Literary Analysis of Funeral Blues by W. H. Auden

W. H. Auden’s poem Funeral Blues, also called Stop All the Clocks, is a powerful piece about love and loss. It was first written in 1936 and finalized in 1938. The poem became famous after it was used in the 1994 movie Four Weddings and a Funeral. This poem speaks to many readers because it shows the deep pain of losing someone important. Let’s look at what makes this poem so moving and why it has stayed popular for so long.

What Is the Literary Canon?

The term "literary canon" means a group of books, poems, or stories that are seen as important or representative of a certain time or culture. W. H. Auden is part of this canon because his poems, like Funeral Blues, connect with universal human feelings. His work also reflects the time he lived in, addressing social, political, and personal issues. This makes him one of the key figures in modern literature.

The Structure of Funeral Blues

The poem has four stanzas, each building on the sense of sadness and loss. Here’s what each part focuses on:

• Stanza 1: The speaker asks for silence and peace to honor the dead. They want the world to stop for a moment.
• Stanza 2: The speaker asks for public mourning, like writing "He Is Dead" in the sky, to show the world how important the loss is.
• Stanza 3: The speaker shares how much the deceased meant to them, calling them their "North, South, East, and West."
• Stanza 4: The speaker expresses complete despair, saying that nothing matters anymore without their loved one.

Main Themes in the Poem

Grief and Silence

The speaker starts by asking to "stop all the clocks" and "cut off the telephone." This shows how grief can make someone want the world to pause. They feel the need for quiet and respect during their time of loss.

Public Mourning

In the second stanza, the speaker wants everyone to know about their loss. They imagine airplanes writing "He Is Dead" in the sky and tying black ribbons on doves. This shows how overwhelming grief can feel—it’s not just personal, but something they want the whole world to share.

Love and Dependence

The third stanza reveals how deeply the speaker depended on their loved one. Lines like "He was my North, my South, my East and West" show that this person was their entire world. The final words, "I was wrong," emphasize the heartbreak of realizing that this relationship, which felt eternal, is now gone.

Despair and Emptiness

The last stanza rejects the beauty of the natural world. The speaker says to "pack up the moon and dismantle the sun," showing that nothing has value without their loved one. This complete despair highlights the depth of their grief.

A Personal and Historical Context

Some readers think Funeral Blues reflects Auden’s experiences as a gay man, writing about the loss of a male lover. At the time, homosexuality was not widely accepted, which could add another layer of sadness to the poem. This personal connection makes the poem even more powerful, as it speaks not only to loss but also to love that might not have been fully acknowledged during its time.

Why Funeral Blues Matters

Originally, Auden wrote the poem as a parody or satire, but over time, it transformed into a deeply emotional piece. As literary scholar Rick Rylance noted, “The poem taken so sincerely to the hearts of many people was, in origin, a piss-take.” Despite its origins, the poem has touched many readers because it captures universal emotions. It shows how literature can evolve and take on new meanings as audiences connect with it in different ways.

Memorable Lines from the Poem

Here are some key lines from the poem and why they stand out:

• "Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone": Shows the need for silence and respect during mourning.
• "He was my North, my South, my East and West": Highlights how important the deceased was to the speaker’s life.
• "Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun": Expresses complete despair and the loss of meaning in life.

Conclusion

W. H. Auden’s Funeral Blues remains a timeless poem because it speaks to the universal experience of grief. Through its simple yet powerful language, it captures the pain of losing someone and the emptiness that follows. The poem continues to resonate with readers today, showing how great literature can connect deeply with human emotions and stand the test of time.

References

1. Auden, W. H. (1938). The Year's Poetry. London: Faber & Faber.
2. Rylance, R. (2016). Literature and the Public Good. Oxford University Press.
3. Smith, S. (1994). Four Weddings and a Funeral. Film. Directed by Mike Newell. United Kingdom: PolyGram Filmed Entertainment.
4. Spender, S. (1985). Auden: A Biography. London: Faber & Faber.