In Rockaby, life is divided into four parts and aseach part comes to an end the old woman's hope of communication lessens. Therefore, she is pushed into loneliness and unhappiness. All her life becomes the monotonous and repetitive movement of a rocking chair, going back and forth since she never moves out of this chair.. Her self is divided into, consciousness or mind represented by W' s recorded voice, and her body or physical life is symbolized by the rocking chair. From the accounts of the recorded voice it becomes clear that all her life the old woman looked for a companion, a living soul, the presence of whom would give her the comfort she needed. Then, towards the end she realizes that life cannot offer her the warmth, security and darkness she searches for. She wishes to return to her mother's womb or to 'death' where she hopes to find a possible salvation.