Concetti Chiave
- Auden, born in 1907 in York, became a key figure among the "Oxford poets" at Oxford University, aiming to continue the artistic revolution of Eliot and Joyce.
- His move to New York in 1939 was influenced by his concerns over his homosexuality, which was criminalized in England; he later became an American citizen.
- In England, Freud and Marx significantly influenced Auden, leading him to believe poetry should narrate individual experiences open to interpretation.
- In America, Auden distanced himself from singular poetic identities, focusing on personal transformation over societal change.
- Auden's notable works include "People and Places," exploring sorrow and nature; "Lighter Poems," with a comic tone; and "Occasional Poems," reflecting on historical events.
What was the life and education of Auden?
W.H.Auden was born in 1907 in York. He studied in Oxford and while there he became the leader of the “Oxford poets” whose aim was of continuing the artistic revolution started by Eliot and Joyce.
Auden was also becoming increasingly concerned about his homosexuality. Homosexuality was condemned in his religious upbringing and was regarded as a criminal offence in England, this is why in 1939 he moved to New York and a year later he started teaching and published Another Decade; later he became an American citizen.
Influences and Poetic Opinions
During his English period he was influenced by Freud and psychoanalysis. In his opinion poetry had to tell stories concerning particular people or experiences and everyone had to give its own interpretation. The other great influence of this period was Karl Marx one according to it the poet had to be a public voice and support freedom.
In his American period Auden started leading his political interest refusing identification with a single poetic culture or nation and believing that improvement must begin inside the man, not inside the society.
His most relevant work is - “People and places”: whose topic is sorrow and the relationship between man and nature;
- “Lighter poems”: characterized by a comic tone;
- “Occasional poems”: celebrates the death of famous people and wants to interpret important historical events.
Domande da interrogazione
- What were the key influences on Auden's poetry during his English period?
- Why did Auden move to New York in 1939, and what significant change did he make afterward?
- How did Auden's poetic focus shift during his American period?
During his English period, Auden was influenced by Freud and psychoanalysis, believing poetry should tell stories about specific people or experiences for individual interpretation. Karl Marx also influenced him, advocating for the poet as a public voice supporting freedom.
Auden moved to New York in 1939 due to concerns about his homosexuality, which was condemned by his religious upbringing and considered a criminal offense in England. A year later, he began teaching, published "Another Decade," and eventually became an American citizen.
In his American period, Auden shifted his focus from political identification with a single poetic culture or nation to believing that improvement must begin within the individual rather than society.
Accedi a tutti gli appunti
Tutor AI: studia meglio e in meno tempo
