This paper deals with a critical analysis of W.H. Auden‘s 1939 poem “Herman Melville“. It focuses predominantly on the theme of serenity in later life and coming to terms with hardships one had to face throughout their lives. It also argues that themes of rebirth in the poem lead to a profound spiritual revelation at the end of Herman Melvilles life. In order to do a solid comparative analysis of both Auden‘s poetry and Melville‘s œvre, this paper examines the sea imagery found in the poem which is connected to finding goodness. My paper relies on sources such as The Enchafèd Flood by Auden, Moby Dick and other works of Herman Melville, as well as numerous secondary works of criticism. Furthermore, I argue that “Herman Melville“ depicts Auden‘s meditation on war and the rise of totalitarianism in Europe at the time. All of those topics make for an intriguing insight into mid-century poetry and Americanness in the literary landscape.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Auden's Americanness Post-1939
- 3. Change, Rebirth, and Spiritual Peace
- 4. Sea Imagery and Melville's Journey Toward Serenity
- 5. The Struggle Between Good and Evil
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper analyzes W.H. Auden's poem "Herman Melville," exploring its themes within the context of Auden's post-1939 American experience. The analysis aims to demonstrate how Auden's relocation and personal changes influenced his artistic expression and interpretation of serenity, spiritual awakening, and the complexities of moral identity. The paper also examines the poem's use of sea imagery and its connection to Melville's work and Auden's own reflections on war and totalitarianism.
- Auden's post-1939 American experience and its impact on his poetry
- Themes of rebirth, spiritual peace, and personal transformation
- The use of sea imagery as a symbol of serenity and the artist's journey
- Exploration of the struggle between good and evil in the poem and in the context of Auden's time
- The relationship between Auden and Lincoln Kirstein, and how it informs the poem's themes.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the analysis of W.H. Auden's "Herman Melville." It establishes the poem's context, highlighting its intimate and personal nature, written in 1939 as a tribute to the American author. The chapter introduces the poem's reflective tone and its exploration of acceptance and serenity in later life, emphasizing Auden and Melville's journeys towards finding inner peace. The introduction outlines the paper's key objectives: exploring themes of rebirth and spiritual revelation, analyzing the poem's sea imagery in relation to Melville's work and Auden's theoretical writings (The Enchafèd Flood), and examining the themes of good and evil, connecting them to both Melville's work and Auden's reflections on the political climate of the time. The chapter concludes with a discussion of the poem's dedication to Lincoln Kirstein, highlighting their shared interests in literature, arts, and the preservation of both, and suggesting a connection between Auden's, Kirstein's, and Melville's artistic struggles.
2. Auden's Americanness Post-1939: This chapter delves into the significance of Auden's move to the United States in 1939 and its influence on "Herman Melville." It examines how Auden's personal situation, particularly his relationship with an American man, and subsequent American citizenship, shaped his poetic voice. The chapter contrasts Auden's earlier "English" style with his evolving American identity, drawing upon critical perspectives that highlighted his unique position within the British and American literary landscapes. The chapter cites Firchow's comparison between Auden and Longfellow, emphasizing their international outlook, and contrasts Auden with more provincial British poets. The chapter further discusses Auden's assimilation of American slang and vernacular into his work, showcasing the nuances of his "Americanization" process and its impact on his artistic development.
3. Change, Rebirth, and Spiritual Peace: This chapter explores the transformations Auden underwent after moving to America, questioning whether this constitutes a "rebirth" or a "conversion." The chapter differentiates between artistic rebirth and creative evolution, emphasizing that artistic influence from surroundings leads to an evolution, not necessarily a complete abandonment of past experiences. The chapter uses the example of David Bowie's move to Berlin to illustrate this distinction, showing how artistic evolution is driven by new environments and collaborations, rather than an abrupt creative reset. The chapter then quotes extensively from Goetsch's essay "W.H. Auden und Amerika," illustrating Auden's artistic development post-1939, emphasizing the continuity in Auden's creative path despite the change in setting. The chapter ultimately positions Auden as a "modern citizen of the world" whose work reflects the impact of America while retaining a consistent artistic identity.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
W. H. Auden, Herman Melville, American literature, post-1939, rebirth, spiritual peace, sea imagery, good and evil, Lincoln Kirstein, American identity, artistic transformation, war, totalitarianism.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
What is the main topic of the "Herman Melville" language preview?
The preview provides an overview of an analysis of W.H. Auden's poem "Herman Melville," focusing on themes of rebirth, spiritual peace, and the influence of Auden's post-1939 American experience.
What are the key themes explored in the analysis?
The key themes include Auden's American identity post-1939, the concepts of change and rebirth, the pursuit of spiritual peace, the use of sea imagery, and the struggle between good and evil.
What does the "Table of Contents" section detail?
The "Table of Contents" lists the main sections of the analysis: Introduction, Auden's Americanness Post-1939, Change, Rebirth, and Spiritual Peace, Sea Imagery and Melville's Journey Toward Serenity, and The Struggle Between Good and Evil.
What are the objectives outlined in the "Objectives and Key Themes" section?
The objectives include analyzing the impact of Auden's relocation to America on his poetry, examining themes of transformation and spiritual awakening, analyzing the symbolism of sea imagery, exploring the conflict between good and evil, and understanding the relationship between Auden and Lincoln Kirstein and its relevance to the poem.
Can you summarize Chapter 1, "Introduction"?
The introduction establishes the context of Auden's poem, written in 1939 as a tribute to Herman Melville. It introduces the poem's reflective tone and themes of acceptance and serenity. It outlines the paper's key objectives including examining rebirth, spiritual revelation, sea imagery, and the struggle between good and evil, also making a link to Lincoln Kirstein.
Can you summarize Chapter 2, "Auden's Americanness Post-1939"?
This chapter explores how Auden's move to the United States in 1939 influenced his poetic voice and shaped his American identity. It contrasts his earlier style with his evolving American identity, highlighting his unique position in both British and American literary landscapes.
Can you summarize Chapter 3, "Change, Rebirth, and Spiritual Peace"?
This chapter explores Auden's transformations after moving to America, examining whether it constitutes a "rebirth" or a "conversion." The chapter highlights the continuity in Auden's creative path despite the change in setting, viewing him as a "modern citizen of the world."
What keywords are associated with this analysis?
Keywords include: W. H. Auden, Herman Melville, American literature, post-1939, rebirth, spiritual peace, sea imagery, good and evil, Lincoln Kirstein, American identity, artistic transformation, war, totalitarianism.
- Quote paper
- Jannes Winkler (Author), 2024, The Calm of Mountains. Serenity, Rebirth, and the Struggle Between Good and Evil in W.H. Auden‘s "Herman Melville", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/1525643
