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Introduction to the Poem: September 1, 1939

The poem “September 1, 1939” was written by W. H. Auden at the start of World War II, after
Germany invaded Poland on that date. Auden was living in New York City at the time, and the
poem shows his reaction to the fear, confusion, and sadness caused by the war.

In this poem, Auden reflects on the mistakes of the past, the failure of governments, and the
darkness in human nature. He criticizes the systems that led to war but also offers a message
of hope and personal responsibility.

The poem is written in a clear and thoughtful style, combining history, politics, and personal
emotions. It reminds us that even in dark times, people can choose to show love, kindness, and
courage.

Summary

The poem “September 1, 1939” is set on the day when World War II began. Auden is sitting in a
bar in New York City, far from the war in Europe, but he feels deeply affected by the news of
Germany’s invasion of Poland.

He reflects on the history of violence and mistakes that led to the war. Auden believes that the
war did not happen suddenly—it was the result of many political failures, greed, pride, and hatred
built over time. He criticizes both leaders and ordinary people for not learning from the past.

The poet talks about the fear and sadness in people’s hearts. He says that many people feel
helpless and lost in a world full of lies and selfishness. But even in this dark time, he believes
there is still hope.

In the final part of the poem, Auden gives a message of personal responsibility. He says that we
cannot fix the whole world alone, but we can all try to be kind and spread love. His famous line,
“We must love one another or die,” shows that love and unity are the only ways to survive and
bring peace.
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Speaker

The speaker of the poem is a thoughtful and reflective person, who closely resembles the poet
W. H. Auden himself. The speaker is sitting alone in a bar in New York City on the night World
War II begins. He is far away from the battlefield, but he feels deeply affected by the situation.

The speaker watches the world with sadness and concern. He reflects on history, politics, war,
and human nature. He is both a witness to the present moment and a critic of the past. He sees
how fear, power, and selfishness have caused great harm in the world.

Although he feels a sense of helplessness, the speaker also shows hope and moral strength. He
believes that even if the world is full of darkness, people still have the power to choose love,
truth, and kindness.

So, the speaker is not just talking about war—he is trying to understand it and find a way to bring
light in a dark time.
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Themes

1. War and Violence

The poem was written right after World War II began. Auden talks about the cruelty and
destruction that war brings to the world. He is upset by the violence caused by political leaders
and nations fighting for power. The poet sees war as a repeated mistake in human history,
where people suffer because of pride, hate, and the desire to control others.

2. History and Human Mistakes

Auden believes that war doesn’t start suddenly—it grows from past mistakes. He blames
leaders, political systems, and societies that allowed hate and injustice to spread. The poet says
people forget the past and repeat the same errors again and again, leading to war and suffering.
This theme reminds us that we must learn from history to avoid repeating it.

3. Fear and Hopelessness

In the poem, many people feel afraid and helpless. The world is in a dark time, full of confusion
and loss. Auden shows how ordinary people feel lost when faced with war and political lies. He
describes a world full of anxiety, sadness, and moral confusion (people not knowing what is
right or wrong anymore). This theme gives the poem a serious and emotional tone.

4. Responsibility and Moral Choice

Even though the world is full of fear, Auden believes that every person has a personal
responsibility to do what is right. We may not be able to stop war alone, but we can choose to
be honest, kind, and loving. The poet encourages people to take moral action, even in small
ways, because that is how change begins. This theme is about doing good in difficult times.

5. Hope and Love

The most important message of the poem is hope through love. Auden famously writes:

> “We must love one another or die.”

He means that if people keep hating and fighting, the world will destroy itself. But if we choose
love, compassion (kindness), and unity, there is hope for peace and a better future. This theme
gives the poem a positive ending, despite its dark beginning.
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Symbols

1. The Date – "September 1, 1939"

This date is a powerful symbol of change and crisis. It marks the day when Germany invaded
Poland, starting World War II. Auden uses this date to represent a loss of peace and the
beginning of a new age of fear and destruction. It reminds the reader that this war is not just
political—it affects all of humanity.

2. The Bar in New York City

The bar is where the speaker sits while thinking about the war. It represents a place of escape,
where people go to forget their problems. But at the same time, it also shows the loneliness and
helplessness people feel during such times. It’s a symbol of how people try to ignore the world’s
problems but are still emotionally affected.

3. "Waves of anger and fear"

This phrase describes the emotional condition of people during war. These “waves” symbolize
how negative emotions like hatred and fear spread from person to person, just like waves in the
ocean. It shows that war doesn’t only cause physical damage—it also affects people’s minds
and hearts.

4. Light and Darkness

Auden uses light as a symbol of hope, truth, and goodness, and darkness as a symbol of evil,
ignorance, and despair. Throughout the poem, there is a struggle between these two. Even
though darkness seems stronger, the poet believes light still exists, especially in individual acts
of love and kindness.

5. “We must love one another or die”

This is the most famous line in the poem, and it becomes a symbol of human survival. It shows
that love and compassion are necessary for life. Without love, society will fall into hate, violence,
and destruction. This line also shows Auden’s belief in moral responsibility—that we all must
choose love to keep hope alive

6. "Children afraid of the night"

This image is a symbol of innocence in danger. It represents human fear, especially the fear of
the unknown and the future. Just like children are afraid of the dark, people in the world are
afraid of war and what might come next. It also shows how even the innocent suffer in times of
conflict.
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Form, Meter, and Rhyme

1. Form

The poem has a very structured form. It is made up of 9 stanzas, and each stanza has 11 lines.
This is unusual because most poems use stanzas of even numbers (like 4 or 8 lines). The use
of 11-line stanzas gives the poem a unique rhythm and visual balance, while still allowing for
deep, thoughtful expression.

The poem is written in free verse, but it still follows a clear pattern in its rhyme and rhythm. It
reads more like a speech or a serious reflection rather than a song or ballad.

2. Meter

The poem is mostly written in loose iambic meter.

An iamb is a metrical foot with two syllables: the first is unstressed, and the second is stressed
(like da-DUM).

Example: "I sit / in one / of the / dives" – This line has a natural iambic flow, though it is not
strict.

Auden does not follow perfect iambic lines throughout. Instead, he varies the meter to reflect
the emotional tone of each line. Some lines are more regular, and others are broken or uneven
to show confusion, tension, or emphasis.

3. Rhyme Scheme

Each stanza of 11 lines follows a complex rhyme scheme, usually:

> ABCBDDEECEE

This means that not every line rhymes with the next one.

Instead, the rhyme is spread out and balanced, giving the poem a musical yet serious tone.

For example:

> I sit in one of the dives (A)

On Fifty-second Street (B)

Uncertain and afraid (C)

As the clever hopes expire (B)

Of a low dishonest decade (D)

(And so on…)
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This rhyme scheme helps Auden mix order with disorder—just like the world he is describing.
The poem feels controlled, but it also allows space for emotional depth and reflection.

Poetic Devices i

1. Imagery

Auden uses vivid images to help the reader imagine the scene and feelings.

Example:

> "Children afraid of the night / Who have never been happy or good"

This line creates a picture of fear and innocence, showing how even children suffer in a troubled
world.

2. Allusion (Reference to history or other texts)

Auden refers to historical events, people, and ideas to deepen the poem’s meaning.

Example:

> "Accurate scholarship can / Unearth the whole offence / From Luther until now…”

Here, he alludes to Martin Luther and the history of Western thought to explain how past beliefs
and errors led to war.

3. Symbolism

Many objects and ideas in the poem symbolize larger meanings.

Examples:

"The light" = hope, truth

"The darkness" = fear, war, evil

"The bar" = escape, isolation

4. Metaphor

Auden compares two unlike things without using "like" or "as".

Example:

> "The unmentionable odour of death / Offends the September night.”

Here, "odour of death" is a metaphor for the presence of war and destruction in the air.

5. Personification

Giving human qualities to non-human things.

Example:

> "The enlightenment driven away…”

Here, "enlightenment" is shown as if it were a person being forced to leave.

6. Repetition

Repeating words or ideas for emphasis.

Example:

> The idea of fear, dishonesty, and darkness is repeated throughout the poem to stress the
emotional and moral crisis of the world.

7. Enjambment

When a sentence continues from one line to the next without a pause.

Effect: This gives the poem a natural flow and mirrors ongoing thought.

Example:

> "I sit in one of the dives / On Fifty-second Street / Uncertain and afraid…"
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8. Tone (Mood or attitude)

The poem shifts in tone:

Begins with sadness and fear

Moves to criticism of society

Ends with a message of hope and love

9. Paradox

A statement that seems contradictory but reveals a deeper truth.

Example:

> "We must love one another or die."

This line seems simple, but it carries a deep message: Without love, humanity will destroy itself.

These poetic devices help Auden express the complex emotions and serious message of the
poem in a powerful way.

Literary and Historical Context of September 1, 1939 by W. H. Auden

1. Historical Background

The poem September 1, 1939 was written on the very day that Germany invaded Poland, which
marked the beginning of World War II. This historical event brought global attention to the
aggressive expansion of Nazi Germany under Adolf Hitler, leading Britain and France to declare
war just days later. The invasion symbolized the failure of peace efforts and the beginning of
another devastating global conflict, only two decades after World War I.

Auden, though physically far from the battlefield, was deeply affected by the unfolding events.
He had recently moved from England to the United States, seeking a new life but still feeling
morally connected to the suffering in Europe. The poem reflects his shock, grief, and moral
reflection on the failure of political systems and the rise of authoritarian rule.
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2. Political and Social Context

During the 1930s, the world saw the rise of fascism, totalitarianism, and militarism. Countries
like Germany, Italy, and Japan became increasingly aggressive. In Germany, Hitler had gained
control through propaganda, fear, and hatred, spreading anti-Semitic (anti-Jewish) ideas and
silencing opposition.

Auden criticizes not only the dictators but also the passive role of ordinary people and Western
governments who failed to stop the spread of evil in time. His poem reflects the growing sense
of fear, mistrust, and moral confusion in society.

3. Literary Context

W. H. Auden was a major voice in modern poetry, known for blending personal emotion with
political and philosophical themes. He belonged to a generation of writers affected by both
World Wars and the Great Depression. His poetry often explored moral responsibility, human
weakness, and the search for truth in difficult times.

In September 1, 1939, Auden uses simple but powerful language, along with vivid images and
historical references, to express both his sadness over the world’s condition and his belief in the
power of love and individual action. Although written as a response to a specific event, the
poem speaks to universal human issues, making it timeless and globally relevant.

4. Auden’s Personal Position

At the time of writing this poem, Auden was experiencing an inner conflict. He had left England
for America and was criticized by some for "escaping" the war. However, this poem shows that
he was deeply involved emotionally and intellectually. Sitting in a bar in New York, he reflects on
the global crisis, while feeling a sense of guilt and responsibility.

He presents himself as a watchful observer, someone who sees the failure of politics, religion,
and human behavior, yet still holds on to the hope that people can choose love over hate.
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