Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"They" is a poem by the renowned British-American poet W.H. Auden. The poem consists of eight stanzas, each with six lines. It explores themes of dread, exile, despair, human vulnerability, and the darker aspects of human existence. There is a constant tension between the expected and the real, the beautiful and the terrifying, the civilized and the wild.

Thematic Analysis

Dread and Terror: The poem begins with the dread and terror associated with "They," a mysterious and threatening presence. The fear is existential, as "They" endangers all that is dear and comforting, such as friends, flowers, and structures.

Human Vulnerability and Failure: The text portrays humanity as vulnerable and failing in understanding and controlling the menacing forces. Human civilization is depicted as ill-prepared for the raw, wild force it encounters, and there's a sense of failure in dealing with primal emotions.

Exile and Resentment: The poem talks about the resentment and despair brought about by exile. The images evoke a sense of alienation and rejection, and "They" wears the "weeping" of humanity as a "disgraceful badge."

Deception and Expectation: Themes of illusion, expectation, and deception are also significant. Humanity's dreams and desires lead to disillusionment, as "They" turns out to be nothing like what was hoped for. The deceptive lure is created by human longing, only to lead to a harsh reality.

Contrasts and Paradoxes: The poem plays on contrasts and paradoxes: the beautiful vs. the dreadful, the civilized vs. the primal, the expected vs. the real. This theme underlines the complexity of human existence, where desires and reality often clash.

Poetic Devices

Imagery: Auden uses rich and vivid imagery to bring the themes to life. Phrases like "crooked wing," "shocking fury," "hairy and clumsy bridegroom," and "striped and vigorous tiger" paint vivid pictures that engage the reader's senses.

Metaphor: The poem is filled with metaphorical language that adds depth to its meaning. "They" are described in ways that evoke animals or forces of nature, hinting at something wild, uncontrolled, and potentially destructive.

Symbolism: Various symbols are employed to represent abstract ideas. For example, the "ponds" reflecting "Terrible Presences" might symbolize self-awareness or introspection, while "bed" and "marriage" symbolize human relationships and social contracts.

Anaphora: This is the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses. The repetition of phrases like "O we" and "With" emphasizes certain ideas and lends rhythm to the poem.

Contrast: As mentioned earlier, the poem is filled with contrasts between the beautiful and the terrifying, the civilized and the primal. This contrast serves to heighten the tension and drama within the poem.

Personification: Auden employs personification by attributing human characteristics to non-human elements. For example, "money sang like streams" and "cities predict" personify abstract concepts, lending them life and agency.

Alliteration: The use of alliteration, or the repetition of consonant sounds, adds a rhythmic quality to the poem. For example, in the line "blond boy Bites eagerly," the repetition of the 'b' sound creates a musical effect.

Enjambment: The poem often uses enjambment, where sentences or phrases continue beyond the end of a line or stanza. This creates a flowing, continuous effect that can mirror the relentless march of the poem's themes.

Conclusion

"They" by W.H. Auden is a rich and haunting poem that delves into human fear, failure, expectations, and the complex relationship between civilization and primal forces. Through vivid imagery and complex thematic exploration, the poem offers an unsettling reflection on humanity's vulnerability and the unpredictable nature of existence. Its multi-layered examination of these themes creates a profound and lasting impression. The poem is not only rich in thematic content but also in its use of poetic devices. Through the use of imagery, metaphor, symbolism, anaphora, contrast, personification, alliteration, and enjambment, Auden crafts a complex and engaging poem. These devices work together to create a vivid and unsettling portrayal of human vulnerability, expectations, dread, and the complex interplay between civilization and primal forces.

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...