Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Week 5 - Auden's "September 1, 1939"



This is an interesting picture. I think it fits with Auden's "September 1, 1939." Throughout the poem, among other things, he seems to condemn the propensity of the U.S. to spread its ideas - like capitalism - through a policy of imperialism. This is something that has obviously changed for the better during the past century, but many would argue that the U.S. is still pushing its ideas like democracy abroad... most notably by (depending on your perspective) liberating or interfering in Iraq.

This picture also communicates the power and influence and poetry. When Auden seemed to be very critical of these selfish American ideas and war in general, I tended to agree with him. However, this picture makes me uneasy. It cheapens and mocks what every American soldier did in World War II. Reading the poem, I was with Auden. After seeing this picture, I tend to not agree with him anymore. After contemplating such opposite ends of the spectrum, it ironically shows how fine the line can be.

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