3. W.H. Auden: "In Memory of W.B. Yeats"
Two-mark Questions and Answers:
1. Q: Who is the author
of "In Memory of W.B. Yeats"?
A: The author is W.H. Auden.
2. Q: When was this poem
written?
A: The poem was written in 1939.
3. Q: Who is the subject
of this elegy?
A: The subject is the Irish poet W.B. Yeats.
4. Q: How many sections
does the poem have?
A: The poem has three distinct sections.
5. Q: What season is
mentioned in the poem's opening lines?
A: The poem opens in winter.
6. Q: What city is
mentioned in the first section?
A: The poem mentions the city of Vienna.
7. Q: What does Auden
say happens to a poet's words after death?
A: Auden says a poet's words are
"modified in the guts of the living".
8. Q: What political
ideology does Auden criticize Yeats for supporting?
A: Auden criticizes Yeats for his support of
fascism.
9. Q: What does Auden
say poetry "makes happen"?
A: Auden says "poetry makes nothing
happen".
10. Q: What natural
feature does Auden use as a metaphor for poetic inspiration?
A: Auden uses a "healing
fountain" as a metaphor for poetic inspiration.
Five-mark Questions and
Answers:
1. Q: Analyze the
structure of "In Memory of W.B. Yeats" and how it contributes to the
poem's meaning.
A: "In Memory of W.B. Yeats" is
structured in three distinct sections, each with its own form and focus. This
structure is integral to the poem's exploration of Yeats' death and the nature
of poetry. The first section, written in free verse, deals with the immediate
fact of Yeats' death, situating it in a cold, indifferent world. The second
section, in a more regular meter, reflects on Yeats' life and work, including
criticism of his political views. The final section, written in a tight,
rhyming form reminiscent of Yeats' own style, considers the enduring power of
poetry. This progression from the personal and immediate to the universal and
eternal mirrors the poem's thematic movement. The shift in form across sections
also reflects the changing tone and focus, from the prosaic reality of death to
the more elevated consideration of poetic legacy. The structure thus allows
Auden to approach his subject from multiple angles, creating a complex and
nuanced elegy that is both a personal tribute and a meditation on poetry
itself.
2. Q: Discuss Auden's
portrayal of the relationship between poetry and the world in this poem.
A: Auden's portrayal of the relationship
between poetry and the world in "In Memory of W.B. Yeats" is complex
and somewhat paradoxical. On one hand, he presents poetry as seemingly
ineffectual in the face of global events, famously stating that "poetry makes
nothing happen". This line suggests a disconnect between the poetic realm
and the world of politics and social change. Auden portrays a world that is
indifferent to both the poet's death and his art, where "wolves ran on
through the evergreen forests" regardless of Yeats' passing. However,
Auden also affirms the enduring power of poetry, describing it as a "way
of happening, a mouth". He suggests that while poetry may not directly
change the world, it survives and continues to speak, outlasting both its creator
and the tyrannies it witnesses. The poem itself, as an act of remembrance and
continuation of poetic tradition, embodies this dual nature of poetry as both
separate from and intrinsically part of the world. Ultimately, Auden seems to
argue for a view of poetry that acknowledges its limitations in effecting
immediate change while still valuing its capacity to preserve, inspire, and
articulate human experience across time.
3. Q: Explain the
significance of the changing tone and style across the three sections of the
poem.
A: The changing tone and style across the
three sections of "In Memory of W.B. Yeats" are crucial to the poem's
overall effect and meaning. The first section, with its matter-of-fact tone and
free verse form, reflects the mundane reality of death. Its detached, almost
journalistic style underscores the world's indifference to the passing of even
a great poet. The second section shifts to a more personal and critical tone.
Written in a looser version of rhyming quatrains, it allows Auden to reflect on
Yeats' life and work, including pointed criticism of his political views. This
section's more regular rhythm mirrors the process of evaluating and ordering
Yeats' legacy. The final section marks another significant shift, adopting a
more lyrical and formal style reminiscent of Yeats' own poetry. Its tone
becomes more celebratory and universal, moving from criticism to affirmation of
poetry's enduring power. This progression from prosaic reality through critical
assessment to poetic celebration mirrors the process of grief and
commemoration. It also reflects Auden's complex view of poetry itself,
acknowledging both its limitations in the face of worldly events and its
capacity to transcend them.
4. Q: Analyze Auden's
critique of Yeats in the poem and its implications.
A: Auden's critique of Yeats in "In
Memory of W.B. Yeats" is notable for its frankness and complexity. While
the poem is fundamentally a tribute, Auden doesn't shy away from criticizing
aspects of Yeats' life and work. He directly addresses Yeats' controversial
political views, referring to his "silly" utterances and
"curse" on the Irish people, likely alluding to Yeats' flirtation
with fascism and his sometimes elitist attitudes. However, Auden also separates
the poet from the poetry, suggesting that Yeats' art transcends his personal
failings. The line "You were silly like us" both criticizes and
humanizes Yeats, placing him in the company of all flawed humans. This critique
serves several purposes: it adds depth and honesty to the elegy, avoiding
simple hagiography; it engages with the complex relationship between an
artist's life and work; and it reflects Auden's own views on the role of poetry
and the poet in society. By acknowledging Yeats' flaws while still celebrating
his poetic achievement, Auden presents a nuanced view of artistic legacy,
suggesting that great art can emerge from imperfect individuals and that it
ultimately stands apart from its creator's personal beliefs or failings.
5. Q: Discuss the theme
of time and permanence in "In Memory of W.B. Yeats".
A: The theme of time and permanence is
central to "In Memory of W.B. Yeats", explored through the contrast
between the transience of human life and the enduring nature of poetry. The
poem opens with the stark reality of death, situating Yeats' passing in a
specific time and place. This emphasizes the poet's mortality and the world's
indifference to individual deaths. However, as the poem progresses, Auden
begins to explore how poetry transcends its creator's death. He describes how
Yeats' words will be "modified in the guts of the living", suggesting
that poetry continues to evolve and impact readers long after the poet's death.
The final section of the poem is particularly focused on poetry's ability to
persist through time. Auden describes poetry as that which "survives, / A
way of happening, a mouth", portraying it as a living, ongoing process
rather than a static artifact. The image of poetry as a "healing
fountain" and a "farming of a verse" suggests its regenerative
and nurturing qualities across time. By ending with an imperative to poetry
itself - "persuade us to rejoice" - Auden affirms poetry's continued
relevance and power. Thus, while acknowledging the inevitability of death and
change, the poem ultimately argues for the permanence of poetic expression,
presenting it as a form of immortality that outlasts both the poet and the
world they inhabited.
Essay Question:
Analyze W.H. Auden's
"In Memory of W.B. Yeats" as both an elegy for a fellow poet and a
meditation on the nature and function of poetry. How does Auden use the
occasion of Yeats' death to explore broader themes about art, time, and the
poet's role in society? Consider the poem's structure, its treatment of Yeats
as a person and a poet, and its assertions about poetry's power and
limitations.
Introduction:
W.H. Auden's "In
Memory of W.B. Yeats" stands as a remarkable example of the modern elegy,
commemorating the death of W.B. Yeats while simultaneously engaging in a
profound meditation on the nature and function of poetry itself. Written in
1939, the poem not only pays tribute to one of the most significant poets of
the early 20th century but also uses this occasion to explore broader themes
about art, time, and the role of the poet in society. This essay will examine
how Auden achieves this dual purpose, analyzing the poem's structure, its
treatment of Yeats, and its complex assertions about poetry's power and
limitations.
Structure and Form:
The poem's tripartite
structure is crucial to its exploration of Yeats' death and the nature of
poetry. Each section employs a different form and focus, creating a
multi-faceted approach to the subject:
1. The first section,
written in free verse, deals with the immediate fact of Yeats' death. Its prosaic
style and focus on mundane details ("The provinces of his body
revolted") reflect the stark reality of mortality.
2. The second section,
employing a looser version of rhyming quatrains, reflects on Yeats' life and
work. This more structured form allows for a considered evaluation of Yeats'
legacy.
3. The final section,
written in a tight, rhyming form reminiscent of Yeats' own style, considers the
enduring power of poetry. This shift to a more lyrical mode embodies the poem's
movement from personal loss to universal significance.
This progression from
the personal and immediate to the universal and eternal mirrors the poem's
thematic movement, reflecting the process of grief, evaluation, and ultimately,
celebration.
Treatment of Yeats:
Auden's portrayal of
Yeats is notable for its complexity and honesty. While the poem is
fundamentally a tribute, it doesn't shy away from criticism:
1. Personal Mortality:
The first section emphasizes Yeats' human frailty, situating his death in a
cold, indifferent world where "wolves ran on through the evergreen
forests".
2. Critical Evaluation:
In the second section, Auden directly addresses Yeats' controversial political
views, referring to his "silly" utterances. This frank assessment
adds depth to the elegy, avoiding simple hagiography.
3. Poetic Legacy:
Despite this criticism, Auden ultimately affirms the enduring power of Yeats'
poetry, separating the art from the artist. The line "You were silly like
us" both criticizes and humanizes Yeats, placing him in the company of all
flawed humans.
This nuanced treatment
allows Auden to engage with the complex relationship between an artist's life
and work, suggesting that great art can emerge from imperfect individuals and
ultimately transcends its creator's personal failings.
Poetry's Power and
Limitations:
Throughout the poem,
Auden grapples with the nature and function of poetry, offering a complex view
of its power and limitations:
1. Inefficacy in the
World: Auden famously states that "poetry makes nothing happen",
suggesting a disconnect between the poetic realm and the world of politics and
social change. This line acknowledges poetry's limitations in effecting
immediate, tangible change in the world.
2. Enduring Influence:
However, Auden also affirms poetry's lasting power, describing it as "a
way of happening, a mouth". This suggests that while poetry may not
directly change the world, it survives and continues to speak, outlasting both
its creator and the tyrannies it witnesses.
3. Transformative
Potential: The image of poetry as a "healing fountain" implies its
capacity for renewal and regeneration, both for individuals and culture at
large.
4. Living Legacy:
Auden's assertion that a poet's words are "modified in the guts of the
living" suggests that poetry continues to evolve and impact readers long
after the poet's death.
This portrayal presents
poetry as a complex force: seemingly ineffectual in the face of world events,
yet powerful in its ability to articulate, preserve, and transmit human
experience across time.
Time and Permanence:
The theme of time and
permanence runs throughout the poem, explored through the contrast between
human mortality and the enduring nature of art:
1. Transience of Life:
The poem opens with the stark reality of death, emphasizing the poet's
mortality and the world's indifference to individual lives.
2. Permanence of Art: As
the poem progresses, it explores how poetry transcends its creator's death,
continuing to impact and evolve through its readers.
3. Poetry as Immortality:
The final section presents poetry as a form of immortality, a "way of
happening" that survives beyond the poet and the world they inhabited.
This treatment of time
reflects Auden's view of poetry as something that exists beyond its immediate
context, capable of speaking to readers across generations.
The Poet's Role in
Society:
Through his elegy for
Yeats, Auden also reflects on the broader role of the poet in society:
1. Witness and Critic:
The poem suggests that poets serve as witnesses to their times, even if they
cannot directly change world events.
2. Preserver of
Language: Auden presents poets as custodians of language, keeping it
"alive" and "free" even in dark times.
3. Voice of Human
Experience: The enduring nature of poetry implies that poets articulate
universal aspects of human experience that remain relevant across time and
culture.
4. Flawed Human: By
acknowledging Yeats' failings, Auden presents a view of the poet as a flawed
human being, capable of greatness in art despite personal or ideological
shortcomings.
Conclusion:
W.H. Auden's "In
Memory of W.B. Yeats" is a masterful work that transcends the boundaries
of the traditional elegy. Through its innovative structure, nuanced treatment
of its subject, and profound reflections on the nature of poetry, the poem
offers a complex meditation on art, time, and the human experience.
Auden uses the occasion
of Yeats' death not just to commemorate a fellow poet, but to engage with
fundamental questions about the role and power of poetry in the world. The poem
acknowledges the limitations of art in the face of global events and human
mortality, yet ultimately affirms its enduring significance. By presenting
poetry as something that survives and evolves beyond its creator, Auden
suggests a form of immortality achieved through art.
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