In the Memory of W. B. Yeats by Auden

In Memory of W. B. Yeats as a Modern Elegy

Introduction

W. H. Auden’s In Memory of W. B. Yeats is one of the finest examples of the modern elegy in English literature. Auden wrote the poem in 1939 after the death of the Irish poet W. B. Yeats. The poem mourns Yeats’s death, praises his poetic achievement and reflects on the role of poetry in a troubled modern world. At the same time, it goes beyond personal grief and deals with death, suffering, war, politics and the survival of poetry.

1. Structure of the Elegy

Auden’s In Memory of W. B. Yeats is divided into three sections, which broadly follow the traditional structure of an elegy: lament, praise and consolation. The first section has six stanzas, the second has one stanza, and the third has six stanzas. The first two sections are mainly written in free verse, while the third uses a more regular form with rhyming couplets, giving it the character of a traditional elegiac song. Thus, the poem moves from personal death to reflection on the poet and poetry, and finally to universal human suffering and consolation. However, Auden gives these traditional elements a distinctly modern treatment.

A. Lament

The first section mourns Yeats’s death and describes his last days:

“He disappeared in the dead of winter”

Auden creates a cold, gloomy atmosphere through images of frozen brooks, deserted airports and snow-covered statues. Yet, unlike the traditional elegy, nature does not mourn; the wolves run and the river flows as usual. This shows nature’s indifference to human death. Auden also presents Yeats’s illness realistically through modern images:

“The provinces of his body revolted”

“The squares of his mind were empty.”

Thus, death is presented as a physical and psychological reality, not romantically idealized.

B. Praise

The second section directly addresses Yeats:

“You were silly like us; your gift survived it all”

Auden presents Yeats as an imperfect human being whose poetic gift survived his weaknesses and decay. His Irish experience shaped his poetry:

“Mad Ireland hurt you into poetry.”

Auden also emphasizes the enduring power of poetry:

“For poetry makes nothing happen: it survives”

Thus, poetry may not change events directly, but it survives the poet and influences future generations.

C. Consolation

The third section offers consolation through the enduring and healing power of poetry rather than religious faith. Auden asks the poet to continue speaking in a world of darkness:

“Follow, poet, follow right

To the bottom of the night”

Poetry can transform suffering into meaning:

“Make a vineyard of the curse”

The final image of the “healing fountain” symbolizes poetry’s power to provide comfort, hope and renewal.

2. Poetic Techniques

Auden uses several poetic techniques to make the poem effective. These include alliteration, allusion and enjambment.

Allusion means a reference to a person, event or work without explaining it directly. In the poem, Auden refers to Yeats’s Irish background and the political struggles of Ireland. In the third section, he also alludes to the political tensions and approaching Second World War in Europe.

Alliteration is the repetition of the same initial sound in nearby words. Examples include “dying day” and “Silence invaded the suburbs.” These repetitions create emphasis and musical effect.

Enjambment occurs when a sentence or phrase continues from one poetic line to the next without a pause. Auden frequently uses enjambment, particularly in the first two sections. It creates a flowing, conversational rhythm and reflects the continuous movement of thought.

Therefore, Auden’s use of different structures and poetic techniques makes In Memory of W. B. Yeats both a personal tribute and a modern elegy.

3. Features of the Modern Elegy

Auden’s poem has several important features of a modern elegy:

1. Airports, nurses, brokers and the Bourse replace the traditional pastoral images of flowers, shepherds and rural landscapes.

2. Nature does not participate in human grief and continues its ordinary course despite the poet’s death.

3. Yeats is shown as an ordinary and imperfect human being rather than an idealized or heroic figure.

4. Yeats’s death is connected with the political crisis, hatred and approaching war in Europe.

5. Auden questions the immediate power of poetry by saying, “For poetry makes nothing happen: it survives.”

6. Consolation comes not from religion but from the survival, enduring influence and healing power of poetry.

7. The poem combines free verse with traditional rhyme, rhythm and ballad-like forms.

Conclusion

Thus, In Memory of W. B. Yeats is a modern elegy because Auden combines the traditional elements of lament, praise and consolation with modern themes of death, suffering, war and poetry. Though the poet dies, his poetry survives and continues to give meaning to human experience. Thus, the poem is both a tribute to Yeats and an affirmation of the enduring power of poetry.