W.H Auden Analysis

441 Words2 Pages
Jessica Nohra Writing II 26.11.12 W. H Auden Analysis. September 1,1939 written by W.H Auden shows that with bad leaders comes sadness, death, poverty and war. The poem is a criticism about the German Nazis and their decision to invade Poland. In this poem Auden says that those leaders, like Hitler, ignore how people feel and what is happening to them. There is also a brief and personal pathology that has brought on the outbreak of war. Through this poem Auden shows that sadness, death, poverty and war is caused by bad leaders who govern a country. Additionally, the leaders decisions do not reflect the views of the people. Auden states in the first stanza line 9 and 10, “ Obsessing our private lives; the unmentionable odor of death”. In these lines Auden is explaining that these leaders are unaffected by what the people say so matter what’s happening to them their order will be the same. With this statement, Auden implies that we must persevere against people that are unjust. Auden also states by using metaphors his sadness at such a terrifying moment in history and how love is important in this period. In stanza 8 lines 79 and 80, “All I have is a voice, to undo the folded lie” and line 89 “ We must love one another or die.” In those two quotes Auden shows that it’s difficult to trust people in this horrible moment in history. At that time the people didn’t really talk to others; and they were afraid that if they said something bad then it would be turned against them. Not only the people were lying to each other, but the government was also lying to them with propaganda. This is shown in stanza 8, line 83, “… the lie of the authority”, when Auden references yet there still remains the power of love; because in this world the only way to survive is, and was love. During the war, it was difficult to stay alone and have no love especially
Open Document