Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Exiles" by Wystan Hugh Auden is an evocative poem that explores themes of displacement, loss, community, and the passage of time. Here's an analysis of the poem, looking at its structure, imagery, and themes:

Structure

The poem's structure consists of six-line stanzas, creating a rhythmic pattern that runs throughout the poem. This uniformity provides a sense of unity and cohesiveness to the various scenes and emotions depicted.

Imagery

The imagery is vivid and compelling, with each stanza containing concrete images that evoke the feelings of displacement, longing, community, and the passage of time.

Themes

Displacement and Loss

The theme of displacement and loss is central to the poem and permeates the stanzas. There are references to a frozen fjord, broken axle, derelict dock, and desolate landscapes, all symbols of disruption and dislocation from what was once familiar.

Community and Adaptation

Within the stanzas, the exiles' shared activities and experiences convey a sense of camaraderie and resilience. Planning picnics, skating, curling, and gardening symbolize their collective efforts to adapt and find joy in their new surroundings.

Hopes and Expectations

Throughout the poem, Auden places an emphasis on the hopes and expectations of the exiles. This can be seen in the stanzas that detail the planning of picnics, skating, curling, and gardening. These activities represent more than mere pastimes; they symbolize a yearning for normalcy, a return to joyful experiences, and a desire to build new traditions in a foreign land. The word choice such as "promised" and "planned" underscores the intentional effort to create hope amid uncertainty.

Freedom and its Contradictions

The theme of freedom appears in contrast and, at times, in conflict with the constraints faced by the exiles. While the opening lines refer to "forging from freedom," the exiles' journey and their subsequent life are filled with limitations and reminders of their altered status. The contrast between the anticipation of freedom and the reality of exile creates a poignant tension throughout the poem.

The promise of freedom in their new home is mingled with the reality of loss, displacement, and adjustment. For example, they plan for picnics in July, yet they are faced with "blistering paint" and "icicles sombre." They prepare for the celebration of Christmas, but they are "surplus from wars." These contrasts emphasize the complex emotions associated with exile, where hope and freedom are continuously challenged by reality.

Passage of Time and Acceptance

The six-line stanzas guide the reader through the seasons, reflecting the cyclical nature of time and the gradual process of acceptance. From summer activities to Christmas celebrations, the spring's planting and autumn's bowing trees, the stanzas chronicle the exiles' adjustment to their new reality.

Conclusion

"Exiles" by Wystan Hugh Auden masterfully weaves themes of displacement, community, hope, freedom, and acceptance within its six-line stanzas. The poem's imagery serves to create a vivid portrait of life in exile, where dreams of freedom clash with the stark truths of their new existence. The exiles' planning and anticipation of future joys, juxtaposed with their harsh surroundings, make for a poignant commentary on the human ability to harbor hope in the face of adversity. The structure and content of the poem create a rich tapestry, reflecting the complex nature of exile and the enduring human desire for freedom and fulfillment.

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