Poem Analysis - The Mower

A Stark Encounter with Mortality

Philip Larkin's "The Mower" is a concise and poignant meditation on death and its implications for the living. The poem begins with a matter-of-fact recounting of a mundane event turned tragic: the accidental killing of a hedgehog. The tone is initially subdued, almost detached, but gradually shifts toward a more reflective and morally weighted consideration of human responsibility and the fleeting nature of life. The poem's brevity underscores the suddenness of death and the enduring impact even small acts can have.

The Ephemeral Nature of Existence

One of the central themes of "The Mower" is the fragility of life and the inevitability of death. This theme is most directly expressed through the image of the hedgehog, a creature previously observed and even fed, now rendered lifeless by the mower. The lines "Now I had mauled its unobtrusive world / Unmendably" highlight the permanent and irreversible nature of death. The phrase "unobtrusive world" suggests the vulnerability of the natural world and the ease with which it can be disrupted by human actions. This abrupt loss serves as a stark reminder of the ephemeral nature of existence, not just for the hedgehog but implicitly for all living beings.

Responsibility and Remorse

The poem also explores the theme of human responsibility and the potential for unintentional harm. The speaker's acknowledgement of having "mauled" the hedgehog's world implies a sense of guilt and remorse. While the killing was accidental, the speaker recognizes the destructive impact of his actions. The futility of "Burial was no help" underscores the permanence of death and the speaker's inability to undo what has been done. This acknowledgment of unintended consequences prompts the speaker to consider the broader implications of his actions and the need for greater care and kindness.

Kindness as an Antidote to Mortality

Ultimately, "The Mower" advocates for empathy and kindness as a response to the awareness of mortality. The lines "we should be careful / Of each other, we should be kind / While there is still time" serve as the poem's central message. This plea for kindness suggests that recognizing the fragility of life should inspire us to treat others with compassion and understanding. The phrase "while there is still time" emphasizes the urgency of this message, reminding us that opportunities for kindness are limited and should not be wasted. The mower that was used without concern becomes symbolic of the casual and unintentional damage that we can inflict.

A Moral Imperative in the Face of Loss

In conclusion, "The Mower" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that uses a simple incident to explore profound themes of mortality, responsibility, and kindness. Through the image of the dead hedgehog, Larkin invites us to contemplate the fragility of life and the importance of treating each other with care and compassion. The poem's enduring significance lies in its ability to remind us of our shared vulnerability and the moral imperative to act with kindness in a world where death is an ever-present reality. The poem transforms a commonplace occurrence into a poignant lesson, leaving the reader with a renewed awareness of the value of life and the importance of human connection.