(up to 200 words each)
WH. Auden is one of the renowned and celebrated 20th century poets in the English language. He drew on a wide range of influences and is known as a modernist poet, who focused on a variety of subjects such as love, politics, morality and religion. His poem, Funeral Blues, is one of his most famous works.
Auden’s prodigious output and thought-provoking writing provide students with plenty of worthy topics to explore in an essay. Here are five examples of engaging essay topics related to W.H. Auden’s life and works:
1. W.H. Auden and Modernism: How did Auden’s modernist approach to his writing contribute to his success and influence? This essay could explore the way Auden’s use of irony and fragmentation made his poetry unique, as well as how the subject matter of his work translated the anxieties of the modern age.
2. The Influence of W.H. Auden on Post-modern Poetry: How did Auden’s contributions to the modernist movement affect post-modern poetry? This essay could look at ways in which Auden's style and topics continue to influence the generation of poets who followed him.
3. Re-examining the Themes of W.H. Auden’s Poetry: What themes are consistent throughout Auden’s work, and how do they relate to today’s society? This topic could focus on how themes like love and morality remain relevant in the modern age, and how Auden’s ideas could perhaps be applied to the contemporary world.
4. The Satirical Poetry of W.H. Auden: How did Auden use satire in his poetry to make a political or social statement? This could examine how Auden wrote about political issues in ways that were both critical and humorous.
5. W.H. Auden’s Funeral Blues: How does Funeral Blues capture the essence of grief, loss, and sorrow? This essay could explore how Auden employed various poetic techniques to evoke a powerful portrait of sadness and loss.