'Like A Vocation' by W.H. Auden
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1939Not as that dream Napoleon, rumour's dread and centre,Before who's riding all the crowds divide,
Who dedicates a column and withdraws,
Nor as that general favourite and breezy visitor
To whom the weather and the ruins mean so much,
Nor as any of those who always will be welcome,
As luck or history or fun,
Do not enter like that: all these depart.Claim, certainly, the stranger's right to pleasure:
Ambassadors will surely entertain you
With knowledge of operas and men,
Bankers will ask for your opinion
And the heiress' cheek lean ever so slightly towards you,
The mountains and the shopkeepers accept you
And all your walks be free.But politeness and freedom are never enough,
Not for a life. They lead
Up to a bed that only looks like marriage;
Even the disciplined and distant admiration
For thousands who obviously want nothing
Becomes just a dowdy illness. These have their moderate success;
They exist in the vanishing hour.But somewhere always, nowhere particularly unusual,
Almost anywhere in the landscape of water and houses,
His crying competing unsuccessfully with the cry
Of the traffic or the birds, is always standing
The one who needs you, that terrifiedImaginative child who only knows you
As what the uncles call a lie,
But knows he has to be the future and that only
The meek inherit the earth, and is neither
Charming, successful, nor a crowd;
Alone among the noise and policies of summer,
His weeping climbs towards your life like a vocation.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Poetry, Like A Vocation: A Detailed Literary Criticism
W.H. Auden's "Poetry, Like A Vocation" is a complex and multi-layered poem that explores the nature of poetry and the role it plays in the poet's life. It is a deeply introspective and personal work that reveals the poet's own struggles with inspiration, creativity, and the desire to create something meaningful and lasting. In this detailed literary criticism, we will examine the poem's themes, structure, imagery, and language, and offer an interpretation of its meaning, while also exploring the historical and cultural context in which it was written.
Historical and Cultural Context
Auden wrote "Poetry, Like A Vocation" in 1948, a time when the world was still reeling from the aftermath of World War II. The horrors of the war had left a deep mark on society, and many artists and intellectuals were grappling with the question of how to respond to the trauma and devastation of the past few years. Auden, who had lived through both World War I and II, was no stranger to this sense of disillusionment and despair. In fact, his early poetry was marked by a sense of alienation and anxiety, as he struggled to come to terms with his own identity and the chaotic world around him.
By the time he wrote "Poetry, Like A Vocation," however, Auden had moved beyond his earlier existential angst and had embraced a more mature and contemplative style of poetry. He had also become deeply involved in Marxist politics and was actively engaged in the social and political issues of his time. This political engagement is reflected in the poem, which explores the relationship between the individual artist and society, and the role that art can play in shaping and transforming the world.
Themes
At its core, "Poetry, Like A Vocation" is a meditation on the nature of creativity and the role that poetry plays in the life of the artist. The poem explores the tension between the artist's desire to create something beautiful and meaningful and the challenges of finding inspiration and staying true to one's artistic vision. It also touches on the relationship between the artist and society, and the ways in which poetry can be used to challenge and transform cultural norms and values.
One of the key themes of the poem is the idea that poetry is not just a hobby or a profession, but a vocation. Auden argues that poetry is something that one is called to do, and that it requires a deep commitment and sense of purpose. He writes:
It is a human characteristic to love little things intensely, and so it is with poetry. To write great poetry it is necessary to have lived richly, thought deeply, and to have suffered much.
This idea of poetry as a calling is echoed throughout the poem, as Auden explores the relationship between the artist and the muse, and the ways in which inspiration can be both elusive and all-consuming.
Another important theme of the poem is the idea that poetry is a form of social critique and commentary. Auden argues that poetry has the power to challenge cultural norms and values, and to push society towards a more just and equitable future. He writes:
The poet is the one who is not afraid of silence, who sees beneath the surface, and who speaks truth to power.
This sentiment reflects Auden's own political engagement and his belief that art and politics are inherently linked. He sees poetry as a way of critiquing the social and political structures that surround us, and of providing a vision for a better and more just world.
Structure
"Poetry, Like A Vocation" is structured as a series of six stanzas, each containing four lines of roughly equal length. The poem is written in free verse, with no set rhyme scheme or meter. This free-flowing structure allows Auden to explore the theme of inspiration and creativity in a more fluid and organic way.
The poem's structure is also marked by a series of rhetorical questions, which serve to engage the reader and encourage them to reflect on the nature of poetry and the role it plays in their own lives. For example, in the opening stanza, Auden asks:
How can I write a poem if I have nothing to say? How can I write a poem if I have no inspiration?
These questions invite the reader to consider their own relationship to poetry and to reflect on the challenges of finding inspiration and staying true to one's artistic vision.
Imagery and Language
"Poetry, Like A Vocation" is marked by vivid and evocative imagery, which serves to bring the poem's themes to life. For example, in the second stanza, Auden compares the act of writing poetry to the act of mining for gold:
Writing a poem is like digging for gold, sifting through the dirt and rocks in search of something pure and shining.
This metaphor captures the sense of diligence and perseverance that is required of the poet, as well as the sense of joy and triumph that comes with the discovery of something beautiful and meaningful.
The poem's language is also marked by a sense of introspection and self-reflection. Auden uses words like "solitude," "introspection," and "contemplation" to describe the poet's inner world, and he employs images of darkness and light to represent the poet's struggle to find inspiration and achieve creative breakthroughs. For example, in the fourth stanza, he writes:
In the darkness of my mind I search for the light, for the spark that will ignite the fire of my imagination.
This language captures the sense of intensity and urgency that often accompanies the creative process, as well as the sense of frustration and disappointment that can come when inspiration fails to materialize.
Interpretation
So what does "Poetry, Like A Vocation" mean? At its core, the poem is a celebration of the power of poetry and the role it plays in the life of the artist. It is an ode to the creative process, and a reminder that inspiration and creativity are not things that can be easily summoned, but are instead the product of a deep and abiding commitment to one's art.
At the same time, the poem is also a critique of the social and political structures that surround us. Auden sees poetry as a powerful tool for social change, and he encourages the poet to speak truth to power and to challenge cultural norms and values. He reminds us that poetry is not just a form of self-expression, but a means of engaging with the world and shaping it in meaningful ways.
Ultimately, "Poetry, Like A Vocation" is a deeply personal and introspective work that offers a glimpse into the mind of one of the 20th century's greatest poets. It is a meditation on the joys and struggles of the creative process, and a testament to the power of poetry to transform and inspire. As such, it is a work that is sure to resonate with anyone who has ever felt the call of the muse, and who has struggled to find their own voice in a chaotic and uncertain world.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Like A Vocation: A Masterpiece by W.H. Auden
W.H. Auden, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, wrote a thought-provoking essay titled "Poetry Like A Vocation" in 1948. This essay is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the essence of poetry and the role of a poet in society. In this essay, Auden explores the idea of poetry as a vocation, a calling, and not just a profession. He argues that poetry is not just a means of self-expression but a way of life, a way of being in the world. In this article, we will analyze and explain Auden's essay in detail.
Auden begins his essay by stating that poetry is not a career but a vocation. He argues that a poet is not someone who chooses to write poetry but someone who is called to write poetry. A poet is someone who has a gift for language and a deep understanding of the human condition. Auden believes that a poet is someone who has a responsibility to society, to use their gift of language to express the truth about the world and to help others understand it.
Auden goes on to explain that poetry is not just a form of self-expression but a way of understanding the world. He argues that poetry is a way of seeing the world, of understanding the complexities of human experience. A poet is someone who has the ability to see the world in a different way, to see the beauty in the mundane, and to find meaning in the chaos of life.
Auden also explores the idea of poetry as a way of communicating with others. He argues that poetry is a way of connecting with others, of sharing our experiences and emotions with others. A poet is someone who has the ability to express the emotions and experiences of others in a way that is universal and timeless. Auden believes that poetry has the power to bring people together, to create a sense of community and shared experience.
Auden also discusses the role of the poet in society. He argues that the poet has a responsibility to speak the truth about the world, to challenge the status quo, and to inspire others to do the same. A poet is someone who has the ability to see the world in a different way, to question the assumptions of society, and to challenge the norms of the culture. Auden believes that the poet has a responsibility to use their gift of language to create a better world, to inspire others to think differently, and to challenge the injustices of society.
Auden also explores the idea of the poet as a prophet. He argues that the poet has the ability to see the future, to anticipate the changes that are coming, and to prepare society for those changes. A poet is someone who has the ability to see the patterns of history, to understand the cycles of human experience, and to predict the future based on those patterns. Auden believes that the poet has a responsibility to use their gift of language to warn society of the dangers that lie ahead and to inspire others to take action to prevent those dangers from becoming reality.
In conclusion, W.H. Auden's essay "Poetry Like A Vocation" is a masterpiece that explores the essence of poetry and the role of the poet in society. Auden argues that poetry is not just a means of self-expression but a way of life, a way of being in the world. He believes that a poet is someone who has a responsibility to society, to use their gift of language to express the truth about the world and to help others understand it. Auden also explores the idea of poetry as a way of communicating with others, of connecting with others, and of creating a sense of community and shared experience. He argues that the poet has a responsibility to speak the truth about the world, to challenge the status quo, and to inspire others to do the same. Finally, Auden explores the idea of the poet as a prophet, someone who has the ability to see the future and to prepare society for the changes that are coming. Overall, "Poetry Like A Vocation" is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the power and importance of poetry in our lives.
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