense of purpose and importance that comes from being part of the postal service.

The poem ends with a description of the train's arrival in Scotland, where the mail is unloaded and delivered to the people who need it. The final lines of the poem describe the train's return journey to London, carrying letters and packages back to the people who sent them.

Overall, "Night Mail" is a poem that celebrates the importance of the postal service and the people who work for it. It is a tribute to the hard work and dedication of the postal workers, and a celebration of the role that they play in keeping people connected and in touch with each other.