“A Lullaby” by W. H. Auden: A Critical Analysis

Introduction: “A Lullaby” by W. H. Auden

“A Lullaby” by W. H. Auden was first published in 1937 in the literary magazine New Writing, later included in his 1940 collection Another Time. The poem is notable for its tender and intimate tone, addressing a lover with soothing words and imagery. It explores themes of love, mortality, and the fleeting nature of beauty, all while employing a unique structure and rhythm that mimics the gentle rocking of a lullaby.

Text: “A Lullaby” by W. H. Auden

The din of work is subdued,
another day has westered
and mantling darkness arrived.
Peace! Peace! Devoid your portrait
of its vexations and rest.
Your daily round is done with,
you’ve gotten the garbage out,
answered some tiresome letters
and paid a bill by return,
all frettolosamente.
Now you have licence to lie,
naked, curled like a shrimplet,
jacent in bed, and enjoy
its cosy micro-climate:
Sing, Big Baby, sing lullay.

The old Greeks got it all wrong:
Narcissus is an oldie,
tamed by time, released at last
from lust for other bodies,
rational and reconciled.
For many years you envied
the hirsute, the he-man type.
No longer: now you fondle
your almost feminine flesh
with mettled satisfaction,
imagining that you are
sinless and all-sufficient,
snug in the den of yourself,
Madonna and Bambino:
Sing, Big Baby, sing lullay.

Let your last thinks all be thanks:
praise your parents who gave you
a Super-Ego of strength
that saves you so much bother,
digit friends and dear them all,
then pay fair attribution
to your age, to having been
born when you were. In boyhood
you were permitted to meet
beautiful old contraptions,
soon to be banished from earth,
saddle-tank loks, beam-engines
and over-shot waterwheels.
Yes, love, you have been lucky:
Sing, Big Baby, sing lullay.

Now for oblivion: let
the belly-mind take over
down below the diaphragm,
the domain of the Mothers,
They who guard the Sacred Gates,
without whose wordless warnings
soon the verbalising I
becomes a vicious despot,
lewd, incapable of love,
disdainful, status-hungry.
Should dreams haunt you, heed them not,
for all, both sweet and horrid,
are jokes in dubious taste,
too jejune to have truck with.
Sleep, Big Baby, sleep your fill.

Annotations: “A Lullaby” by W. H. Auden

Lines	Annotation
The din of work is subdued, another day has westered and mantling darkness arrived.	The noise and activity of the day have calmed down as evening sets in and darkness covers the world.
Peace! Peace! Devoid your portrait of its vexations and rest.	A call for peace, urging to remove worries and find rest.
Your daily round is done with, you’ve gotten the garbage out, answered some tiresome letters and paid a bill by return, all frettolosamente.	The mundane tasks of the day, such as taking out the garbage, answering letters, and paying bills, are completed, albeit done hurriedly.
Now you have licence to lie, naked, curled like a shrimplet, jacent in bed, and enjoy its cosy micro-climate: Sing, Big Baby, sing lullay.	Permission is granted to rest in bed, curled up comfortably, enjoying its warmth and comfort. The term “Big Baby” suggests a tender, soothing address.
The old Greeks got it all wrong: Narcissus is an oldie, tamed by time, released at last from lust for other bodies, rational and reconciled.	Contradicts the Greek myth of Narcissus, suggesting he has aged, become wise, and freed from his obsession with physical beauty.
For many years you envied the hirsute, the he-man type. No longer: now you fondle your almost feminine flesh with mettled satisfaction,	Previously envied more traditionally masculine men, but now content with and appreciative of his own more delicate, almost feminine body.
imagining that you are sinless and all-sufficient, snug in the den of yourself, Madonna and Bambino: Sing, Big Baby, sing lullay.	Feels pure and self-sufficient, comfortable within oneself, comparing himself to both mother and child.
Let your last thinks all be thanks: praise your parents who gave you a Super-Ego of strength that saves you so much bother,	Encourages ending the day with gratitude, thanking parents for instilling a strong conscience (Super-Ego) that helps avoid trouble.
digit friends and dear them all, then pay fair attribution to your age, to having been born when you were. In boyhood	Appreciate and cherish friends, and recognize the value of the era one was born in.
you were permitted to meet beautiful old contraptions, soon to be banished from earth, saddle-tank loks, beam-engines and over-shot waterwheels.	Reflects on the privilege of having experienced old, now obsolete, mechanical wonders from childhood.
Yes, love, you have been lucky: Sing, Big Baby, sing lullay.	Acknowledges the fortune in life’s experiences, repeating the soothing refrain.
Now for oblivion: let the belly-mind take over down below the diaphragm, the domain of the Mothers,	Time for deep, unconscious rest, letting go of conscious thought, entering the primal, nurturing realm.
They who guard the Sacred Gates, without whose wordless warnings soon the verbalising I becomes a vicious despot, lewd, incapable of love, disdainful, status-hungry.	The maternal, subconscious instincts protect from becoming overtaken by ego and negative traits.
Should dreams haunt you, heed them not, for all, both sweet and horrid, are jokes in dubious taste, too jejune to have truck with.	Advises ignoring dreams, whether good or bad, as they are seen as trivial and not to be taken seriously.
Sleep, Big Baby, sleep your fill.	Concludes with a gentle, comforting command to sleep deeply and restfully.

Literary And Poetic Devices: “A Lullaby” by W. H. Auden

Device	Example	Explanation
Alliteration	“cosy micro-climate”	Repetition of the ‘c’ sound emphasizes the comfort of the bed.
Anaphora	“Peace! Peace!”	Repetition of the word “Peace” for emphasis and to create a soothing effect.
Assonance	“let your last thinks all be thanks”	Repetition of the ‘a’ sound in “last,” “thinks,” and “thanks” adds musicality.
Consonance	“answered some tiresome letters”	Repetition of the ‘s’ sound in “answered,” “tiresome,” and “letters.”
Imagery	“naked, curled like a shrimplet”	Vivid image of the speaker lying in bed, enhancing the poem’s sensory appeal.
Metaphor	“mantling darkness arrived”	Darkness is compared to a mantle, suggesting it envelops the world.
Simile	“curled like a shrimplet”	Comparison using “like” to describe the speaker’s curled-up position in bed.
Personification	“another day has westered”	The day is given the human ability to move west.
Irony	“The old Greeks got it all wrong”	Contrary to common belief about Narcissus, suggesting a more complex reality.
Symbolism	“Sacred Gates”	Represents the transition to sleep and the protection of unconsciousness.
Allusion	“Narcissus is an oldie”	Reference to the Greek myth of Narcissus, reinterpreting his story.
Enjambment	“born when you were. In boyhood / you were permitted to meet”	Continuation of a sentence beyond the end of a line, maintaining flow and thought.
Apostrophe	“Sing, Big Baby, sing lullay.”	Directly addressing the self as “Big Baby” in a soothing, nurturing manner.
Hyperbole	“lewd, incapable of love, disdainful, status-hungry”	Exaggeration of negative traits to emphasize the dangers of the unchecked ego.
Juxtaposition	“sinless and all-sufficient, snug in the den of yourself”	Placing opposing ideas of innocence and self-sufficiency together for contrast.
Repetition	“Sing, Big Baby, sing lullay.”	Repeating the refrain to create a lullaby-like rhythm.
Oxymoron	“mettled satisfaction”	Combines conflicting ideas of vigorous strength and calm contentment.
Paradox	“Narcissus is an oldie, tamed by time”	Presents a seemingly contradictory idea that Narcissus could age and change.
Euphony	“cosy micro-climate”	Pleasant combination of sounds to enhance the feeling of comfort.
Caesura	“Sing, Big Baby, sing lullay.”	A pause in the line that adds emphasis to the soothing command.

Themes: “A Lullaby” by W. H. Auden

• Theme 1: The Need for Rest and Relaxation: The poem begins by urging the reader to rest and let go of their daily worries, “Peace! Peace! Devoid your portrait / of its vexations and rest” (lines 3-4). The speaker suggests that the daily round of tasks is done, and it’s time to “lie, / naked, curled like a shrimplet, / jacent in bed, and enjoy / its cosy micro-climate” (lines 7-10). This theme emphasizes the importance of taking a break and recharging.
• Theme 2: Self-Acceptance and Inner Peace: The poem explores the idea of self-acceptance and inner peace, encouraging the reader to embrace their true self, “No longer: now you fondle / your almost feminine flesh / with mettled satisfaction, / imagining that you are / sinless and all-sufficient” (lines 17-21). The speaker suggests that one should be content with their own body and identity, rather than envying others. This theme promotes self-love and acceptance.
• Theme 3: Gratitude and Appreciation: The poem urges the reader to be thankful for their life, family, and experiences, “Let your last thinks all be thanks: / praise your parents who gave you / a Super-Ego of strength / that saves you so much bother” (lines 23-26). The speaker also encourages appreciation for the past, “Yes, love, you have been lucky: / …you were permitted to meet / beautiful old contraptions, / soon to be banished from earth” (lines 31-34). This theme highlights the importance of gratitude and appreciation.
• Theme 4: The Power of the Subconscious: The poem touches on the idea that the subconscious mind is powerful and should be respected, “Now for oblivion: let / the belly-mind take over / down below the diaphragm, / the domain of the Mothers, / They who guard the Sacred Gates” (lines 35-39). The speaker warns against ignoring the subconscious, suggesting that it can lead to negative consequences, “without whose wordless warnings / soon the verbalising I / becomes a vicious despot, / lewd, incapable of love, / disdainful, status-hungry” (lines 40-44). This theme explores the importance of acknowledging and respecting the subconscious mind.

Literary Theories and “A Lullaby” by W. H. Auden

Critical Questions about “A Lullaby” by W. H. Auden

• How does the poem challenge traditional notions of masculinity and gender roles?
• Auden subverts traditional masculinity by presenting a speaker who embraces his “almost feminine flesh” and finds contentment in self-love. The poem rejects the “hirsute, the he-man type” and celebrates a softer, more introspective form of masculinity. The speaker’s identification with the Madonna and Bambino further blurs traditional gender lines, suggesting a fluidity of identity and a rejection of rigid societal expectations.
• What is the significance of the historical and technological references in the poem?
• The poem’s references to “old contraptions,” “saddle-tank loks,” “beam-engines,” and “over-shot waterwheels” evoke a sense of nostalgia for a bygone era of technological innovation. These references might represent the speaker’s yearning for a simpler time, free from the anxieties and complexities of modern life. They could also symbolize the inevitability of change and the passing of time, a theme that resonates throughout the poem.
• How does the poem explore the relationship between the conscious and unconscious mind?
• The poem delves into the depths of the unconscious, with references to the “belly-mind” and the “domain of the Mothers.” The speaker encourages the “Big Baby” to embrace sleep and oblivion, suggesting a surrender to the primal instincts and desires that reside beneath the surface of consciousness. The poem also highlights the dangers of the “verbalizing I,” which can become a “vicious despot” if not tempered by the “wordless warnings” of the unconscious.
• What is the role of religion and spirituality in the poem?
• The poem features religious imagery, such as the Madonna and Bambino, and references to the “Sacred Gates” guarded by the Mothers. However, these allusions are presented in a secular context, suggesting a more personal and idiosyncratic form of spirituality. The speaker’s “last thinks” are not prayers but rather expressions of gratitude for the “Super-Ego of strength” and the “beautiful old contraptions” that have shaped his life. This suggests a humanist approach to spirituality, one that finds meaning and solace in the ordinary experiences of life.

Topics, Questions, and Thesis Statement about “A Lullaby” by W. H. Auden

Topic	Question	Thesis Statement
The Concept of Self-Acceptance	How does Auden’s “A Lullaby” explore the theme of self-acceptance and self-love?	In “A Lullaby,” W. H. Auden explores self-acceptance by illustrating a journey from self-doubt to self-love, using imagery and metaphors to depict a reconciled self.
The Role of Daily Routines in Finding Peace	What is the significance of daily routines in achieving peace and rest according to Auden’s poem?	Auden’s “A Lullaby” emphasizes the importance of completing daily routines as a prelude to achieving a state of peace and rest, highlighting the value of mundane tasks.
Reinterpretation of Greek Mythology	How does Auden reinterpret the myth of Narcissus in “A Lullaby”?	In “A Lullaby,” Auden reinterprets the myth of Narcissus by portraying him as an aged figure who has overcome his vanity, suggesting a path to rationality and reconciliation.
The Intersection of Conscious and Unconscious	How does the poem depict the transition from conscious thought to the unconscious mind?	“A Lullaby” by W. H. Auden depicts the transition from consciousness to unconsciousness as a descent into a nurturing, protective realm, using metaphors and personification to describe this shift.

Literary Works Similar to “A Lullaby” by W. H. Auden

1. “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” by T.S. Eliot: Similar to Auden’s poem, Eliot’s work explores themes of isolation, introspection, and the anxieties of modern life. Both poems feature speakers who grapple with their place in the world and the complexities of human relationships.
2. “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” by Robert Frost: While Frost’s poem is more overtly about nature, it shares Auden’s contemplative tone and focus on mortality. Both poems invite the reader to pause and reflect on the beauty and transience of life.
3. “Ode to a Nightingale” by John Keats: Keats’ poem, like Auden’s, explores the power of imagination and the escape it offers from the harsh realities of life. Both poems celebrate the beauty and solace found in art and nature.
4. “Song” (“Go and catch a falling star”) by John Donne: Donne’s metaphysical poem, like Auden’s, addresses themes of love, time, and the human condition. Both poems employ a conversational tone and explore complex emotions through vivid imagery and metaphors.
5. “Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night” by Dylan Thomas: Thomas’ villanelle, like Auden’s lullaby, confronts the inevitability of death and the importance of embracing life. Both poems urge the reader to resist the darkness and find meaning in the face of mortality.

Suggested Readings: “A Lullaby” by W. H. Auden

Representative Quotations from “A Lullaby” by W. H. Auden

Quotation	Context	Theoretical Perspective
“Peace! Peace! Devoid your portrait of its vexations and rest.”	The opening lines of the poem, urging the reader to let go of their daily worries.	Psychoanalytic theory: The speaker is encouraging the reader to release their repressed emotions and find peace.
“You’ve gotten the garbage out, answered some tiresome letters and paid a bill by return, all frettolosamente.”	The speaker is listing the mundane tasks that the reader has completed.	Marxist theory: The speaker is highlighting the drudgery and alienation of daily life under capitalism.
“Now you have licence to lie, naked, curled like a shrimplet, jacent in bed, and enjoy its cosy micro-climate.”	The speaker is encouraging the reader to indulge in self-care and relaxation.	Feminist theory: The speaker is promoting self-love and acceptance, using imagery that challenges traditional gender norms.
“The old Greeks got it all wrong: Narcissus is an oldie, tamed by time, released at last from lust for other bodies.”	The speaker is reinterpreting the myth of Narcissus, suggesting that self-love is a natural and healthy part of aging.	Queer theory: The speaker is challenging traditional notions of beauty and desire, promoting a more inclusive and accepting understanding of human sexuality.
“Let your last thinks all be thanks: praise your parents who gave you a Super-Ego of strength that saves you so much bother.”	The speaker is urging the reader to be grateful for their upbringing and the strengths they have developed.	Psychological theory: The speaker is highlighting the importance of gratitude and positive thinking in mental health.
“Sleep, Big Baby, sleep your fill.”	The final line of the poem, urging the reader to rest and sleep.	Poststructuralist theory: The speaker is subverting traditional notions of adulthood and maturity, embracing a more playful and childlike approach to life.