The Night Mail
“The Night Mail” vividly portrays the journey of a mail train across the Scottish landscape, delivering a diverse array of letters highlighting the vital role of communication among humans. Answer the following MCQs and questions & answers from the poem.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. What is the primary subject of the poem?
2. What does the night mail bring?
3. How does the train's passage affect the natural world?
4. What is the train's destination?
5. What kind of letters does the train carry?
6. What emotions are associated with the arrival of the mail?
7. What literary device is used in the line 'the steam tugs yelping down a glade of cranes'?
8. What is the overall tone of the poem?
Reference to Context Questions
But shall wake soon and hope for letters,
And none will hear the postman's knock
Without a quickening of the heart,
For who can bear to feel himself forgotten?
Question: What is the significance of the final line: 'For who can bear to feel himself forgotten?'
Answer: The final line of the poem 'The Night Mail' encapsulates its central theme, that of human connection and the deep-seated need for belonging. It underscores the universal fear of being overlooked or forgotten, highlighting how receiving mail, even with its mundane or unpleasant contents, serves as a tangible reminder that someone is thinking of us.
Question: What feeling do people experience when they hear the postman's knock, according to the poem?
Answer: According to the poem, people experience a 'quickening of the heart' when they hear the postman's knock, suggesting a feeling of excitement and anticipation.
This is the night mail crossing the Border,
Bringing the cheque and the postal order,
Question: What is the night mail carrying in the poem?
Answer: The night mail is carrying various forms of correspondence like cheques, postal orders, and letters, and is traversing across borders.
Question: How does the poet personify the train in the poem? Provide examples.
Answer: The poet personifies the train by attributing human-like qualities and actions to it. For instance, the train is described as 'shovelling white steam over her shoulder' and 'snorting noisily,' creating an image of a hardworking, determined entity. Additionally, the phrase 'The gradient's against her, but she's on time' suggests the train's resilience and commitment to its task, further enhancing its personified nature.