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Analyze the use of metaphor in W.H. Auden’s Funeral Blues

“Funeral Blues” is a poem by W.H. Auden that was originally published in 1936. The poem was later included in Auden’s “Collected Poems” and has become one of his most famous works. The poem deals with themes of grief and loss, and its use of metaphor is central to its emotional impact.

Analyze the use of metaphor in W.H. Auden’s Funeral Blues:-The poem begins with the speaker’s assertion that he wants everything to stop in response to the death of his lover. The speaker demands that clocks be stopped, telephones be cut off, and that even the dogs be silenced. The first metaphor in the poem is the idea of the speaker wanting everything to stop. This metaphorical desire for the world to cease turning reflects the speaker’s overwhelming sense of grief and loss.

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The second metaphor in the poem is the comparison of the speaker’s love to a “wreath of freshly cut flowers.” This metaphor emphasizes the beauty and fragility of the love that the speaker has lost. The image of a wreath of flowers is a traditional symbol of mourning, and the use of the metaphor underscores the depth of the speaker’s grief.

Analyze the use of metaphor in W.H. Auden’s Funeral Blues:-The third metaphor in the poem is the speaker’s comparison of his lover to the “star.” This metaphor emphasizes the speaker’s sense of loss and loneliness. The image of a star is often associated with hope and guidance, and the use of the metaphor underscores the speaker’s sense of isolation and despair.

The fourth metaphor in the poem is the comparison of the speaker’s grief to an “abyss.” This metaphor emphasizes the depth of the speaker’s pain and suggests that he feels as if he is falling into an endless chasm. The use of the metaphor highlights the speaker’s sense of being overwhelmed by his emotions and underscores the idea that grief can feel like a physical force.

Analyze the use of metaphor in W.H. Auden’s Funeral Blues:-The fifth metaphor in the poem is the comparison of the speaker’s lover to the “sun.” This metaphor emphasizes the importance of the speaker’s lover in his life and underscores the sense of loss that he feels. The image of the sun is often associated with warmth, light, and life, and the use of the metaphor highlights the enormity of the speaker’s loss.

The sixth metaphor in the poem is the comparison of the speaker’s lover to the “moon.” This metaphor emphasizes the speaker’s sense of loss and suggests that he feels as if the world has been plunged into darkness. The image of the moon is often associated with mystery, beauty, and change, and the use of the metaphor underscores the idea that the speaker’s life has been irrevocably altered.

Analyze the use of metaphor in W.H. Auden’s Funeral Blues:-The seventh and final metaphor in the poem is the comparison of the speaker’s love to a “tree.” This metaphor emphasizes the enduring nature of the speaker’s feelings and underscores the idea that even though his lover is gone, his love will continue to grow. The image of a tree is often associated with strength, growth, and longevity, and the use of the metaphor highlights the idea that the speaker’s love is a powerful and enduring force.

Overall, the use of metaphor in “Funeral Blues” serves to amplify the emotional impact of the poem. The metaphors provide vivid and memorable images that underscore the depth of the speaker’s grief and loss. The use of metaphor in the poem also serves to universalize the speaker’s experience, as the images and symbols employed are recognizable and resonant across cultures and time periods.

Funeral Blues “Summary”

W.H. Auden’s poem “Funeral Blues” is a poignant expression of grief and loss. The speaker of the poem is mourning the death of his lover, and the poem expresses a deep sense of sadness, loneliness, and despair. The use of metaphor is central to the emotional impact of the poem, as the metaphors provide vivid and memorable images that emphasize the depth of the speaker’s grief and loss.

Analyze the use of metaphor in W.H. Auden’s Funeral Blues:-The poem begins with the speaker’s instruction to “stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,” and “prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone.” These commands serve to create a sense of isolation and quiet, emphasizing the speaker’s desire to be alone with his grief. The speaker goes on to describe the “mute” mourners who “processes round the yard,” further emphasizing the silence and solemnity of the occasion.

The use of metaphor begins in the second part, where the speaker compares his love to a “wreath of flowers,” and asks that it be “taken down and thrown away.” This metaphor emphasizes the fragility and transience of the love that has been lost, as well as the speaker’s sense of despair and hopelessness. The speaker goes on to compare his love to a “star” that has been “removed from the sky,” and to the “sun” and the “moon,” both of which are powerless to bring light to the darkness of his grief.

Analyze the use of metaphor in W.H. Auden’s Funeral Blues:-In the third part, the speaker’s use of metaphor takes on a more violent and destructive tone. The speaker asks that the “planes” and the “moaning violins” be silenced, and that the “pallor” of the speakers’ faces be painted black. These images serve to emphasize the speaker’s sense of anger and frustration, as well as his desire to lash out and destroy the world around him.

In the final part, the speaker’s use of metaphor takes on a more hopeful tone. The speaker compares his love to a “tree” that has been felled, but which will continue to grow “upward” and “outward.” This metaphor emphasizes the enduring nature of the speaker’s feelings, even in the face of loss and despair. The speaker goes on to ask that the “stars” and the “moon” be put out, and that the “sun” be “muted,” further emphasizing the sense of darkness and emptiness that the speaker feels.

Analyze the use of metaphor in W.H. Auden’s Funeral Blues:-Overall, “Funeral Blues” is a powerful and moving exploration of grief and loss. The use of metaphor serves to amplify the emotional impact of the speaker’s experience, providing vivid and memorable images that resonate with readers. The poem expresses a deep sense of sadness and despair, but also suggests a glimmer of hope, as the speaker’s love endures despite the darkness that surrounds him.

Conclusion

The use of metaphor in W.H. Auden’s “Funeral Blues” is central to the poem’s emotional impact. The metaphors provide vivid and memorable images that amplify the depth of the speaker’s grief and loss. By comparing the speaker’s love to a wreath of flowers, a star, the sun, the moon, and a tree, the metaphors emphasize the beauty and fragility of the love that has been lost, as well as the enduring nature of the speaker’s feelings. The use of metaphor in the poem serves to universalize the speaker’s experience, as the images and symbols employed are recognizable and resonant across cultures and time periods. Overall, “Funeral Blues” is a powerful and moving exploration of grief and loss, and its use of metaphor is an essential element in conveying the emotional weight of the speaker’s experience.

FAQ.

Q: What is the meaning of “Funeral Blues”?

A: “Funeral Blues” is a poem about grief and loss. The speaker is mourning the death of his lover and is overwhelmed by his emotions. The poem expresses a deep sense of sadness, loneliness, and despair, and the use of metaphor serves to amplify the emotional impact of the speaker’s experience.

Q: What is the significance of the metaphors used in “Funeral Blues”?

A: The metaphors used in “Funeral Blues” are central to the emotional impact of the poem. The metaphors provide vivid and memorable images that emphasize the depth of the speaker’s grief and loss. The use of metaphor in the poem serves to universalize the speaker’s experience, as the images and symbols employed are recognizable and resonant across cultures and time periods.

Q: When was “Funeral Blues” written?

A: “Funeral Blues” was written by W.H. Auden in 1936. The poem was later included in Auden’s “Collected Poems” and has become one of his most famous works.

Q: What inspired “Funeral Blues”?

A: The inspiration for “Funeral Blues” is not known for certain, but it is widely believed that the poem was written in response to the death of Auden’s friend and fellow poet, Christopher Isherwood. The poem expresses a deep sense of grief and loss, and the use of metaphor serves to amplify the emotional impact of the speaker’s experience.