W.H. Auden's August 1968

A detailed Summary of W.H. Auden's August 1968

All work of fiction contains some degree of social commentary, analysis or perspective. Most authors cleverly disguise this commentary - without being didactic - through the use of metaphors and leave it up to the reader to uncover their observations. More so than fiction, poetry is almost entirely metaphor. W.H. Auden uses metaphor and motif in all of his poems to effectively convey his ideas. In particular, his poem "August 1968," though brief, offers a scathing commentary on the events of the day.

During August 1968, the United States was embroiled in a conflict in Vietnam. Many people within the United States were highly critical of the involvement, and people over seas were even more adamant in this belief. W.H Auden seems to be no different in his criticism of the Vietnam War. The poem reads:

Without a doubt, the "Ogre" in the poem is United States government. Ogres generally have a connotation of being large, brutish, destructive creatures. Indeed, the Unit

Several options present themselves for interpretation in the next line, "Deeds quite impossible for Man." First, Auden is saying that Vietnam is an un-winnable war. This was becoming a common sentiment, especially among those who were already opposed to the war. Guerilla wars are difficult to fight as it is, and in the wake of the Tet Offensive, the North Vietnamese had gained a strong advantage. In a larger sense, Auden could be saying something about the larger purpose of the war. The United States originally got involved to stop the spread of communism. This line also hints at the futility of holding back ideals, especially in areas where such ideas have already spread.

Another interpretation also presents itself within the context of this poem. August of 1968 was one of the most turbulent times in the United States as far as the civil rights movement is concerned. Earlier in the year, Martin Luther King had been assassinated, and race riots were erupting around the country in cities such as Los Angeles, Detroit and Milwaukee. It is quite possible that the poem is Auden's take on the race riots that were erupting throughout the United States. The difficulty with this interpretation of the poem, is trying to understand which side Auden is supporting. Equally strong arguments can be formulated depending on the reader's point of view.

ed States is a rather large force in the realm of world politics, and in the matter of military might. Furthermore, the brutal, destructive undertaking in Vietnam was disorganized, and in retrospect, lacked any defined purpose. One only has to think of a character like Godzilla, which used its size to create a large, indiscriminate path of destruction. Godzilla seemingly destroyed without purpose.

Auden states that, "the Ogre does what ogres can." If the Ogre is the United States, then the ogres are the nations of the world. What "ogres do" is wage war. With few exceptions, every nation wages war for one reason or another, and at times, it seems as if war is waged for w

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Approximate Word count = 1372
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)

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