What is the poem September 1 1939 about?

Answer by  xela (349)

"September 1, 1939" was written about the outbreak of World War II and deliberately echoes an earlier poem "Easter, 1916" which was written about the Easter Uprising in Ireland. The poem discusses the historical frustrations of the period and progresses to a speculation on the future based on events in the past.

Answer by  klp2210 (145)

The poem is a reflection on the state of the world at the outbreak of the Second World War. The majority of the poem is a commentary on the circumstances that created an environment in which such a war could break out.

Answer by  Swani (125)

This poem was written on the outbreak of WWI. It is about failures and troubles but moves on in meaning to represent hope in the present or future and it was written in New York, at the Dizzy Club. The poem was read in NPR after Sept. 11.

Answer by  tamkees (3203)

On the surface, the poem is a detailing and criticism of the Nazi invasion of Poland. On a much deeper level, it's about tolerance for those who live on the fringes of society. It became especially poignant much later when Auden's fans discovered he was homosexual.