Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone

This poem evokes strong emotions from start to finish. The first stanza seems to have a sense of denial,

“Stop all the clocks, Cut off the telephone”


These first few lines give the impression that the writer doesn’t want to accept the truth, by stopping time and shutting people out he may be able to preserve the delusion that nothing has happened for a little longer. Denial is also the first of five stages of grieving using the Kübler-Ross model, perhaps Auden is simply going through the motions of grieving, taking it one stage at a time. The second stanza contains the line,

“Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead”


“Moaning” is a very onomatopoeic word from this you can almost visualize the type of aeroplane he meant and the “moaning” noise it would be making. The sound of the words could also be linked with the mourners in the church, the sadness and lamenting.


The third stanza is almost where he permits himself to remember his love. Like light at the end of a tunnel; a truly loving sentiment in such a somber poem.
As Auden moves onto the final stanza the atmosphere of the poem moves too. The poem slips into depression or even anger. Almost as a child throws a toy with frustration Auden orders for the night sky and the oceans etc. should be put away or discarded. And as we know from the Kübler-Ross model, Anger is the second stage of the grieving process. Perhaps if Auden had extended this poem he may have progressed through the last three stages, but as the success of the poem proves; it doesn’t need extending