What Social Consciousness Do Dou Find in Auden’s Poems?
Lullaby is a notable literary work by W. H. Auden. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, to various questions of Lullaby.
Answer
What social consciousness do you find in Auden’s poems?
W.H. Auden (1907-73) is a prolific poet of the 20th century. He crafts verses that resonate with social consciousness. This reflects his keen observation of the human condition and the world around him. Through his poetry, Auden explores various aspects of commentary society, like politics, war, love, and the individual’s struggles.
Celebration of Love and Human Connection: Auden celebrates the power of love and human connection to transcend suffering and despair. In poems like “Lullaby” and “Funeral Blues,” he produces the tender emotions of love and loss. It captures the intimacy and vulnerability of human relationships. Through his lyrical verse and imagery, Auden reminds readers of the enduring capacity for love to sustain us in the face of adversity.
Empathy for Human Suffering: Auden’s poems often depict the universality of human pain and the need for compassion. In “Musee des Beaux Arts,” he observes how suffering often goes unnoticed amidst the routine of daily life:
About suffering they were never wrong,
The Old Masters: how well they understood
Its human position: how it takes place
While someone else is eating or opening a window or just walking dully along.
Political Commentary: “In Memory of W.B. Yeats” serves as both a tribute to Yeats and a commentary on the turbulent political climate of Auden’s time. Auden addresses the role of the poet in society and the responsibility to engage with political issues. Auden challenges the notion that poetry is disconnected from reality. He asserts its power to provoke thought and provoke change. He writes,
For poetry makes nothing happen: it survives
In the valley of its saying where executives.
In conclusion, W.H. Auden’s poems embody a profound social consciousness. He addresses themes of empathy, political awareness, mortality, and resilience. Through his formal verses, Auden challenges readers to confront societal injustices, embrace empathy, and strive for a more compassionate and just world.