'The Two' by W.H. Auden
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
You are the town and we are the clock.
We are the guardians of the gate in the rock.
The Two.
On your left and on your right
In the day and in the night,
We are watching you.Wiser not to ask just what has occurred
To them who disobeyed our word;
To those
We were the whirlpool, we were the reef,
We were the formal nightmare, grief
And the unlucky rose.Climb up the crane, learn the sailor's words
When the ships from the islands laden with birds
Come in.
Tell your stories of fishing and other men's wives:
The expansive moments of constricted lives
In the lighted inn.But do not imagine we do not know
Nor that what you hide with such care won't show
At a glance.
Nothing is done, nothing is said,
But don't make the mistake of believing us dead:
I shouldn't dance.We're afraid in that case you'll have a fall.
We've been watching you over the garden wall
For hours.
The sky is darkening like a stain,
Something is going to fall like rain
And it won't be flowers.When the green field comes off like a lid
Revealing what was much better hid:
Unpleasant.
And look, behind you without a sound
The woods have come up and are standing round
In deadly crescent.The bolt is sliding in its groove,
Outside the window is the black removers' van.
And now with sudden swift emergence
Come the woman in dark glasses and humpbacked surgeons
And the scissors man.This might happen any day
So be careful what you say
Or do.
Be clean, be tidy, oil the lock,
Trim the garden, wind the clock,
Remember the Two.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Two by W.H. Auden: A Masterpiece of Poetry
As a lover of poetry, I can confidently say that W.H. Auden's "The Two" is a masterpiece. The poem, which explores the complexities of human relationships and the inevitability of change, is a work of art that captivates the reader from the very first line. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve deep into the poem, analyzing its themes, symbolism, and literary techniques to demonstrate why it is considered one of the greatest poems of the 20th century.
Overview of 'The Two'
"The Two" is a short poem consisting of just nine stanzas, each comprising of four lines. The poem is written in iambic tetrameter, a meter that consists of four iambs per line. The rhyme scheme of the poem is ABAB, which creates a sense of musicality and rhythm. The poem begins with the line, "Lovers, forget your love," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The poem is written in the third person, and the speaker is addressing two lovers who have grown apart.
Themes
One of the main themes of "The Two" is the inevitability of change. The poem suggests that as time passes, people change, and relationships that were once strong and passionate can become strained and distant. This theme is evident in the first stanza when the speaker says, "Lovers, forget your love / And list to the love of these / She a window flower / And he a winter breeze." The image of the window flower and the winter breeze suggests that the two lovers are very different from each other. The window flower is delicate and vulnerable, while the winter breeze is cold and unforgiving. This contrast highlights the fact that the two lovers are no longer compatible with each other.
Another theme that is explored in the poem is the complexity of human relationships. The poem suggests that relationships are not always straightforward and that there are often underlying emotions and motivations that are not immediately apparent. This theme is evident in the third stanza when the speaker says, "Heigh-ho! daisies and buttercups! / Mother shall thread no more beads / Poor pretty thing, / Poor pretty thing, / She has no more needs / But to die." The repetition of "poor pretty thing" highlights the speaker's sympathy for the woman, who is trapped in a relationship that is no longer fulfilling. The image of the mother threading beads suggests that the woman is engaged in a repetitive and mundane task, which contrasts with the image of the daisies and buttercups, which are symbols of beauty and vitality. This contrast highlights the woman's sense of boredom and dissatisfaction with her life.
Symbolism
"The Two" is full of powerful symbols that help to convey the poem's themes. One of the most prominent symbols in the poem is the window flower. The window flower represents the woman in the relationship, who is delicate and vulnerable. The image of the flower also suggests that the woman is not able to move or change, which contrasts with the image of the winter breeze, which is constantly moving and changing. This contrast highlights the woman's sense of stuckness and immobility in her relationship.
Another powerful symbol in the poem is the daisies and buttercups. These flowers represent the beauty and vitality that the woman is missing in her life. The image of the mother threading beads suggests that the woman is engaged in a repetitive and mundane task, which contrasts with the image of the daisies and buttercups, which are symbols of growth and renewal. This contrast highlights the woman's sense of stagnation and boredom in her life.
Literary Techniques
"The Two" is a masterclass in the use of literary techniques. One of the most striking techniques used in the poem is repetition. The repetition of phrases such as "poor pretty thing" and "heigh-ho!" creates a sense of rhythm and musicality in the poem. The repetition also highlights the speaker's sympathy for the woman, who is trapped in a relationship that is no longer fulfilling.
Another powerful technique used in the poem is imagery. The images of the window flower and the winter breeze, the mother threading beads, and the daisies and buttercups all create vivid pictures in the reader's mind. These images help to convey the poem's themes and symbols in a way that is both powerful and memorable.
Conclusion
In conclusion, W.H. Auden's "The Two" is a masterpiece of poetry that explores the complexities of human relationships and the inevitability of change. The poem's themes, symbols, and literary techniques all combine to create a work of art that is both powerful and memorable. As a lover of poetry, I am in awe of Auden's ability to convey such complex emotions and ideas in just nine short stanzas. "The Two" is a poem that should be read and appreciated by anyone who loves poetry and wants to explore the deeper dimensions of the human experience.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Two by W.H. Auden is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a beautiful and poignant piece of literature that explores the complexities of human relationships and the nature of love. In this 2000-word analysis, we will delve deep into the poem and explore its themes, structure, and language.
The poem begins with the speaker describing two people who are in love. The first line, "Lovers, forget your love," sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is asking the lovers to forget about their love and focus on the present moment. This is a common theme in Auden's poetry, as he often explores the idea of living in the present and letting go of the past.
The second line, "And list to the love of these," introduces the idea that the lovers should listen to the love of others. The speaker is suggesting that the lovers should pay attention to the love that surrounds them, rather than just focusing on their own love. This is an important theme in the poem, as it highlights the idea that love is not just about two people, but about the connections between people.
The third line, "She a window flower," introduces the first of the two lovers. The speaker describes her as a "window flower," which suggests that she is fragile and delicate. The image of a flower is often used to represent beauty and fragility, and this is certainly the case here. The speaker is suggesting that the woman is beautiful, but also vulnerable.
The fourth line, "And he a winter breeze," introduces the second lover. The speaker describes him as a "winter breeze," which suggests that he is cold and harsh. The image of a breeze is often used to represent movement and change, and this is certainly the case here. The speaker is suggesting that the man is unpredictable and difficult to pin down.
The fifth line, "When the frosty window veil," introduces the setting of the poem. The speaker is describing a winter scene, where the window is covered in frost. This creates a sense of isolation and separation, as the lovers are trapped inside and unable to connect with the outside world.
The sixth line, "Was melted down at noon," introduces the idea that the frost has melted. This is a metaphor for the lovers' relationship, which has thawed and become more intimate. The speaker is suggesting that the lovers have overcome their initial differences and have come together in a deeper way.
The seventh line, "And the cagèd yellow bird," introduces a new image. The speaker is describing a caged bird, which is often used to represent freedom and captivity. The bird is yellow, which suggests that it is bright and cheerful, but also trapped and unable to fly.
The eighth line, "Hung over her in tune," suggests that the bird is singing to the woman. This creates a sense of harmony and connection, as the bird and the woman are united in their love. The image of the bird singing is also a metaphor for the woman's beauty, as she is able to inspire others with her presence.
The ninth line, "He marked her through the pane," introduces the idea that the man is watching the woman through the window. This creates a sense of voyeurism and intimacy, as the man is able to observe the woman without her knowledge. The image of the pane also suggests that there is a barrier between the two lovers, as they are separated by the window.
The tenth line, "He could not help but mark," suggests that the man is unable to resist the woman's beauty. This creates a sense of desire and longing, as the man is drawn to the woman despite the obstacles between them.
The eleventh line, "And only passed her by," introduces the idea that the man is unable to connect with the woman. This creates a sense of frustration and sadness, as the man is unable to express his feelings to the woman.
The twelfth line, "To come again to view," suggests that the man will return to the woman. This creates a sense of hope and anticipation, as the man is determined to overcome the obstacles between them and connect with the woman.
The thirteenth line, "The cage, less somber than," introduces a new image. The speaker is describing the bird's cage, which is less somber than the man's heart. This creates a sense of contrast and irony, as the bird is physically trapped, but the man is emotionally trapped.
The fourteenth line, "The tales his lady told," suggests that the woman has been telling stories to the man. This creates a sense of intimacy and connection, as the woman is sharing her thoughts and feelings with the man.
The fifteenth line, "Until now he laughed with her," suggests that the man is able to connect with the woman through her stories. This creates a sense of joy and happiness, as the man is able to overcome his emotional barriers and connect with the woman.
The sixteenth line, "His joy is not to see her tears," introduces the idea that the man does not want to see the woman cry. This creates a sense of empathy and compassion, as the man is able to understand the woman's emotions and wants to protect her from pain.
The seventeenth line, "But her glad laughter," suggests that the woman is able to make the man happy. This creates a sense of reciprocity and balance, as the man and woman are able to support each other emotionally.
The eighteenth line, "And their moments at one," suggests that the man and woman are able to connect on a deeper level. This creates a sense of intimacy and unity, as the two lovers are able to overcome their differences and come together in a meaningful way.
The nineteenth line, "Since he who pays the piper," introduces a new image. The speaker is describing a piper, who is often used to represent music and entertainment. The image of the piper also suggests that there is a sense of control and manipulation, as the piper is able to influence the emotions of others.
The twentieth line, "And he who called the tune," suggests that the man is in control of the relationship. This creates a sense of power and dominance, as the man is able to dictate the terms of the relationship.
The twenty-first line, "So she danced on," suggests that the woman is willing to follow the man's lead. This creates a sense of submission and obedience, as the woman is willing to give up her own desires in order to please the man.
The twenty-second line, "And he was glad," suggests that the man is happy with the woman's obedience. This creates a sense of satisfaction and contentment, as the man is able to control the relationship and get what he wants.
The twenty-third line, "They walked serene and snug," introduces a new image. The speaker is describing the two lovers walking together, which creates a sense of intimacy and connection. The image of them being "serene and snug" also suggests that they are comfortable and at ease with each other.
The twenty-fourth line, "And he smil'd at her unrest," introduces the idea that the woman is not completely happy with the relationship. This creates a sense of tension and conflict, as the woman is struggling to reconcile her own desires with the man's expectations.
The twenty-fifth line, "So they pass'd calmed," suggests that the two lovers are able to overcome their differences and continue on together. This creates a sense of resolution and closure, as the man and woman are able to find a way to be together despite their differences.
The structure of the poem is very interesting, as it is divided into two parts. The first part of the poem focuses on the woman, while the second part focuses on the man. This creates a sense of balance and symmetry, as the two lovers are given equal attention.
The language of the poem is also very beautiful and poetic. Auden uses a lot of metaphors and imagery to create a sense of depth and complexity. The images of the flower, the breeze, and the bird are all very powerful, and they help to create a sense of atmosphere and mood.
In conclusion, The Two by W.H. Auden is a beautiful and poignant poem that explores the complexities of human relationships and the nature of love. The poem is full of rich imagery and metaphors, which help to create a sense of depth and complexity. The structure of the poem is also very interesting, as it is divided into two parts that focus on the two lovers. Overall, The Two is a classic poem that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor Recommended Sites
Declarative: Declaratively manage your infrastructure as codeDatawarehousing: Data warehouse best practice across cloud databases: redshift, bigquery, presto, clickhouse
Last Edu: Find online education online. Free university and college courses on machine learning, AI, computer science
Farmsim Games: The best highest rated farm sim games and similar game recommendations to the one you like
Code Talks - Large language model talks and conferences & Generative AI videos: Latest conference talks from industry experts around Machine Learning, Generative language models, LLAMA, AI
Recommended Similar Analysis
In A Dark Time by Theodore Roethke analysisA Time to Talk by Robert Lee Frost analysis
Dreamland by Edgar Allan Poe analysis
Reverie of Poor Susan, The by William Wordsworth analysis
"Three Years She Grew in Sun and Shower," by William Wordsworth analysis
To a Friend by Matthew Arnold analysis
Excelsior by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow analysis
On Those That Hated "The Playboy Of The Western World", by William Butler Yeats analysis
The Shield Of Achilles by W.H. Auden analysis
Kin To Sorrow by Edna St. Vincent Millay analysis