I really enjoyed reading Auden's poem, written after the declaration of World War I. I looked more in depth at stanza 4:
Into this neutral air
Where blind skyscrapers use
Their full height to proclaim
The strength of Collective Man,
Each language pours its vain
Competitive excuse:
But who can live for long
In an euphoric dream;
Out of the mirror they stare,
Imperialism's face
And the international wrong.
Since Auden was writing this from the U.S., he seems to be referring to the U.S.'s non-involvement in the war in the opening line, "the neutral air." In this stanza, Auden describes one of the symbols of civilization's greatest achievements, the huge skyscrapers in the cities. He then seems to tear them down as "an euphoric dream," which seems relevant in this new war atmosphere. These testimonies to man's progress can be destroyed in a single air raid, and will be in the future. The blank windows and mirrors reflect the disharmony and disconnect between the relationships between individuals and relationships between countries in a time of war.
This is really interesting Brianna. I think this stanza in particular really relates to September 11. The imagery of skyscrapers must have really spoken to people after the destruction of the Twin Towers.
ReplyDeleteIt shows how vulnerable we are when we build idols to focus one instead of the world.
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