The main two themes of the poem, “September 1st, 1939 by W.H. Auden are:
regret and hope
disillusionment and alienation
death and rebirth
love and politics
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is “disillusionment and alienation.”
W.H. Auden’s “September 1st, 1939” was written in the context of the outbreak of World War II, reflecting the turmoil and uncertainty of the time. The two main themes explored in the poem are disillusionment and alienation.
- Disillusionment: Auden’s poem expresses a deep sense of disillusionment with the state of the world in 1939. The opening lines capture a bleak view of the world’s condition: “I sit in one of the dives / On Fifty-Second Street,” a reference to an isolated and despairing perspective. Auden critiques the political and social climate of the time, particularly the rise of fascism and the impending global conflict. The poem conveys a sense of moral decay and a loss of belief in the idea that humanity is capable of creating a better world. The reference to “the world’s great age” of suffering alludes to the idea that the mistakes of the past are being repeated, leading to a sense of futility.
- Alienation: The theme of alienation is evident throughout the poem. Auden suggests that individuals are estranged from each other, disconnected from the collective human experience. The lines “We must love one another or die” reflect a desperate call for solidarity amidst a world that is increasingly divided by conflict. However, the sense of alienation is pervasive, as Auden describes a world where people are isolated and disengaged, unable to meaningfully connect with each other.
The poem’s exploration of disillusionment and alienation highlights the existential crisis facing humanity at the time, making these the central themes of Auden’s work. While there are elements of other themes, such as the questioning of love and politics, it is the overwhelming sense of loss and detachment that defines the emotional core of the poem.