Summary of Episode 657: "Auden's England (with Nicholas Jenkins)" | The History of Literature

Release Date: December 2, 2024

In Episode 657 of The History of Literature, host Jack Wilson delves into the intricate relationship between the renowned poet W.H. Auden and his homeland, England. Joining him is Nicholas Jenkins, a distinguished professor of English Literature at Stanford University and author of "War and Belonging in Auden's England" (released in the UK as "WH Auden and the Last of Englishness"). Together, they explore Auden's early life, his evolving poetic voice, personal struggles, and lasting legacy.

1. Introduction to W.H. Auden’s Dual Identity

Jack Wilson sets the stage by highlighting Auden's complex identity, being "intensely British, intensely American," and poses critical questions about Auden’s relationship with England—was it a source of inspiration, confinement, or ambivalence?

Jack Wilson [01:00]: "Intensely British, intensely American. Maybe the hyphen between British-American is where Auden truly resided."

2. Nicholas Jenkins’s Journey into Auden’s World

Nicholas Jenkins shares his personal journey of uncovering Auden's multifaceted persona. Initially, Auden’s significance was blurred during his school years, but his deeper understanding emerged through extensive research in New York, including studying Auden's notebooks at the New York Public Library and collaborating with Professor Edward Mendelssohn, Auden's literary executor.

Nicholas Jenkins [15:28]: "It was only when I started reading his notebooks that I felt like I got closer to him as an artist."

3. Evolution of Auden’s Poetry: From Conservatism to Prophetic Vision

Jenkins elaborates on the transformation in Auden’s poetic style over a 15-year period from his first poem at age 15 in 1922 to 1937. Auden’s early work was formally conservative but gradually became more cryptic and laden with foreboding themes.

Nicholas Jenkins [24:19]: "He started off writing poems that were quite conservative formally. Then he began to write poetry that was very cryptic, almost like coded messages in verse, full of hints and prophecies of disaster."

Auden’s poems during this time reflect his internal struggles, political awareness, and personal relationships, culminating in the famous poem "Stop All the Clocks."

Nicholas Jenkins [28:07]: "That poem has propagated endlessly amongst people who have gained all kinds of different meanings from it."

4. Auden’s Personal Struggles: Sexuality and Societal Constraints

The conversation delves into Auden’s grappling with his sexuality in a homophobic society. Jenkins emphasizes Auden’s subtle yet profound incorporation of his identity into his work, navigating societal condemnation without overt declarations.

Nicholas Jenkins [43:06]: "Auden didn’t run away from his sexuality. He found ways to articulate it inside this very judgmental culture."

Auden's ability to infuse his poetry with his personal identity, despite societal pressures, underscores his courage and artistic integrity.

5. Reasons Behind Auden’s Departure from England

A pivotal discussion centers on why Auden chose to leave England in the late 1930s. Contrary to assumptions that his sexuality was the primary driver, Jenkins posits that Auden sought to avoid becoming entangled with the British establishment and desired artistic freedom.

Nicholas Jenkins [49:02]: "He saw himself as being inevitably co-opted by the enormously powerful forces of the British establishment. He wanted to flee becoming institutionalized as a kind of boring stuffed shirt artist."

Auden feared that remaining in England would constrain his creative expression and force him into official roles that conflicted with his artistic ethos.

6. England’s Enduring Influence Amid Expatriation

Even after settling in the United States, Auden maintained a complex relationship with England. Jenkins notes Auden’s nostalgic yet anxious feelings towards his homeland, often visiting but never fully reintegrating.

Nicholas Jenkins [52:50]: "He was still English, but he just wasn't living in England anymore."

Auden’s sporadic visits and continued literary engagement with England reflect his enduring connection and the indelible mark it left on his identity and work.

7. The Relevance of Auden’s Themes in Contemporary Contexts

Jenkins draws parallels between Auden’s exploration of national identity and today's globalized yet fragmented world. Issues like nationalism versus globalism resonate with Auden’s introspections on belonging and identity.

Nicholas Jenkins [59:22]: "The tensions and the difficulties that Auden was exploring in his poetry almost 100 years ago are still resonating through contemporary life."

8. Concluding Reflections and Notable Quotes

The episode concludes with Jenkins sharing a poignant stanza from Auden’s poem, encapsulating the perpetual influence of history on personal and national identity.

Nicholas Jenkins [62:14]: "From the narrow window of my fourth floor room I smoke into the night and watch reflections stretch in the harbor... all sway forward on the dangerous flood of history that never sleeps or dies."

This reflection underscores Auden’s enduring relevance and the timeless nature of his literary contributions.

9. Brief Segment with Gabriele Pedulla

In a brief concluding segment, Gabriele Pedulla, an expert in Italian literature, interacts with Jack Wilson, providing insights unrelated to the main discussion on Auden. This segment remains peripheral to the episode's primary focus.

Key Takeaways:

• W.H. Auden's Dual Identity: Auden embodied both British and American sensibilities, creating a unique poetic voice influenced by his transatlantic experiences.

• Evolution of Poetry: Auden’s work transitioned from formal conservatism to complex, prophetic poetry, reflecting his internal and external conflicts.

• Personal Struggles and Artistry: Auden navigated his sexuality within a restrictive societal framework, subtly infusing his identity into his poetry.

• Expatriation and Artistic Freedom: Driven by a desire to maintain artistic integrity, Auden left England to avoid institutional constraints, yet remained emotionally tied to his homeland.

• Enduring Relevance: Auden’s exploration of identity, belonging, and nationalism continues to resonate in today’s globalized world.

Notable Quotes:

• Jack Wilson [01:00]: "A home base? What relationship did Auden have with this land of his birth?"

• Nicholas Jenkins [15:28]: "When he started reading his notebooks, it was like seeing the heartbeat of his poetry come alive."

• Nicholas Jenkins [24:19]: "His poetry became a mirror to the anxieties and possibilities of his time."

• Nicholas Jenkins [43:06]: "Auden found ways to articulate his true self amidst a judgmental culture."

• Nicholas Jenkins [59:22]: "Auden's struggles with identity are a lens through which we can view our own contemporary challenges."

This episode offers a profound exploration of W.H. Auden's life and work, shedding light on the poet's intricate relationship with England, his artistic evolution, and the enduring relevance of his themes in modern discourse.