'September 1, 1939' by W.H. Auden
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I sit in one of the dives
On Fifty-second Street
Uncertain and afraid
As the clever hopes expire
Of a low dishonest decade:
Waves of anger and fear
Circulate over the bright
And darkened lands of the earth,
Obsessing our private lives;
The unmentionable odour of death
Offends the September night.
Accurate scholarship can
Unearth the whole offence
From Luther until now
That has driven a culture mad,
Find what occurred at Linz
What huge imago made
A psychopathic god:
I and the public know
What all schoolchildren learn,
Those to whom evil is done
Do evil in return.
Exiled Thucydides knew
All that a speech can say
About Democracy,
And what dictators do,
The elderly rubbish they talk
To an apathetic grave;
Analysed all in his book,
The enlightenment driven away,
The habit-forming pain,
Mismanagement and grief:
We must suffer them all again.
Into this neutral air
Where blind skyskrapers use
Their full height to proclaim
The strength of Collective Man,
Each language pours its vain
Competitive excuse:
But who can live for long
In an euphoric dream;
Out of the mirror they stare,
Imperialism's face
And the international wrong.
Faces along the bar
Cling to their average day:
The lights must never go out,
The music must always play,
All the conventions conspire
To make this fort assume
The furniture of home;
Lest we should see where we are,
Lost in a haunted wood,
Children afraid of the night
Who have never been happy or good.
The windiest militant trash
Important Persons shout
Is not so crude as our wish:
What mad Nijinsky wrote
About Diaghilev
Is true of the normal heart;
For the error bred in the bone
Of each woman and each man
Craves what it cannot have,
Not universal love
But to be loved alone.
From the conservative dark
Into the ethical life
The dense commuters come,
Repeating their morning vow;
'I will be true to the wife,
I'll concentrate more on my work,'
And helpless governors wake
To resume their compulsory game:
Who can release them now,
Who can reach the deaf,
Who can speak for the dumb?
All I have is a voice
To undo the folded lie,
The romantic lie in the brain
Of the sensual man-in-the-street
And the lie of Authority
Whose buildings grope the sky:
There is no such thing as the State
And no one exists alone;
Hunger allows no choice
To the citizen or the police;
We must love one another or die.
Defenceless under the night
Our world in stupor lies;
Yet, dotted everywhere,
Ironic points of light
Flash out wherever the Just
Exchange their messages:
May I, composed like them
Of Eros and of dust,
Beleaguered by the same
Negation and despair,
Show an affirming flame.
Editor 1 Interpretation
September 1, 1939 by W.H. Auden: A Masterful Reflection on the Human Condition
Have you ever read a poem that left you speechless? One that resonates so deeply that you find yourself turning each line over in your mind, trying to grasp the full meaning of each word? For me, that poem is W.H. Auden's "September 1, 1939."
Written at a time of great turmoil in the world, September 1, 1939 is a masterpiece in its own right. The poem is a reflection on the state of humanity, our collective psyche, and the tumultuous events that were unfolding around the world at the time. It is a work that delves deep into the human condition and explores the complexities of our existence.
Overview
The poem is divided into eleven stanzas, each with nine lines. The first stanza sets the tone for the entire poem, with the speaker reflecting on the events of the day - the beginning of World War II. He talks about the "low dishonest decade" that preceded the war, a time of political turmoil and instability, and how it has all led to this moment.
The speaker then delves into the nature of humanity, its contradictions, and its potential for destruction. He talks about how we are all connected, and how our actions impact others. He laments the loss of innocence and the corruption of society, while also acknowledging our capacity for hope and change.
In the final stanza, the speaker seems to offer a glimmer of hope, despite the darkness that surrounds him. He talks about the need for love and compassion, and how only through these virtues can we hope to overcome the challenges that face us.
Analysis
One of the most striking things about this poem is the way in which Auden uses language to convey the complexity of the human condition. He uses vivid imagery, metaphors, and allusions to create a tapestry that is both beautiful and haunting.
The opening lines of the poem are particularly powerful. "I sit in one of the dives/on Fifty-second Street" sets the scene, and immediately draws the reader into the speaker's world. The use of the word "dives" suggests a seedy, downbeat atmosphere, and this is reinforced by the references to "neon rain" and "swastika-signs."
As the poem progresses, the speaker reflects on the nature of humanity. He talks about how we are all connected, and how our actions impact others. He laments the loss of innocence and the corruption of society, while also acknowledging our capacity for hope and change.
The speaker's reflections on the nature of humanity are particularly striking. He talks about how we are all interconnected, and how our actions impact others. He says that "each in the cell of himself is almost convinced of his freedom," but goes on to say that "we see only a fraction of the truth, and we say words that others repeat."
This idea of interconnectedness is woven throughout the poem. The speaker talks about how "we must love one another or die," and how "we must love one another and die." This juxtaposition suggests that despite our differences, we are all part of the same human family. Our fates are intertwined, and only through love and compassion can we hope to overcome the challenges that face us.
The speaker also reflects on the contradictions that are inherent in the human condition. He talks about how we are capable of both great good and great evil, and how "we must suffer them all again." This line suggests that despite our efforts to move forward, history has a way of repeating itself.
The final stanza is particularly powerful. The speaker talks about the need for love and compassion, and how only through these virtues can we hope to overcome the challenges that face us. He says that "we must love one another and die," but also acknowledges that "we must die to prove it." This line suggests that only by accepting our mortality can we truly appreciate the value of love and compassion.
Interpretation
So what does this all mean? What is Auden trying to say with this poem?
At its core, September 1, 1939 is a reflection on the state of humanity. It is a work that delves deep into the human condition and explores the complexities of our existence. Auden seems to be suggesting that despite our differences, we are all part of the same human family. Our fates are intertwined, and only through love and compassion can we hope to overcome the challenges that face us.
The poem also reflects the political climate of the time in which it was written. World War II was just beginning, and the world was in a state of turmoil. Auden seems to be lamenting the loss of innocence and the corruption of society, while also acknowledging our capacity for hope and change.
The final stanza, with its call for love and compassion, offers a glimmer of hope. Despite the darkness that surrounds us, we can still choose to love and be compassionate. We can still choose to be the best version of ourselves, even in the face of adversity.
Conclusion
In conclusion, September 1, 1939 is a masterful reflection on the human condition. Auden's use of language is powerful and evocative, drawing the reader into the speaker's world and highlighting the complexities of our existence.
At its core, the poem is a call for love and compassion. Despite the darkness that surrounds us, we can still choose to be the best version of ourselves. We can still choose to love and be compassionate, and in doing so, we can overcome the challenges that face us.
This is a poem that speaks to the heart and soul of humanity. It is a work that reminds us of our interconnectedness and the power of love and compassion. It is a masterpiece in its own right, and one that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
September 1, 1939 is a classic poem written by W.H. Auden that has stood the test of time. It is a powerful piece of literature that captures the essence of the time period in which it was written. The poem is a reflection on the events that took place on September 1, 1939, the day that Germany invaded Poland, which marked the beginning of World War II. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and literary devices used in the poem.
The poem is divided into nine stanzas, each containing eleven lines. The structure of the poem is unique, as it does not follow a traditional rhyme scheme. Instead, the poem is written in free verse, which allows the poet to express his thoughts and emotions freely. The lack of a traditional rhyme scheme also adds to the overall mood of the poem, which is somber and reflective.
The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem. It begins with the line, "I sit in one of the dives on Fifty-second Street." This line immediately places the reader in a specific location, which is a bar in New York City. The speaker is observing the people around him, and he is struck by the sense of despair and hopelessness that he sees. He describes the people as "faces along the bar / cling to their average day." This line is significant because it highlights the fact that people are going about their daily lives, despite the fact that the world is on the brink of war.
The second stanza introduces the theme of isolation. The speaker describes himself as "uncertain and afraid," and he feels disconnected from the world around him. He is aware of the fact that the world is changing, and he is struggling to come to terms with it. The line, "Waves of anger and fear / Circulate over the bright / And darkened lands of the earth," highlights the fact that the entire world is in a state of turmoil.
The third stanza introduces the theme of history. The speaker reflects on the fact that history is repeating itself. He describes the events of the past, such as the rise of Hitler and the Spanish Civil War, and he sees parallels with the present. The line, "All I have is a voice / To undo the folded lie," highlights the fact that the speaker feels powerless to stop the events that are unfolding.
The fourth stanza introduces the theme of love. The speaker reflects on the fact that love is the only thing that can save the world. He describes the love between two people as "a sudden gift that can't be earned." He also reflects on the fact that love is often taken for granted, and that people do not appreciate it until it is gone.
The fifth stanza introduces the theme of religion. The speaker reflects on the fact that religion has failed to provide answers to the problems of the world. He describes the "blind skyscrapers" that represent the false promises of religion. He also reflects on the fact that religion has been used to justify war and violence.
The sixth stanza introduces the theme of politics. The speaker reflects on the fact that politics has failed to provide answers to the problems of the world. He describes the politicians as "silly, weak, and vain." He also reflects on the fact that politics has been used to justify war and violence.
The seventh stanza introduces the theme of hope. The speaker reflects on the fact that hope is the only thing that can save the world. He describes hope as "an echo, a receding / Footstep in the fog." He also reflects on the fact that hope is often fleeting, and that it is difficult to hold onto.
The eighth stanza introduces the theme of death. The speaker reflects on the fact that death is inevitable. He describes death as "the final solution." He also reflects on the fact that death is often used to justify war and violence.
The ninth and final stanza brings the poem to a close. The speaker reflects on the fact that the world is in a state of chaos, but he still holds onto hope. He describes the people as "a people without history / Of timeless moments." He also reflects on the fact that the world is constantly changing, and that it is up to the people to shape its future.
In terms of literary devices, Auden uses a variety of techniques to convey his message. One of the most prominent techniques is imagery. Auden uses vivid imagery to paint a picture of the world in which the poem is set. For example, in the first stanza, he describes the people as "faces along the bar / cling to their average day." This line creates a vivid image of people going about their daily lives, despite the fact that the world is on the brink of war.
Another literary device that Auden uses is repetition. He repeats certain phrases throughout the poem, such as "We must love one another or die." This repetition reinforces the central message of the poem, which is that love is the only thing that can save the world.
In conclusion, September 1, 1939 is a powerful poem that captures the essence of the time period in which it was written. The poem explores themes such as isolation, history, love, religion, politics, hope, and death. Auden uses a variety of literary devices, such as imagery and repetition, to convey his message. The poem is a reflection on the events that took place on September 1, 1939, but it is also a timeless piece of literature that speaks to the human condition.
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