Poem Analysis - Aubade

A Dawn of Dread: Introduction to Larkin's "Aubade"

Philip Larkin's "Aubade" is a chilling meditation on death, delivered with stark honesty and a pervading sense of dread. The poem begins in the dead of night, a moment of vulnerable clarity, and unfolds into an unflinching examination of mortality's inescapable grip. Larkin's characteristic pessimism is on full display, creating a tone of somber reflection, bordering on despair. The mood shifts slightly as the poem progresses, moving from raw fear to a resigned acceptance of the inevitable, underscored by the mundane realities of the world waking up.

Facing the Void: Mortality as the Central Theme

The central theme of "Aubade" is undoubtedly mortality. Larkin doesn't shy away from the terror it evokes. The lines "Unresting death, a whole day nearer now, / Making all thought impossible but how / And where and when I shall myself die" clearly express the speaker's obsession with his impending end. The poem explores not just the physical act of dying, but the horrifying prospect of "total emptiness for ever," a complete and utter annihilation of consciousness. The starkness of this vision is emphasized by the repetition of "Not to be here, / Not to be anywhere," stripping away any comforting illusions about an afterlife or continued existence.

The Illusion of Comfort: Religion and Reason's Failure

Another significant theme is the failure of traditional comfort mechanisms, particularly religion, to alleviate the fear of death. Larkin dismisses religion as a "vast, moth-eaten musical brocade / Created to pretend we never die," highlighting its inadequacy in the face of existential dread. He also criticizes rational arguments that claim we cannot fear what we won't feel, arguing that "this is what we fear - no sight, no sound." This theme emphasizes the poem's bleak outlook, suggesting that neither faith nor reason can offer solace from the primal fear of non-existence.

Isolation in the Face of the Inevitable: A Lonely Truth

Isolation emerges as a poignant theme, intertwined with the confrontation of death. The speaker is alone with his thoughts in the "soundless dark," grappling with anxieties that are universal yet intensely personal. The line "In furnace-fear when we are caught without / People or drink" suggests that human connection and distraction can temporarily mask the fear of death, but ultimately, the individual is left to face it alone. Even courage, the poem suggests, is merely a social performance: "Courage is no good: / It means not scaring others. Being brave / Lets no one off the grave."

Symbols of Dread: Dark, Light and the Uncaring World

The poem is rich in symbolic imagery. Darkness, present at the beginning, represents the unknown and the speaker's initial terror. As "light strengthens," it doesn't bring comfort or hope, but rather a clearer, more defined view of the bleak reality: "It stands plain as a wardrobe, what we know, / Have always known, know that we can't escape." The "uncaring / Intricate rented world" waking up outside serves as a stark contrast to the speaker's internal struggle. The image of "postmen like doctors go from house to house" subtly links the inevitability of death with the mundane routine of daily life. The sky being "white as clay, with no sun" suggests an absence of warmth, life, and divine presence. Is the world uncaring, or is Larkin simply seeing it through a lens of despair?

A Final Dawn: Resignation and the Inescapable Truth

In conclusion, "Aubade" is a powerful exploration of the fear of death and the inadequacy of traditional comforts in the face of existential dread. Through vivid imagery, unflinching honesty, and a tone of somber reflection, Larkin creates a haunting portrayal of the human condition. The poem ultimately suggests that while we may try to distract ourselves from the reality of death, it remains an inescapable truth, a constant presence lurking just beneath the surface of our conscious awareness. The poem's power lies in its willingness to confront this uncomfortable truth head-on, offering no easy answers or comforting illusions, leaving the reader to contemplate their own mortality in the face of the void.