W.H.Auden Worksheet
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This blog is written as a part of Worksheets of W.H. Auden. In this blog questions of worksheet will be answered with the help of ChatGPT to understand.
Background Reading : Teacher's Blog
W.H. Auden, also known as Wystan Hugh Auden, was a renowned English poet and writer born on February 21, 1907, in York, Yorkshire. He gained prominence during the 1930s for his support of left-wing ideas and his collaboration with Christopher Isherwood on writing plays in verse. Auden later moved to the United States in 1939, where he continued to make significant contributions to literature until his death on September 29, 1973, in Vienna, Austria.
Worksheet: 1
Worksheet: 2
Worksheet: 3
Response to Worksheet 1:
Essay on the poem "September 1, 1939"
Title: "Uncertainty in 1939: Auden's Perspective"
W.H. Auden's poem "September 1st, 1939" shows how the poet felt about the troubled times he lived in. He talks about feeling unsure and scared while sitting in a bar on Fifty-second Street. He mentions that this time was full of broken hopes during what he calls a "dishonest decade."
One big idea in the poem is how disappointed the speaker is with society and politics. He feels let down by the dishonesty and corruption he sees around him. This feeling comes through in lines like "As the clever hopes expire" and "Waves of anger and fear Circulate over the bright And darkened lands of the earth." These lines really show how uncertain and let down people felt during that time.
The language in the poem is full of pictures that show the speaker's feelings and what he sees around him. Auden uses words like "clever hopes" to talk about hopes that don't come true and "waves of anger and fear" to show how people were feeling all around the world. He also talks about both bright and dark lands to show the mix of hope and despair.
The poem doesn't have a regular structure. It has nine parts with different lengths for each line. This makes it feel a bit messy and adds to the feeling of chaos and uncertainty that the speaker is dealing with. The way the sentences flow into each other without stopping also gives a sense of urgency and confusion.
The poem was written just after World War II started. This was a time of a lot of problems and fear all over the world. The poem shows how people were disappointed with the way things were going and how scared they were of the war and its effects. The mention of "The unmentionable odor of death" adds to the serious and grim mood of the time.
In short, W.H. Auden's poem "September 1st, 1939" talks about how worried and let down people felt during a tough time in history. The language and pictures in the poem show the speaker's feelings and the chaos of the time. It's a reminder of how hard things can be during times of war and uncertainty.
Response to Worksheet 2:
1. Where does the poem "September 1, 1939" take place?
The poem unfolds in a dive on Fifty-second Street, New York City.
2. What is the prevailing mood of the poem?
The mood of the poem is characterized by uncertainty, fear, disillusionment, and introspection.
3.What is the significance of September 1, 1939, in the poem?
September 1,1939, is the date when Germany invaded Poland, which marked the beginning of World War II.
4. What is the theme of the poem?
- Disillusionment with society and politics
- Uncertainty and fear during troubled times
- Dishonesty and corruption in society
- Impact of war on humanity and the world
- Mixed emotions of hope and despair
5. What is the role of history in the poem?
History in "September 1st, 1939" contextualizes the speaker's disillusionment and fear amid World War II's onset. It shapes themes of societal decay, corruption, and war's impact, setting a somber tone that reflects on the complexities of human experience during historical turmoil.
6. Explain the line "We must love one another or die."
The line "We must love one another or die" underscores the vital need for human connection and empathy amidst turmoil. It implies that without fostering love and compassion, humanity risks succumbing to its own destructive tendencies, emphasizing the power of empathy to counteract conflict and violence.
7. What is the significance of the "Ironic points of light" in the poem
The "Ironic points of light" in the poem symbolize moments of hope and solidarity amidst darkness and confusion. They represent individuals who stand for justice and fairness, offering a glimpse of a better future. The speaker admires these figures and aims to emulate their courage and hope, highlighting the resilience and potential for positivity even in difficult times.
8. Write explanation on any one stanza of the poem. The poem is linked in the teacher’s blog.
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.
explanation by ChatGpt
The excerpt from Auden's "September 1, 1939" depicts the uncertainty and fear of a tumultuous era, marked by moral decay, political turmoil, and impending doom. The imagery of a dive bar, waves of anger and fear, and the odor of death symbolize the dark atmosphere of the time.
Reference
Barad, Dilip. "W.H. Auden Poems." Dilip Barad | Teacher's Blog, 22 May 2021,
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