Poem Analysis - As I Walked Out One Evening

Overview: Love's Illusion Versus Time's Reality

W.H. Auden's "As I Walked Out One Evening" is a poignant exploration of the conflict between youthful idealism, particularly in the realm of romantic love, and the harsh realities of time and mortality. The poem begins with a seemingly idyllic scene, full of romantic pronouncements of eternal love. However, this initial optimism is quickly shattered by the cynical and sobering pronouncements of the city's clocks, which represent the relentless march of time. The poem's tone shifts dramatically from hopeful and passionate to bleak and resigned as it progresses, ultimately leaving the reader with a sense of melancholy acceptance. It is a reminder that the grand pronouncements of youth often fall short in the face of life's inevitable challenges.

Eternal Love's Fragility

One of the central themes is the fragility of romantic love when confronted with the passage of time. The young lover's pronouncements, such as loving "till China and Africa meet" and until "the ocean is folded and hung up to dry," are hyperbolic and almost childishly naive. These grand gestures highlight the speaker's (and likely many young lover's) belief in the boundless power of love. However, the poem quickly undermines this notion, showing how such ideals can be eroded by the unrelenting force of time. The clocks serve as a brutal counterpoint, emphasizing that love, despite its perceived strength, is ultimately subject to the decay and change inherent in the human condition. The lover's declarations are presented as unrealistic ideals rather than tangible realities.

Time: The Unconquerable Force

The theme of time as an unconquerable and destructive force is vividly presented. The clocks in the city personify time, giving it a voice and agency. They warn against the deception of time, emphasizing that it cannot be defeated. Imagery associated with time is harsh and unsettling: "burrows of the Nightmare," "headaches and in worry," "appalling snow," and "glacier knocks in the cupboard." These images evoke a sense of decay, suffering, and the eventual triumph of death. Time is portrayed as a relentless observer, always present and waiting to undermine human happiness and endeavors. The clocks speak with an authoritative tone, suggesting that their pronouncements are undeniable truths.

The Illusion of Permanence

The poem uses symbolism and imagery to highlight the illusion of permanence in a world defined by change. The "brimming river," initially presented as a symbol of vitality and continuity, eventually underscores the ceaseless flow of time. The lover claims to hold "The Flower of the Ages," a symbol of beauty and timelessness, yet the clocks immediately challenge this notion, revealing that such beauty is fleeting and subject to the ravages of time. The bizarre imagery in the clocks' pronouncements, such as "the beggars raffle the banknotes" and "the crack in the tea-cup opens a lane to the land of the dead," creates a surreal and unsettling atmosphere, suggesting the absurdity and impermanence of human existence. These distorted images present a warped reflection of reality. They remind us that the world we perceive as stable and orderly is ultimately fragile and subject to disintegration.

A Bitter Acceptance

Ultimately, "As I Walked Out One Evening" is a meditation on the limitations of human experience and the inevitability of mortality. The poem moves from the passionate declarations of the lover to the stark pronouncements of the clocks, culminating in a somber acceptance of the human condition. The final stanza, urging the listener to "love your crooked neighbour with your crooked heart," suggests a kind of resigned compassion. It is a recognition that despite the disappointments and betrayals of time, life remains a blessing, albeit an imperfect one. The poem suggests a shift from romantic idealism to a more mature and realistic understanding of love and human connection, acknowledging both their potential and their inherent limitations.