MISS HELEN SLINGSBY was my maiden aunt,
And lived in a small house near a fashionable square
Cared for by servants to the number of four.
Now when she died there was silence in heaven
And silence at her end of the street.
The shutters were drawn and the undertaker wiped his feet-
He was aware that this sort of thing had occurred before.
The dogs were handsomely provided for,
But shortly afterwards the parrot died too.
The Dresden clock continued ticking on the mantelpiece,
And the footman sat upon the dining-table
Holding the second housemaid on his knees-
Who had always been so careful while her mistress lived.
Aunt Helen
Analysis, meaning and summary of T.S. Eliot's poem Aunt Helen
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Helen represents both sexes and the average people in the modern society
This female figure lived “near a fashionable square” and this symbolizes the entire fashion-loving mass
The “undertaker” paid Helen a visit – regardless of status, poor or rich, we all bleed the same
Eliot explores themes of life, death, relationships, and solitude
‘Aunt Helen’ captures the void and nothingness in human life
you posted this 8 days before I was born so I hope this helps!! 🙂
I really need help for this.. i need to analise this poem. .. and iahve no clue about it. So. . i really hope that i can get help from someone. Thank you so much.