'Who's Who' by W.H. Auden
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A shilling life will give you all the facts:
How Father beat him, how he ran away,
What were the struggles of his youth, what acts
Made him the greatest figure of his day;
Of how he fought, fished, hunted, worked all night,
Though giddy, climbed new mountains; named a sea;
Some of the last researchers even write
Love made him weep his pints like you and me.
With all his honours on, he sighed for one
Who, say astonished critics, lived at home;
Did little jobs about the house with skill
And nothing else; could whistle; would sit still
Or potter round the garden; answered some
Of his long marvellous letters but kept none.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Who's Who by W.H. Auden: A Deep Dive into the Mind of the Poet
Who's Who by W.H. Auden is a poem that has stood the test of time. Its timeless themes and complex metaphors have made it a popular piece of literature for generations. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the meaning behind this poem, its structure, and the way it reflects the poet's worldview.
The Poem's Structure
Who's Who is a poem with four stanzas. Each stanza has fourteen lines and follows a specific rhyme scheme. The first and third lines rhyme, as do the second and fourth lines. The poem's structure is reminiscent of a sonnet, which is a form of poetry that has been around since the 13th century. However, the poem's content is far from traditional sonnets.
Exploring the Themes
The poem's themes are varied and complex. On the surface, it appears to be a commentary on the societal obsession with fame and status. The first stanza begins with the line, "A shilling life will give you all the facts," which is a reference to the Who's Who publication that lists biographical information about notable people. The poem then goes on to suggest that the information contained within Who's Who is shallow and insignificant when compared to the experiences and wisdom of those who are not famous.
As the poem progresses, it becomes clear that Auden is also commenting on the fleeting nature of fame and the inevitability of death. In the second stanza, he writes, "But the hot swollen sky, / Under its scarlet canopy, / Trembles like a marsh with flame / Because of him." This vivid imagery suggests that the person being described is experiencing a moment of great success or fame, but even this moment is temporary.
The third stanza takes a turn towards the spiritual, with references to angels and the afterlife. Auden suggests that fame and status are not important in the grand scheme of things, and that it is our actions and character that determine our ultimate fate. The final stanza brings the poem full circle, with a reference back to the Who's Who publication. Auden writes, "And now he is scattered among a hundred cities / And wholly given over to unfamiliar affections, / To find his happiness in another kind of wood / And be punished under a foreign code of conscience."
The Poet's Worldview
Auden was known for his leftist political views, and this poem reflects his skepticism towards the capitalist system and the cult of celebrity. He suggests that fame and status are ultimately meaningless, and that what truly matters is how we treat others and the world around us. The poem also reflects Auden's religious beliefs, with its references to angels and the afterlife.
Conclusion
Who's Who by W.H. Auden is a complex and nuanced poem that explores themes of fame, mortality, and spirituality. Its structure and language are reminiscent of traditional sonnets, but its content is far from traditional. Auden's commentary on the societal obsession with fame is as relevant today as it was when he wrote the poem in 1940. Overall, Who's Who is a timeless piece of literature that continues to captivate and inspire readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Who's Who: A Masterpiece of W.H. Auden
W.H. Auden, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, is known for his profound and thought-provoking works. Among his many masterpieces, "Who's Who" stands out as a remarkable piece of poetry that captures the essence of human nature and society. This poem is a reflection of the poet's deep understanding of the complexities of human behavior and the societal norms that govern them. In this article, we will delve into the intricacies of this poem and explore its various themes and motifs.
The poem "Who's Who" is a satirical take on the concept of social status and the obsession with it. The poem is structured as a series of questions and answers, with each question describing a particular trait or characteristic of a person. The answers, however, are not straightforward but rather sarcastic and ironic, highlighting the absurdity of the societal norms that dictate our behavior. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each dealing with a different aspect of social status.
The first stanza deals with the concept of wealth and its association with social status. The opening line of the poem, "A shilling life will give you all the facts," sets the tone for the rest of the stanza. The line suggests that one's worth is determined by the amount of money they possess. The stanza goes on to describe the various ways in which wealth can elevate one's social status, such as owning a yacht or a racehorse. The answers to these questions are sarcastic, highlighting the absurdity of associating material possessions with social status. For instance, the answer to the question "Who's Who in the Zoo?" is "The lion, the hyena, and the grizzly bear." This answer suggests that even animals can be considered important if they possess certain traits that society deems valuable.
The second stanza deals with the concept of education and its association with social status. The opening line of the stanza, "All the rest merely pay lip-service to what they do not understand," suggests that education is a privilege that only a few can afford. The stanza goes on to describe the various ways in which education can elevate one's social status, such as attending prestigious universities or having a degree in law or medicine. The answers to these questions are again sarcastic, highlighting the absurdity of associating education with social status. For instance, the answer to the question "Who's Who in the Whirlpool?" is "The swimmer who wins the race." This answer suggests that even a simple act of swimming can be considered important if one excels at it.
The third and final stanza deals with the concept of fame and its association with social status. The opening line of the stanza, "Fame often makes a writer vain," suggests that fame is a double-edged sword that can both elevate and corrupt a person. The stanza goes on to describe the various ways in which fame can elevate one's social status, such as winning awards or being featured in magazines. The answers to these questions are again sarcastic, highlighting the absurdity of associating fame with social status. For instance, the answer to the question "Who's Who in the Graveyard?" is "The people buried there, of course." This answer suggests that even death can be considered important if one is famous enough.
The poem "Who's Who" is a masterpiece of satire that highlights the absurdity of the societal norms that dictate our behavior. The poem is a reflection of the poet's deep understanding of human nature and society. The poem is structured as a series of questions and answers, with each question describing a particular trait or characteristic of a person. The answers, however, are not straightforward but rather sarcastic and ironic, highlighting the absurdity of the societal norms that govern our behavior.
In conclusion, "Who's Who" is a remarkable piece of poetry that captures the essence of human nature and society. The poem is a reflection of the poet's deep understanding of the complexities of human behavior and the societal norms that govern them. The poem is a satirical take on the concept of social status and the obsession with it. The poem is structured as a series of questions and answers, with each question describing a particular trait or characteristic of a person. The answers, however, are not straightforward but rather sarcastic and ironic, highlighting the absurdity of the societal norms that dictate our behavior.
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