'Who's Who' by W.H. Auden
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A shilling life will give you all the facts:
How Father beat him, how he ran away,
What were the struggles of his youth, what acts
Made him the greatest figure of his day;
Of how he fought, fished, hunted, worked all night,
Though giddy, climbed new mountains; named a sea;
Some of the last researchers even write
Love made him weep his pints like you and me.With all his honours on, he sighed for one
Who, say astonished critics, lived at home;
Did little jobs about the house with skill
And nothing else; could whistle; would sit still
Or potter round the garden; answered some
Of his long marvellous letters but kept none.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Who's Who by W.H. Auden: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
"Oh, the places you'll go!" - Dr. Seuss
As I started reading W.H. Auden's poem "Who's Who," I couldn't help but think of Dr. Seuss's famous quote. Because truly, with every line, every word, Auden takes us on a journey - a journey of self-discovery, of societal critique, of introspection, and of contemplation.
Auden, a prolific poet of the 20th century, is known for his unique style of integrating political and social themes into his poetry. "Who's Who" is no exception. In this poem, Auden takes on the superficiality and the pretensions of high society, and the delusions of those who aspire to be a part of it.
Form and Structure
Before we dive into the poem's meaning and interpretation, let's take a moment to appreciate its form and structure. "Who's Who" is a free verse poem, with no strict rhyme or meter. Instead, Auden plays with line breaks and enjambments to create a flow that reads almost like natural speech.
Through the poem, Auden uses a series of rhetorical questions that challenge the reader's assumptions and expectations. This technique creates a sense of urgency and immediacy, as if Auden is asking the reader to pay attention and to think critically.
The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with a distinct tone and theme. The first stanza sets the scene and introduces the idea of the "Who's Who" - a list of important people in society that everyone wants to be a part of. The second stanza takes a critical look at the people who make it onto the list, questioning their motives and their worth. The third and final stanza is a call to action, urging the reader to reject the superficiality of the "Who's Who" and to focus on what really matters.
Meaning and Interpretation
Now, let's dive into the meat of the poem - the message that Auden is trying to convey. At its core, "Who's Who" is a critique of the artificiality and the superficiality of high society, and the delusions of those who aspire to be a part of it.
In the first stanza, Auden sets the scene by describing the "Who's Who" as a coveted list of important people in society. He asks the reader to imagine being a part of this list, to imagine the power and influence that comes with being one of the chosen few. But then, he quickly turns the tables:
Are your first cousins once removed In the Peerage? Are you fond Of quoting 'What's Left of Theory'? Have you been persecuted or published?
By asking these questions, Auden challenges the reader's assumptions about what it means to be important. He suggests that it's not enough to simply be born into the right family or to have a prestigious job. Instead, he asks if the reader has actually done something worthwhile, if they've contributed to society in a meaningful way. This sets the stage for the rest of the poem, which takes a critical look at the people who make it onto the "Who's Who" list.
In the second stanza, Auden takes a closer look at the people who are on the list, and he doesn't like what he sees. He asks if they are "wearing out their shoes for Christ's sake," suggesting that they are more concerned with their own status and prestige than with actually doing good in the world. He also questions their morality, asking if they have "kept their word and betrayed no trust."
But perhaps the most cutting critique comes in the final lines of the stanza:
Or the victims of envy and spite, Stupid, unloving, envious, vain, Closed to most things, but not to the crude Persuasion of cash and influence.
Here, Auden suggests that the people on the "Who's Who" list are not just superficial or misguided - they are actively harmful. He paints them as petty, jealous, and vain, and suggests that they are only interested in money and power. This is a scathing critique that leaves little room for sympathy or understanding.
Finally, in the third stanza, Auden turns his attention to the reader. He urges them to reject the superficiality of the "Who's Who" and to focus on what really matters - "the human race of the Just." He suggests that true importance comes from living a life that is meaningful and just, and that the pursuit of fame and power is ultimately empty and futile.
And the wind shall say: "Here were decent godless people: Their only monument the asphalt road And a thousand lost golf balls."
This final image is both haunting and hopeful. Auden suggests that true greatness comes not from being on a list or having a statue erected in one's honor, but from living a life that is just and decent, even if it goes unnoticed by the world. The lost golf balls, scattered and forgotten, become a symbol of the futility of the pursuit of fame and power, and the importance of focusing on what really matters.
Conclusion
In "Who's Who," W.H. Auden offers a scathing critique of the superficiality and pretensions of high society, and the delusions of those who aspire to be a part of it. Through the use of rhetorical questions and a free verse form, he challenges the reader to think critically about what it means to be important, and to reject the pursuit of fame and power in favor of a life that is just and meaningful.
As I finished reading the poem, I couldn't help but feel a sense of urgency and inspiration. Auden's words are a call to action, urging us to reject the superficiality of the world around us and to focus on what really matters. It's a message that is as relevant today as it was when the poem was first written, and one that we would all do well to take to heart.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Who's Who: A Masterpiece by W.H. Auden
Poetry is an art form that has been around for centuries, and it has been used to express a wide range of emotions and ideas. One of the most famous poets of the 20th century was W.H. Auden, who wrote a poem called "Poetry Who's Who." This poem is a masterpiece that captures the essence of poetry and the poets who create it.
The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which describes a different type of poet. The first stanza is about the "pure poet," who is someone who writes poetry for the sake of poetry. This type of poet is not concerned with fame or fortune, but rather with the beauty and power of language. Auden describes the pure poet as someone who "lives in a glass house" and "throws stones at himself and his art." This means that the pure poet is his own harshest critic and is always striving to improve his craft.
The second stanza is about the "political poet," who is someone who uses poetry to express political ideas and beliefs. This type of poet is often seen as controversial because he or she is not afraid to speak out against the status quo. Auden describes the political poet as someone who "lives in a dark cave" and "throws stones at the world." This means that the political poet is not afraid to challenge the established order and is willing to take risks to make a difference.
The third and final stanza is about the "confessional poet," who is someone who uses poetry to explore his or her own personal experiences and emotions. This type of poet is often seen as vulnerable because he or she is willing to expose his or her innermost thoughts and feelings. Auden describes the confessional poet as someone who "lives in a glass house" and "throws stones at himself." This means that the confessional poet is not afraid to confront his or her own demons and is willing to share his or her struggles with the world.
Throughout the poem, Auden uses vivid imagery and metaphors to convey his ideas about poetry and the poets who create it. For example, he describes the pure poet as someone who "lives in a glass house" and "throws stones at himself and his art." This metaphor suggests that the pure poet is constantly examining himself and his work, and is always striving to improve. Similarly, he describes the political poet as someone who "lives in a dark cave" and "throws stones at the world." This metaphor suggests that the political poet is not afraid to challenge the established order and is willing to take risks to make a difference.
Auden's use of metaphors and imagery is not only effective in conveying his ideas, but it also adds to the overall beauty and power of the poem. The poem is written in a simple, yet elegant style that is easy to understand, yet also deeply moving. The use of repetition, such as the repeated phrase "throws stones," adds to the poem's rhythm and creates a sense of urgency and passion.
In addition to its literary qualities, "Poetry Who's Who" is also a reflection of the cultural and political climate of the time in which it was written. The poem was written in the 1930s, a time of great social and political upheaval. The rise of fascism in Europe and the Great Depression in the United States had a profound impact on the world, and many poets felt compelled to use their art to address these issues.
Auden himself was deeply involved in the political and social issues of his time, and his poetry reflects this. He was a socialist and a pacifist, and his poetry often dealt with themes of social justice and the struggle for human rights. "Poetry Who's Who" can be seen as a reflection of Auden's own beliefs and values, as well as a commentary on the role of poetry in society.
In conclusion, "Poetry Who's Who" is a masterpiece of modern poetry that captures the essence of poetry and the poets who create it. Through its vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and elegant style, the poem conveys Auden's ideas about the pure poet, the political poet, and the confessional poet. It is also a reflection of the cultural and political climate of the time in which it was written, and a testament to the power of poetry to address social and political issues.
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