Comments and analysis on Petition - A poem by W. H. Auden - Poetry Connection

Poetry Connection Home


Poem of the Day \| Top 30 \| Poets \| Shopping \| Forums \| Search \| Comments Today, on November 20th, 2009, the site contains 196 poets, 8,692 poems and 7,650 comments.

Analysis and comments on Petition by W. H. Auden
Comment 3 of 3, added on October 21st, 2005 at 4:29 AM. God is humane, but God is God after all! Hence,"Sir".By "distortions of ingrown virginity",is Auden hinting at social taboos or at inner purity? Maybe both;maybe none.But he certainly is not happy with man's ways and prefers his heart to change. Manika Upadhyay from India Comment 2 of 3, added on January 22nd, 2005 at 5:09 AM. Although I am not familiar with past criticism of this poem, it reads as an updated version of the Lord's Prayer replete with Auden's lack of faith in the modern world to provide for the needs of human beings. I take "Sir" to be God, and the narrator to be asking God to remain distant but to help with everyday miseries. He seems to be asking for aid for all humans with small things and for God's appreciation of the simple things like architecture and kind changes of heart that make us human. Perhaps others have more to offer on this. zahra from Iran Comment 1 of 3, added on November 30th, 2004 at 8:37 PM. Although I am not familiar with past criticism of this poem, it reads as an updated version of the Lord's Prayer replete with Auden's lack of faith in the modern world to provide for the needs of human beings. I take "Sir" to be God, and the narrator to be asking God to remain distant but to help with everyday miseries. He seems to be asking for aid for all humans with small things and for God's appreciation of the simple things like architecture and kind changes of heart that make us human. Perhaps others have more to offer on this. Ed from United States

Information about Petition
Poet: W. H. Auden Poem: Petition Added: Feb 20 2003 Viewed: 4353 times Poem of the Day: Apr 24 2003

Add Comment
Do you have any comments, criticism, paraphrasis or analysis of this poem that you feel would assist other visitors in understanding this poem better? If they are accepted, they will be added to this page of Poetry Connection. Together we can build a wealth of information, but it will take some discipline and determination. Do not post questions, pleas for homework help or anything of the sort, as these types of comments will be removed. The proper place for questions is the poetry forum. Also, please do not post any links what so ever. Please note that after you post a comment, it can take up to an hour before it is visible on the website! Rest assured that your comment is not lost, so don't enter your comment again.

Comment on: Petition
By: W. H. Auden

Name: (required)	E-mail Address: (required)
Country:	Show E-mail Address: Yes No
Subject:
Poem Comments:

Poem Info
Petition Last read: Nov 19 2009, 8:13PM Poem of the Day: Apr 24 2003 Viewed 4353 times. Added: Feb 20 2003

Auden Info
Biography More Poems (75 poems) Books

Copyright © 2003-2009 Gunnar Bengtsson, Poetry Connection. All Rights Reserved.
Turkey Hunting | Chicago Travel Site | American Idol Videos | Mesothelioma Asbestosis Cancer