W.H. Auden: Life and Works

W.H. Auden (1907-1973)

• British-American poet known for left-wing views, political commentary, and explorations of morals, love, religion, and social issues.
• Received the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1947.
• Associated with the Auden group, which was known for its critical exploration of political, moral, and religious issues in post-war Europe.
• Collaborated with Christopher Isherwood on several projects, including the play The Dog Beneath the Skin (1935).
• His poems often explore themes such as:
  • Politics
  • Morals
  • Love
  • Religion
  • The anxieties of the modern world
  • The human condition
• Auden's works often focus on individual journeys toward self-discovery and identity in a seemingly chaotic and meaningless world.
• His works often utilize symbolism, imagery, and satire to convey complex concepts in a challenging poetic style.

Key Works

• Poems (1930): Showcase his early poetic style.
• The Orators (1932): Another significant collection that demonstrates his engagement with the world around him.
• The Ascent of F6 (1936): A long poem.
• On the Frontier (1937-38): Collection of poems.
• The Age of Anxiety (1948): A long poem concerning man's journey to find his essence and identity in an industrialized world.