Analysis and comments on In Memory Of W.B. Yeats by W. H. Auden
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Comment 6 of 6, added on April 2nd, 2006 at 9:00 PM.
You guys are all so amateur. You have no idea what this poem is even about. First of all it's an elegy written in memory of W.B. Yeats. To be consistent with the ideal elegiac poem, Auden has given his poem a dark and somber tone. He reinforces this attitude with references to WWII, which was just starting around the time Auden wrote this poem. In the Second portion of his poem, he is using an apostrophe, directly addressing Yeats, and stating that "poetry is a way of expressing sadness and suffering," In his last part of the poem, he has changed his writing style to imitate that of Yeats (which is hardly a critique) and in the last stanza speaks of healing and comfort, acceptance if you will.
Leah from Canada
Comment 5 of 6, added on September 19th, 2005 at 2:01 AM.
this poem is super confusing in the way it is introduced and described.
kiiim from Australia
Comment 4 of 6, added on April 27th, 2005 at 8:12 PM.
This poem is very flattering to Yeats, and anyone that understands Yeats' poetry can clearly see that Auden has (by referring to Yeats in present tense) given Yeats credit for living beyond the grave "out of [his] body" and no longer in a "natural form" ("Sailing to Byzantium"). Auden's tone comments on the Modern Condition--not Yeats' poetry. Leslie is a novice.
Norris
Comment 3 of 6, added on December 7th, 2004 at 6:20 PM.
This poem is not overly flattering, it is more a commentary on how Yeats will be perceived after his death. What is interesting is that Auden was at times quite critical of Yeats. Refer to "The Table Talk of W.H. Auden," by Alan Ansen, where he calls Yeats a Fascist and though Auden recognises Yeats's talent, he is not personally a fan. "I have to give a talk on Yeats before the MLA in Detroit. You know the more I read him, the less I like him . . . No, I couldn't launch an open attack on him. This is supposed to be some kind of celebration, after all. I wouldn't mind his crazy mythology if he took it more seriously. And all right, I wouldn't mind it's being a hoax if he tipped us a wink at the end." Auden could possibly refer to his critics accusing Yeats of constantly changing his politics. His politics are important because Yeats was an Irish Nationalist, during the Great War. Auden refers to his critique of Yeats in the poem, "Let the Irish vessel lie/ Emptied of its poetry." It is interesting how Auden reconcils his opinions of Yeats in this poem. Having said this, I of course see Yeats talent, but I also see his and Auden's challenges when it comes to inspiring social change in politics through their poems.
Leslie from United States
Comment 2 of 6, added on November 12th, 2004 at 5:58 PM.
This poem is awesome. It's like his final goodbye to Yeats. It has become time to let him go and this poem is his way of doing that. Auden is the best poet I have seen in my poetry class.
Laura from United States
Comment 1 of 6, added on November 10th, 2004 at 10:48 AM.
I had to do a research paper on this poem and I love the way he words things, it shows the way he really feels about Yeats.
Jessica from United States
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You guys are all so amateur. You have no idea what this poem is even about. First of all it's an elegy written in memory of W.B. Yeats. To be consistent with the ideal elegiac poem, Auden has given his poem a dark and somber tone. He reinforces this attitude with references to WWII, which was just starting around the time Auden wrote this poem. In the Second portion of his poem, he is using an apostrophe, directly addressing Yeats, and stating that "poetry is a way of expressing sadness and suffering," In his last part of the poem, he has changed his writing style to imitate that of Yeats (which is hardly a critique) and in the last stanza speaks of healing and comfort, acceptance if you will.
Leah from Canada