Saturday, June 9, 2007

A frequently asked question

From a page of frequently asked questions on the website of the W.H. Auden Society:

Where can I find an interpretation of [name of poem]?

Nothing of this kind seems to be available on the web. This site recommends the books listed on the criticism page, especially those listed as general introductory studies and as comprehensive biographical and critical studies.
I would like to think that somewhere there's a student gullible trusting enough to take this advice. Looking for an explication of a poem? Nothing like that here. Try the library!
Other Auden posts
On handwriting and typing
Six lines from Auden
W.H. Auden centenary

comments: 1

Anonymous said...

Explaining a poem would be like explaining a cloud ; it's possible, but useless.