Study Guide by Arpita Karwa

Aubade by Philip Larkin

Aubade is written by Philip Larkin and contrary to what the title suggests, the poem focuses
on death.

In the first stanza, the poet begins by telling the readers that he is working throughout the
day after which he becomes half-drunk. The poet then wakes up at night and sits alone
while it’s still dark. He thinks about death and is spellbound. Although death is an old
topic, it replenishes him with new energy even though he has thought about death before.

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The poet clarifies that he is not unhappy. He is not thinking about the good things he
could have done, about the relationships he could have nurtured, about the time he has
junked. The poet finds himself blanked at the thought forever emptiness and not at how
long it could take to correct the bad beginnings of a single life. The speaker hints that he is nearing death.

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The poet says that death lies at the corner of our eyes. Although we aren't completely focused on it, it's still there
causing a blurry vision. Thinking about death causes the poet to rethink every action, thereby hampering his pace. He
says death can't be escaped like other things in life. He burns like fire with this realisation when he is all alone and not
drunk. He says that just by having the courage to face death won't stop it from coming.
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In the final stanza, the morning light fills up the room. However, this doesn't stop the poet from thinking about death
-- which is as obvious as the wardrobe in front of his eyes. Death is everywhere, inescapable. The poet now thinks about
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the living and working world; he thinks about the telephones about to ring. The sun comes out but the poet is still in
dismay. Postmen wake up the world with news from another world.
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