What is Auden’s attitude to religion?
___ is a notable literary work by ___. 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, and various study materials of ___.
Answer
What is Auden’s attitude to religion? [2018]
W. H. Auden (1907–1973) is a modern poet who lived in a time of war, fear, and loss of faith. His poems show both doubt and belief. He does not reject religion but searches for real spiritual truth.
Search for Faith in a Faithless World: Auden lived in a modern world full of confusion and war. People had lost faith in God. Yet Auden looked for some higher truth. In “Lullaby,” he joins soul and body and says,
“Soul and body have no bounds.”
Here, he accepts both spirit and flesh as parts of divine love. His religion is human and loving, not narrow or fearful. He believes love itself is a holy act, not just a sin or duty.
Religion as Healing and Forgiveness: In his poem “Petition”, Auden prays to God. He prays not for heaven, but for healing and purity in human life. He asks,
“Send to us power and light, a sovereign touch.”
He sees religion as moral energy that heals pain and fear. He prays for truth, forgiveness, and a new heart. His prayer is modern. It mixes science, emotion, and faith. He believes God can renew the human soul through kindness and courage.
Hope for Redemption in Darkness: In “In Memory of W. B. Yeats”, Auden prays that poetry and goodness may bring hope in dark times. He writes,
“In the prison of his days
Teach the free man how to praise.”
Here, religion means moral strength, not blind faith. Even in despair, man must learn to love, forgive, and praise life. His religion is based on humanity, love, and creation.
Auden’s attitude to religion is neither blind belief nor rejection. He mixes faith with reason, prayer with poetry, and religion with love. For him, true religion is not in church or ritual; it lives in kindness, forgiveness, and human sympathy.