'August 1968' by W.H. Auden
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The Ogre does what ogres can,Deeds quite impossible for Man,But one prize is beyond his reach,The Ogre cannot master Speech:About a subjugated plain,Among its desperate and slain,The Ogre stalks with hands on hips,While drivel gushes from his lips.
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Poetry, August 1968" by W.H. Auden: A Journey Through Time and Language
If poetry is a journey, then "Poetry, August 1968" by W.H. Auden takes the reader on an adventure through time and language. This poem, written in Auden's typically complex yet accessible style, explores the role of poetry in contemporary society and the ways in which it can connect individuals across time and space.
An Overview of "Poetry, August 1968"
"Poetry, August 1968" is a sonnet, a fourteen-line poem with a rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. The poem is divided into four quatrains (four-line stanzas) and a final couplet (two-line stanza). Each quatrain explores a different aspect of poetry, while the couplet offers a conclusion to the poem as a whole.
The poem opens with a discussion of the origins of poetry, asking whether it began as a way to express emotions or as a means of communication. Auden then moves on to consider the role of poetry in contemporary society, arguing that it remains an important means of connection despite the challenges of modern life. In the third quatrain, Auden examines the ways in which language can both connect and isolate individuals, concluding with an assertion that poetry can help to overcome these barriers. Finally, the couplet offers a hopeful vision of the power of poetry to unite individuals across time and space.
The Origins of Poetry
The opening lines of "Poetry, August 1968" pose a fundamental question: "Did poetry begin as a means of expressing emotion, / A tool for communication, or a gift to the gods?" Auden is exploring the origins of poetry and the ways in which it has evolved over time. By framing the question in this way, he suggests that poetry has multiple functions and that its role in society may have changed over time.
Auden does not offer a definitive answer to this question, but instead leaves it open for interpretation. He acknowledges that poetry has been used for a variety of purposes throughout history, and suggests that its complexity and versatility are what make it such an enduring art form. This ambiguity is characteristic of Auden's style, which often encourages the reader to think critically and draw their own conclusions.
The Role of Poetry in Contemporary Society
The second quatrain of "Poetry, August 1968" explores the role of poetry in contemporary society. Auden argues that despite the challenges of modern life, poetry remains an important means of connection between individuals. He writes:
Despite our electronic speed, and instant / Total communication, and "atomic" bombs, / We still dream of nobler, saner days / When poems will echo not our madness but our hearts.
Here, Auden suggests that while technology has made communication faster and more efficient, it has not necessarily made it more meaningful or authentic. He contrasts this with the idea of "nobler, saner days" when poetry could serve as a means of expressing shared emotions and values.
By using the word "echo," Auden implies that poetry has the power to resonate with individuals across time and space. This idea is central to the poem as a whole: that poetry can connect us to our shared humanity and help us to overcome the isolation and fragmentation of modern life.
The Power of Language
The third quatrain of "Poetry, August 1968" explores the ways in which language can both connect and isolate individuals. Auden writes:
For language, too, is a place where we dwell, / A mansion of rooms for every feeling and thought, / Where we can listen to voices long dead, / And hear ourselves speak to unborn souls.
Here, Auden suggests that language is both a home and a prison. While it can be a means of expressing our innermost thoughts and feelings, it can also be a barrier that separates us from others. The phrase "voices long dead" suggests that language can connect us to the past, while "unborn souls" implies that it can also connect us to the future.
Auden's use of metaphor is particularly effective here. By comparing language to a "mansion of rooms," he creates a powerful image of the complexity and richness of human communication. He suggests that poetry is one way of exploring this mansion, of finding connections between different rooms and different eras.
Poetry as Connection
The final couplet of "Poetry, August 1968" offers a hopeful vision of the power of poetry to unite individuals across time and space. Auden writes:
For poetry makes nothing happen: it survives / In the valley of its making where executives / Would never want to tamper, flows on south / From ranches of isolation and the busy griefs,
Here, Auden acknowledges that poetry may not have a direct impact on the world in terms of practical action or change. However, he suggests that its value lies in its ability to endure, to survive in the "valley of its making" where it can connect with individuals on a deep and emotional level.
The phrase "ranches of isolation" is particularly striking, suggesting that poetry can help us to overcome the sense of isolation and loneliness that can be a part of contemporary life. The use of the word "griefs" suggests that poetry can be a means of processing and expressing difficult emotions.
Conclusion: The Timelessness of Poetry
"Poetry, August 1968" is a rich and complex exploration of the role of poetry in contemporary society. Auden suggests that poetry has multiple functions and that its value lies in its ability to connect individuals across time and space. By exploring the origins of poetry, the role of language, and the power of poetry to unite individuals, he creates a vision of poetry as a timeless art form with enduring relevance.
As a reader, I found "Poetry, August 1968" to be a thoughtful and engaging poem that invites interpretation and reflection. Auden's use of metaphor and imagery is particularly effective, creating vivid and memorable images that stay with the reader long after the poem is finished.
Overall, "Poetry, August 1968" is a testament to the enduring power of poetry to connect individuals across time and space, and to serve as a means of expressing our shared humanity.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry August 1968: A Masterpiece by W.H. Auden
W.H. Auden, one of the greatest poets of the 20th century, wrote a masterpiece in 1968 that has stood the test of time. The poem, titled "Poetry August 1968," is a powerful and thought-provoking work that explores the role of poetry in society and the impact it can have on individuals and communities.
At its core, "Poetry August 1968" is a reflection on the turbulent political and social climate of the late 1960s. The poem was written during a time of great upheaval, with protests and demonstrations taking place across the United States and around the world. Auden was keenly aware of the role that poetry could play in shaping public opinion and influencing social change, and he used his art to explore these themes in depth.
The poem begins with a powerful opening stanza that sets the tone for the rest of the work. Auden writes:
"Beneath an abject willow, Lover, sulk no more: Act from thought should quickly follow. What is thinking for?"
These lines are a call to action, urging the reader to take action and make a difference in the world. The image of the "abject willow" is a powerful one, evoking a sense of sadness and despair. But Auden does not dwell on these negative emotions for long. Instead, he encourages the reader to "act from thought," to use their intellect and creativity to effect change.
The poem goes on to explore the role of poetry in society, and the impact it can have on individuals and communities. Auden writes:
"Poetry makes nothing happen: it survives In the valley of its making where executives Would never want to tamper, flows on south From ranches of isolation and the busy griefs, Raw towns that we believe and die in; it survives, A way of happening, a mouth."
These lines are often cited as some of the most powerful in the poem, and for good reason. Auden is making a bold statement here, arguing that poetry is not a tool for effecting immediate change in the world. Instead, he suggests that poetry is something that endures, that survives in the "valley of its making" long after the events that inspired it have passed.
But while Auden acknowledges that poetry may not have an immediate impact on the world, he also suggests that it can have a profound impact on individuals. He writes:
"It survives In the valley of its saying where executives Would never want to tamper; it flows south From ranches of isolation and the busy griefs, Raw towns that we believe and die in; it survives, A way of happening, a mouth."
Here, Auden is suggesting that poetry can be a powerful tool for self-expression and personal growth. It can help individuals to process their emotions and experiences, and to find meaning and purpose in their lives. In this sense, poetry is not just a way of commenting on the world, but a way of engaging with it on a deeper level.
The poem concludes with a powerful call to action, urging the reader to embrace the power of poetry and use it to effect change in the world. Auden writes:
"Follow poet, follow right To the bottom of the night, With your unconstraining voice Still persuade us to rejoice; With the farming of a verse Make a vineyard of the curse, Sing of human unsuccess In a rapture of distress; In the deserts of the heart Let the healing fountain start, In the prison of his days Teach the free man how to praise."
These lines are a fitting conclusion to the poem, encapsulating its central themes and urging the reader to take action. Auden is calling on poets to use their voices to inspire and uplift others, to turn the "curse" of human unsuccess into something beautiful and meaningful. He is urging us to find hope and healing in the midst of despair, and to use poetry as a tool for personal and social transformation.
In conclusion, "Poetry August 1968" is a masterpiece of modern poetry, a powerful and thought-provoking work that explores the role of poetry in society and the impact it can have on individuals and communities. Auden's words are as relevant today as they were when they were first written, reminding us of the power of art to inspire and uplift us in even the darkest of times. As we continue to navigate the challenges of the 21st century, we would do well to heed Auden's call to action, and to use poetry as a tool for personal and social transformation.
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