Autumn Chapter in a Novel by Thom Gunn

 

Autumn Chapter In a Novel by Thom Gunn

Through woods, Mme Une Telle, a trifle ill
With idleness, but no less beautiful,
Walks with the young tutor, round their feet
Mob syllables slurred to a fine complaint,
Which in their time held off the natural heat.

The sun is distant, and they fill out space
Sweatless as watercolour under glass.
He kicks abruptly. But we may suppose
The leaves he scatters thus will settle back
In much the same position as they rose.

A tutor's indignation works on air,
Altering nothing; action bustles where,
Towards the pool by which they lately stood,
The husband comes discussing with his bailiff
Poachers, the broken fences round the wood.

Pighead! The poacher is at large, and lingers,          
A dead mouse gripped between his sensitive fingers          
Fences already keep the live game out:
See how your property twists her parasol,   
Hesitates in the tender trap of doubt.

Here they repair, here daily handle lightly
The brief excitements that disturb them nightly;
Sap draws back inch by inch, and to the ground
The words they uttered rustle constantly:
Silent, they watch the growing, weightless mound.

They leave at last a chosen element,
Resume the motions of their discontent;
She takes her sewing up, and he again
Names to her son the deserts on the globe,
And leaves thrust violently upon the pane.

Glossary

• Mme Une Telle: A French phrase meaning "Madame So-and-So," used here to represent an unnamed or generic upper-class woman.

• Mob syllables: Indistinct hum of nature

• Works on air: Ineffective

• Bailiff: A steward or estate manager responsible for overseeing land and workers.

• Pighead!: An insult meaning stubborn or foolish person.

• Is at large: Means still free or not yet caught.

• Here they repair: “Repair” in this context means to return or go back to a place, not to fix something.

• Sap draws back inch by inch: The natural process during autumn or winter when sap retreats from the outer parts of a plant to its roots. It symbolizes a slow withdrawal of energy, vitality, or emotional openness—suggesting emotional retreat or decay.

• Leave at last: They reluctantly exit this temporary escape or retreat and return to ordinary life.

• A chosen element: preferred or comfortable environment

• Resume the motions of their discontent: They go back to their usual routines, which are marked by dissatisfaction or emotional unrest. 

• She takes her sewing up: The woman returns to a traditional domestic task—sewing. 

• Names to her son the deserts on the globe:
  The man resumes a routine educational or intellectual activity—perhaps naming geographical deserts to the boy. This illustrates a return to order, control, or distance, rather than emotional engagement.

• Leaves thrust violently upon the pane: A vivid image of windblown leaves hitting the window. 

Stanza 1

Through woods, Mme Une Telle, a trifle ill
With idleness, but no less beautiful,
Walks with the young tutor, round their feet
Mob syllables slurred to a fine complaint,
Which in their time held off the natural heat.

In this stanza from the Autumn Chapter of the novel, the scene unfolds in a quiet, reflective mood as Mme Une Telle—a refined, somewhat symbolic figure of upper-class femininity—walks through the woods with a young tutor. She is described as “a trifle ill with idleness,” suggesting not a physical sickness but a kind of emotional or existential languor brought on by too much leisure and too little purpose. Despite this, her beauty remains undiminished. The presence of the young tutor introduces the possibility of subtle emotional or intellectual connection, perhaps even unspoken romantic tension. Around their feet, the natural world murmurs softly—“mob syllables slurred to a fine complaint”—a poetic way of describing the indistinct hum of nature, like rustling leaves or buzzing insects. This soft, almost melancholic background sound evokes a gentle complaint or whisper, reinforcing the subdued and contemplative tone of the scene. The final line—“which in their time held off the natural heat”—adds a layer of emotional complexity. It suggests that in the past, such moments or atmospheres had the power to restrain passion or delay the intensity of feeling (symbolized by “natural heat”). Altogether, the stanza paints a portrait of quiet tension, where beauty, boredom, and nature blend to reflect a world of repressed emotion and passing time.

Stanza 2

The sun is distant, and they fill out space
Sweatless as watercolour under glass.
He kicks abruptly. But we may suppose
The leaves he scatters thus will settle back
In much the same position as they rose.

This stanza presents a quiet, reflective moment that explores themes of emotional detachment, stillness, and the cyclical nature of life. The line “The sun is distant” immediately sets a cool, remote tone—suggesting not only the physical distance of the sun (perhaps evoking autumn or late afternoon) but also a metaphorical sense of emotional coldness or disconnection. The characters “fill out space” without effort or presence of heat, reinforcing their passivity or restrained emotional state. This idea is deepened by the simile “Sweatless as watercolour under glass”, which compares their still, untouched calmness to a delicate painting protected behind glass—unaffected by the elements, safe but lifeless. Then comes a moment of sudden contrast: “He kicks abruptly,” introducing a brief disturbance to the scene, perhaps representing a moment of frustration, impulse, or emotional expression. However, the stanza quickly undercuts this action by suggesting that it has no lasting impact—“the leaves he scatters thus will settle back / In much the same position as they rose.” This conveys a sense of futility: even small acts of rebellion or disruption don’t truly change the established order. The world, like the leaves, returns to its original stillness. Ultimately, the stanza suggests that emotional restraint and the patterns of life resist disruption, and that calm detachment often reasserts itself after fleeting moments of disturbance.

Stanza 3

A tutor's indignation works on air,
Altering nothing; action bustles where,
Towards the pool by which they lately stood,
The husband comes discussing with his bailiff
Poachers, the broken fences round the wood.

This stanza contrasts emotional frustration with practical authority, emphasizing the disconnect between intellect or moral feeling and actual power. The tutor’s “indignation” is described as something that “works on air,” suggesting that his anger or disapproval has no substance or effect—it is intangible and ineffectual. Despite his feelings, “altering nothing” reinforces his powerlessness; his role in the social structure leaves him without influence. Meanwhile, real “action bustles” elsewhere, indicating that meaningful activity and decision-making lie beyond him. The scene shifts to “the husband,” a figure of authority and ownership, who is actively engaged in conversation with his bailiff—the estate’s steward—about practical concerns like “poachers” and “broken fences.” These are tangible threats to property and order, matters that occupy the attention of those in charge. The reference to the “pool by which they lately stood” hints that the tutor and others were recently there, perhaps reflecting or engaging in more abstract concerns, but now the focus has shifted to real-world issues. The juxtaposition between the ineffectual emotion of the tutor and the purposeful busyness of the husband underlines a key theme: in this world, social position determines whose concerns matter and who has the power to act.

Stanza 4

Pighead! The poacher is at large, and lingers,          
A dead mouse gripped between his sensitive fingers          
Fences already keep the live game out:
See how your property twists her parasol,   
Hesitates in the tender trap of doubt.

This stanza explores emotional tension, possessiveness, and the threat of transgression, using vivid metaphor and layered imagery. It begins with the outburst “Pighead!”—a direct insult that signals frustration, likely directed at the husband for his rigid or unfeeling attitude. The mention of “the poacher” introduces a sense of both literal and symbolic threat: literally, someone illegally intruding on private property; symbolically, a figure who challenges emotional or social boundaries—perhaps representing the young tutor or an unspoken romantic presence. The unsettling image of “a dead mouse gripped between his sensitive fingers” suggests a disturbing mixture of delicacy and cruelty. It may symbolize something small, vulnerable, and lost—hinting at emotional harm or the fragility of innocence within a world governed by power and control.

The line “Fences already keep the live game out” serves a double purpose: practically, it refers to physical barriers meant to protect the estate; metaphorically, it implies that emotional or societal boundaries are firmly in place to prevent freedom, spontaneity, or illicit connection. The focus then shifts to the wife, referred to coldly as “your property”—exposing how the husband sees her as something owned rather than a person with agency. Her subtle action—“twists her parasol”—conveys inner turmoil, a nervous or uncertain gesture that suggests emotional conflict. Finally, “hesitates in the tender trap of doubt” describes her as emotionally caught—not by force, but by her own uncertainty, suggesting that she is torn between loyalty and desire, security and feeling. The stanza captures a moment charged with psychological and emotional tension, exposing the cracks beneath a surface of control and propriety.

Stanza 5

Here they repair, here daily handle lightly
The brief excitements that disturb them nightly;
Sap draws back inch by inch, and to the ground
The words they uttered rustle constantly:
Silent, they watch the growing, weightless mound.

This stanza reflects a quiet, melancholic meditation on emotional withdrawal, memory, and the passage of time. The phrase “Here they repair” suggests a habitual return—possibly to a place or routine where the characters attempt to process their feelings. However, they only “handle lightly / The brief excitements that disturb them nightly”—indicating that the emotional disturbances or passions they experience, perhaps dreams or repressed desires, are acknowledged during the day with restraint and detachment. Instead of confronting these feelings directly, they treat them delicately, almost dismissively.

The natural image “Sap draws back inch by inch” mirrors this emotional withdrawal. Just as sap retreats from a tree's outer branches in autumn, the characters are slowly pulling back from emotional openness or vitality, suggesting a gradual fading of connection or feeling. This slow retreat is further emphasized by “to the ground,” reinforcing a downward, declining motion—symbolic of both the season and their emotional state.

The line “The words they uttered rustle constantly” adds a haunting quality: even though they are now silent, the things they once said continue to linger, like the soft, persistent sound of dry leaves in the wind. These past words, perhaps full of meaning or regret, still echo in their minds, underscoring a sense of unresolved tension. The final image—“the growing, weightless mound”—likely refers to fallen leaves but also symbolizes the accumulation of unspoken feelings, memories, or emotional residue. Though physically light and silent, this "mound" carries symbolic weight, as the characters silently observe what has built up from everything they’ve left unsaid or lightly handled. Overall, the stanza conveys a mood of quiet resignation and emotional fading, with nature echoing the slow retreat of inner life.

Stanza 6

They leave at last a chosen element,
Resume the motions of their discontent;
She takes her sewing up, and he again
Names to her son the deserts on the globe,
And leaves thrust violently upon the pane.

This stanza portrays a return from a brief emotional or reflective escape back into the monotony and quiet dissatisfaction of everyday life. The phrase “They leave at last a chosen element” suggests that the characters had momentarily occupied a space—either literal or emotional—that offered them a sense of calm, connection, or contemplation. However, this retreat is temporary, and they “resume the motions of their discontent,” meaning they fall back into habitual routines that lack fulfillment. Their lives are characterized by a kind of mechanical repetition that reflects underlying dissatisfaction or emotional stagnation.

The woman picks up her sewing—a domestic, quiet task that symbolizes retreat into traditional, expected roles. It also serves as a way of avoiding deeper emotional confrontation. The man, on the other hand, turns to his son and resumes naming deserts of the world—a factual, educational activity that signals distance, control, and a preference for knowledge over emotional expression. This moment of instruction stands in contrast to the emotional complexity hinted at earlier in the poem.

Meanwhile, the natural world outside is not still: “leaves thrust violently upon the pane” creates a vivid image of wind-driven leaves hitting the window. This acts as a symbol for suppressed passions or emotional forces pressing from outside, trying to break through their domestic containment. The violence of the image contrasts sharply with the calm and emotionally closed world inside the home, emphasizing the tension between internal repression and external unrest. Overall, the stanza powerfully encapsulates themes of emotional withdrawal, routine as a form of denial, and the persistent presence of nature as a reminder of what they are avoiding.

 Critical Appreciation

Thom Gunn’s Autumn Chapter in a Novel is a richly layered and atmospheric poem that explores themes of emotional repression, social constraint, routine, and the quiet tensions beneath domestic life. Set against the backdrop of autumn—a season traditionally associated with decay, transition, and introspection—the poem examines the emotional and psychological stasis of a group of characters, including a husband, wife, son, tutor, and others, within a country estate.

Themes

The dominant theme is emotional repression within the confines of a socially structured, perhaps upper-middle-class domestic setting. Characters go through daily motions with restrained emotion, concealing inner dissatisfaction, longing, or conflict. The poem also explores the failure of communication, the contrast between intellect and authority, and the intrusiveness of the natural world, which acts as a silent witness to suppressed desires and tensions. Another strong thematic undercurrent is ownership and gender roles, seen in how the wife is described as "property" and how emotional control is exerted subtly but firmly within the home.

Structure and Form

The poem is written in blank verse, using unrhymed iambic pentameter. This traditional form lends a dignified, measured tone to the poem and mirrors the restrained, composed lives of the characters. The lack of rhyme enhances the naturalistic, prose-like quality, fitting its subtitle “in a Novel.” The poem unfolds in stanzaic units that resemble narrative scenes, each focusing on different moments or characters, creating a sense of episodic progression typical of a novelistic chapter.

Tone and Mood

The tone of the poem is detached, observant, and subtly ironic. Gunn maintains a narrative distance, allowing readers to interpret the characters’ inner lives through restrained language and carefully crafted imagery. At times, the tone turns quietly critical, especially when exploring themes of patriarchy and emotional detachment.

The mood is one of quiet melancholy, with a persistent undercurrent of unease. Autumn, as a season of dying and withdrawal, mirrors the characters' emotional states—cool, still, and slowly eroding. Moments of tension (e.g., the tutor’s indignation or the image of leaves thrust against the window) pierce the calm surface, hinting at the emotions kept just out of sight.

Literary Devices

Gunn employs several literary devices to enrich the poem’s texture:

· Metaphor and Symbolism: Nature imagery serves as a symbolic mirror of the characters’ inner lives. For instance, “sap draws back inch by inch” symbolizes emotional withdrawal, while “leaves thrust violently upon the pane” suggests the intrusion of raw, uncontained emotion.

· Personification: Elements of nature, such as “words they uttered rustle constantly,” give inanimate things emotional resonance, underscoring the poem’s theme of lingering, unspoken feelings.

·  Imagery: Gunn’s precise and evocative imagery—e.g., “a dead mouse gripped between his sensitive fingers”—creates vivid, unsettling impressions that suggest moral or emotional discomfort beneath the surface calm.

·  Irony: There is a quiet irony in the depiction of characters who appear to maintain order and dignity while being subtly trapped in dissatisfaction and emotional inertia.

Conclusion

“Autumn Chapter in a Novel” is a quiet, reflective poem that embodies Larkin’s core poetic strengths: emotional restraint, observant detail, and subtle philosophical depth. It transforms an ordinary moment into a meditation on time, memory, and detachment, making the mundane quietly resonant. With its careful language and controlled tone, the poem exemplifies Larkin’s ability to express the melancholy of existence in a way that is both intimate and universal.