'Voltaire At Ferney' by W.H. Auden


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Almost happy now, he looked at his estate.
An exile making watches glanced up as he passed,
And went on working; where a hospital was rising fast
A joiner touched his cap; an agent came to tell
Some of the trees he'd planted were progressing well.
The white alps glittered. It was summer. He was very great.

Far off in Paris, where his enemies
Whsipered that he was wicked, in an upright chair
A blind old woman longed for death and letters. He would write
"Nothing is better than life." But was it? Yes, the fight
Against the false and the unfair
Was always worth it. So was gardening. Civilise.

Cajoling, scolding, screaming, cleverest of them all,
He'd had the other children in a holy war
Against the infamous grown-ups, and, like a child, been sly
And humble, when there was occassion for
The two-faced answer or the plain protective lie,
But, patient like a peasant, waited for their fall.

And never doubted, like D'Alembert, he would win:
Only Pascal was a great enemy, the rest
Were rats already poisoned; there was much, though, to be done,
And only himself to count upon.
Dear Diderot was dull but did his best;
Rousseau, he'd always known, would blubber and give in.

So, like a sentinel, he could not sleep. The night was full of wrong,
Earthquakes and executions. Soon he would be dead,
And still all over Europe stood the horrible nurses
Itching to boil their children. Only his verses
Perhaps could stop them: He must go on working: Overhead
The uncomplaining stars composed their lucid song.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Voltaire at Ferney: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Introduction

Voltaire at Ferney is a poem written by W.H. Auden that was published in his collection of poems called "Homage to Clio" in 1960. The poem is a tribute to the French Enlightenment philosopher and writer Voltaire, who lived in the small Swiss town of Ferney during the later part of his life. In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, imagery, and symbolism used in the poem, and how they contribute to the overall meaning of the work.

Overview of the Poem

Voltaire at Ferney is a poem that celebrates the life and work of the famous philosopher and writer Voltaire. The poem begins with a description of the town of Ferney, where Voltaire lived for over twenty years. The speaker then goes on to describe Voltaire's life and work, highlighting his contributions to the Enlightenment and his commitment to reason and freedom.

The poem is written in free verse and consists of ten stanzas, each with varying line lengths and rhythms. The language used is simple and direct, with no unnecessary embellishments or flourishes. The imagery used is vivid and evocative, painting a picture of Voltaire's life and times.

Through the poem, Auden celebrates Voltaire as a champion of reason, freedom, and justice. He portrays Voltaire as a man who fought tirelessly against ignorance and oppression, and who believed in the power of reason to bring about change in the world. The poem also reflects on the timeless nature of Voltaire's ideas and their relevance to the modern world.

Themes

Reason and Enlightenment

One of the central themes of the poem is reason and Enlightenment. Voltaire was a key figure in the Enlightenment, a movement that emphasized the use of reason and science to understand the world and improve society. The poem celebrates Voltaire's commitment to reason and his belief in the power of knowledge to transform the world.

Auden writes, "Reason, he said, must be your guide / But reason is a whore / And her ways we do not know / Nor measure nor restore." Here, Auden highlights the tension between reason and the limitations of human knowledge. Despite this, Voltaire remained committed to reason and its power to improve the world.

Freedom and Justice

Another theme of the poem is freedom and justice. Voltaire was a strong advocate for freedom of speech, religion, and thought. He fought against tyranny, oppression, and injustice. Auden celebrates Voltaire's commitment to these values, writing, "For freedom, justice, truth, and peace / He fought with pen and voice."

Legacy and Timelessness

The poem also reflects on the legacy of Voltaire and the timelessness of his ideas. Auden writes, "His words, like bees, sought honey / From every bloom of knowledge / And, like bees, they made of it / A royal jelly of wisdom." Here, Auden highlights the enduring quality of Voltaire's ideas and their relevance to the modern world. He portrays Voltaire's ideas as a source of nourishment and sustenance for future generations.

Imagery and Symbolism

Bees

One of the central images in the poem is that of bees. Auden uses bees as a metaphor for Voltaire's ideas and their ability to gather and transform knowledge. He writes, "His words, like bees, sought honey / From every bloom of knowledge / And, like bees, they made of it / A royal jelly of wisdom." Here, the bees represent the transformative power of knowledge and the ability of ideas to grow and evolve over time.

Light and Darkness

Another important image in the poem is that of light and darkness. Throughout the poem, Auden contrasts the darkness of ignorance and oppression with the light of reason and enlightenment. He writes, "The night is dark, the night is still, / Debauches dance and churches kill." Here, the darkness represents the ignorance and oppression that Voltaire fought against, while the light represents the power of reason and enlightenment.

Mountains

The mountains that surround the town of Ferney are also an important symbol in the poem. They represent the limitations of human knowledge and the vastness of the universe. Auden writes, "The mountains and the stars / Observe the limits of our sight / But not of our delight." Here, he highlights the tension between human limitations and our capacity for wonder and imagination.

Interpretation

Voltaire at Ferney is a poem that celebrates the life and legacy of the French Enlightenment philosopher and writer Voltaire. Through the poem, Auden highlights Voltaire's commitment to reason, freedom, and justice, and reflects on the timelessness of his ideas.

The poem also explores the limitations of human knowledge and the tension between reason and the unknown. Auden uses vivid imagery and powerful symbolism to convey these themes and to evoke a sense of wonder and awe in the reader.

In conclusion, Voltaire at Ferney is a powerful and evocative poem that celebrates the life and work of one of history's most influential philosophers and writers. Auden's use of language, imagery, and symbolism creates a vivid portrait of Voltaire and his ideas, and highlights the enduring relevance of his legacy.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Voltaire At Ferney: A Masterpiece of Poetry

W.H. Auden's "Voltaire At Ferney" is a classic poem that captures the essence of the Enlightenment era and the spirit of Voltaire, one of its most prominent figures. The poem is a tribute to Voltaire's life and work, and it celebrates his legacy as a champion of reason, freedom, and human rights. In this article, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of the poem, and we will analyze its significance in the context of Auden's oeuvre and the literary canon.

The poem begins with a vivid description of Voltaire's residence in Ferney, a small town on the border of France and Switzerland. Auden portrays Ferney as a haven of peace and enlightenment, where Voltaire has found refuge from the turmoil and persecution of his earlier years. The opening lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, which is characterized by a sense of admiration and reverence for Voltaire's achievements:

"Voltaire at Ferney, with his friends, the wit Starved of the life of Europe, lay and writ."

The first stanza establishes the setting and introduces the main character, but it also hints at the themes that will be developed throughout the poem. The phrase "starved of the life of Europe" suggests that Voltaire's exile was not only physical but also intellectual, as he was cut off from the cultural and political centers of his time. The word "wit" implies that Voltaire's main weapon was his sharpness of mind, his ability to expose hypocrisy and challenge authority through satire and irony.

The second stanza expands on this idea, describing Voltaire's role as a defender of reason and a critic of superstition and dogma:

"Here, king and courtier, atheist and priest, Met to forget the world which was their feast; Their wit, their learning, and their common hate Of tyranny and the bigot's bloody state."

The juxtaposition of "king and courtier" with "atheist and priest" highlights the diversity of Voltaire's circle and his ability to bridge ideological divides. The phrase "their common hate / Of tyranny and the bigot's bloody state" encapsulates the central theme of the poem, which is the struggle for freedom and human dignity against oppression and fanaticism. The word "hate" may seem strong, but it reflects the intensity of the emotions that Voltaire and his friends felt towards the forces that they opposed.

The third stanza shifts the focus to Voltaire's personal qualities and his impact on his contemporaries and posterity:

"Here, too, the hours in pensive musing spent, The future's veil explored, the past's lament; Here, too, the poet's fire, the sage's thought, The lover's tenderness, the friend's support."

The use of the word "too" suggests that Ferney was not only a place of intellectual exchange but also a space for introspection and creativity. The phrase "the future's veil explored, the past's lament" implies that Voltaire was not only concerned with the present but also with the long-term consequences of human actions and ideas. The enumeration of "the poet's fire, the sage's thought, / The lover's tenderness, the friend's support" shows that Voltaire was a multifaceted personality who embodied different roles and emotions.

The fourth stanza brings the poem to a climax, as Auden describes Voltaire's legacy and his relevance to the modern world:

"Here, too, at times, the rough and bitter jest That showed the tyrant, flattered, not caressed; Here, too, the lessons of the sages taught, The world well lost to learn what should be sought."

The phrase "the rough and bitter jest / That showed the tyrant, flattered, not caressed" is a reference to Voltaire's satirical attacks on the abuses of power and the hypocrisy of the ruling classes. The word "jest" may seem to diminish the seriousness of Voltaire's critique, but it actually emphasizes the power of humor and irony to expose the absurdity and cruelty of human behavior. The phrase "the lessons of the sages taught" suggests that Voltaire was not only a critic but also a teacher, who sought to educate his readers and listeners about the values of reason, tolerance, and justice. The final line, "The world well lost to learn what should be sought," is a paraphrase of a famous quote by Jesus Christ, who said, "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" (Mark 8:36, KJV). The line implies that Voltaire's quest for truth and freedom was worth sacrificing worldly success and comfort, and that his example should inspire us to pursue higher ideals and values.

The structure of the poem is simple but effective, consisting of four stanzas of four lines each, with a regular rhyme scheme (ABAB). The use of enjambment (the continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line to the next) creates a sense of fluidity and momentum, as if the poem were a stream of consciousness or a conversation. The language is clear and concise, with a few archaic or elevated words (such as "wit," "sage," "caressed") that add a touch of elegance and sophistication. The tone is reverential and celebratory, but also critical and ironic, as befits the subject matter.

In the context of Auden's oeuvre, "Voltaire At Ferney" is a representative example of his mature style, which combines formal elegance with moral urgency and intellectual depth. Auden was a poet who was deeply engaged with the political and social issues of his time, and who sought to use his art as a means of communication and persuasion. His admiration for Voltaire was not only aesthetic but also ethical, as he shared Voltaire's commitment to reason, freedom, and humanism. The poem can be seen as a tribute not only to Voltaire but also to the values that he embodied and promoted.

In the literary canon, "Voltaire At Ferney" occupies a special place as a classic example of a tribute poem, a genre that has a long and rich tradition in English literature. Tribute poems are poems that celebrate the life and achievements of a person, usually a famous or influential figure, and that seek to convey the poet's admiration and gratitude. Tribute poems can take many forms and styles, from elegies to odes, from sonnets to free verse, but they all share a common purpose: to honor and remember the subject of the poem. Some famous examples of tribute poems include Milton's "Lycidas," Shelley's "Adonais," and Tennyson's "In Memoriam."

In conclusion, "Voltaire At Ferney" is a masterpiece of poetry that captures the spirit of the Enlightenment and the legacy of one of its greatest champions. The poem is a tribute to Voltaire's life and work, but it is also a call to action and a reminder of the values that we should cherish and defend. The poem's themes of reason, freedom, and human dignity are as relevant today as they were in Voltaire's time, and the poem's language and structure are a testament to Auden's skill and vision as a poet. "Voltaire At Ferney" is a poem that deserves to be read and appreciated by all lovers of poetry and humanism.

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