“For The Time Being” by W. H. Auden: Analysis

Introduction: “For The Time Being” by W. H. Auden

“For the Time Being” by W. H. Auden, written in the shadow of World War II, offers a poignant reflection on faith and doubt during a time of global crisis. The poem grapples with the elusive nature of spiritual experience and the struggle to reconcile the promise of Christmas with the harsh realities of the world. Auden’s exploration of individual and societal responses to spiritual disillusionment resonates deeply within its historical context and continues to speak to contemporary audiences.

1. Well, so that is that. Now we must dismantle the tree,
2. Putting the decorations back into their cardboard boxes —
3. Some have got broken — and carrying them up to the attic.
4. The holly and the mistletoe must be taken down and burnt,
5. And the children got ready for school. There are enough
6. Left-overs to do, warmed-up, for the rest of the week —
7. Not that we have much appetite, having drunk such a lot,
8. Stayed up so late, attempted — quite unsuccessfully —
9. To love all of our relatives, and in general
10. Grossly overestimated our powers. Once again
11. As in previous years we have seen the actual Vision and failed
12. To do more than entertain it as an agreeable
13. Possibility, once again we have sent Him away,
14. Begging though to remain His disobedient servant,
15. The promising child who cannot keep His word for long.
16. The Christmas Feast is already a fading memory,
17. And already the mind begins to be vaguely aware
18. Of an unpleasant whiff of apprehension at the thought
19. Of Lent and Good Friday which cannot, after all, now
20. Be very far off. But, for the time being, here we all are,
21. Back in the moderate Aristotelian city
22. Of darning and the Eight-Fifteen, where Euclid’s geometry
23. And Newton’s mechanics would account for our experience,
24. And the kitchen table exists because I scrub it.
25. It seems to have shrunk during the holidays. The streets
26. Are much narrower than we remembered; we had forgotten
27. The office was as depressing as this. To those who have seen
28. The Child, however dimly, however incredulously,
29. The Time Being is, in a sense, the most trying time of all.
30. For the innocent children who whispered so excitedly
31. Outside the locked door where they knew the presents to be
32. Grew up when it opened. Now, recollecting that moment
33. We can repress the joy, but the guilt remains conscious;
34. Remembering the stable where for once in our lives
35. Everything became a You and nothing was an It.
36. And craving the sensation but ignoring the cause,
37. We look round for something, no matter what, to inhibit
38. Our self-reflection, and the obvious thing for that purpose
39. Would be some great suffering. So, once we have met the Son,
40. We are tempted ever after to pray to the Father;
41. “Lead us into temptation and evil for our sake.”
42. They will come, all right, don’t worry; probably in a form
43. That we do not expect, and certainly with a force
44. More dreadful than we can imagine. In the meantime
45. There are bills to be paid, machines to keep in repair,
46. Irregular verbs to learn, the Time Being to redeem
47. From insignificance. The happy morning is over,
48. The night of agony still to come; the time is noon:
49. When the Spirit must practice his scales of rejoicing
50. Without even a hostile audience, and the Soul endure
51. A silence that is neither for nor against her faith
52. That God’s Will will be done, That, in spite of her prayers,
53. God will cheat no one, not even the world of its triumph.

Annotations of “For The Time Being” by W. H. Auden

Lines	Annotations
1-9	These lines establish a somber tone of post-holiday anticlimax. The physical actions of dismantling decorations symbolize the emotional dismantling of festive spirit. The broken ornaments represent the ephemeral nature of joy.
10-15	The cyclical pattern of spiritual aspiration and failure is highlighted. “The Vision” refers to the profound spiritual significance of Christ’s birth, which the speaker and society at large fail to integrate into their daily lives.
16-20	The fading joy of Christmas underscores the impending spiritual trials of Lent and Good Friday. The phrase “for the time being” emphasizes the transitory nature of this respite before the introspection Lent demands.
21-24	The poem establishes a contrast between the heightened spirituality of the Christmas season and the return to a mundane world governed by rationality and routine (“the moderate Aristotelian city”).
25-27	The world seems diminished post-holiday, with streets narrower and the office more oppressive, echoing the speaker’s shrunken perspective.
28-29	For those who’ve experienced a glimpse of spiritual revelation, the ordinary world (“The Time Being”) becomes particularly difficult to bear.
30-35	This section explores the juxtaposition of childlike Christmas joy and adult guilt over failing to uphold learned spiritual ideals. The “stable” symbolizes a moment of profound spiritual connection.
36-44	The poem delves into the human desire to avoid introspection through external suffering or distraction. There’s a paradoxical temptation to seek pain after spiritual elevation.
45-53	These lines emphasize the necessity of perseverance in faith. Despite the fading joy and encroaching spiritual challenges, the daily tasks of life and the work of spiritual redemption must continue.

Literary and Poetic Devices in “For The Time Being” by W. H. Auden

1. Alliteration: The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words for emphasis and musicality. Example: “Weeping with a weeping world”
2. Allusion: A reference to a historical event, cultural figure, or other literary work, adding layers of meaning. Example: Auden’s allusions to Biblical narratives and figures.
3. Anaphora: Repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive lines or clauses. Example: “He is the Way. / Follow Him…”
4. Apostrophe: Directly addressing an absent person, abstract concept, or inanimate object. Example: “O Light Invisible, we praise Thee!”
5. Diction: The poet’s specific word choice, contributing to tone and meaning. Example: Auden contrasts archaic diction (“Thee,” “spake”) with modern anxieties.
6. Dramatic Monologue: A poem spoken from the perspective of a single character, revealing their inner thoughts and motivations. Example: Herod’s monologue, expressing his paranoia.
7. Hyperbole: Exaggeration for emphasis or dramatic effect. Example: “Wise Men wonder what we mean.”
8. Imagery: Vivid use of language to evoke the senses, creating a mental picture. Example: “The summerless climates where the abscess pries”
9. Irony: A contrast between what is said and what is meant, often creating a sense of humor or exposing contradictions. Example: Herod’s feigned concern for finding the Christ child.
10. Metaphor: A comparison between two things without using “like” or “as”, suggesting deeper similarity. Example: The star as a metaphor for divine guidance.
11. Paradox: A statement that seems contradictory but reveals a deeper truth. Example: “Now they are departed… they are everywhere”
12. Personification: Giving human qualities to non-human entities or abstractions. Example: “Justice will be done”
13. Repetition: Repeating words, phrases, or ideas for emphasis or to create rhythm. Example: The repetition of “He is…” in the Simeon’s narrative.
14. Simile: A comparison using “like” or “as” to highlight a connection. Example: “The night is like the mind.”
15. Symbolism: Use of objects, people, or places to represent abstract ideas. Example: The star as a symbol of hope and guidance.

Functions of Literary Devices in “For The Time Being” by W. H. Auden

1. Allusion: Auden’s extensive use of Biblical allusions (especially the Nativity story) adds layers of meaning and connects the poem to a broader cultural and spiritual context. It reinforces the timeless and universal struggle between good and evil, faith and doubt within the Christmas story.
2. Dramatic Monologues: Auden uses characters like Herod and Simeon to express distinct viewpoints and anxieties, creating a multifaceted exploration of faith, modernity, and human psychology. This allows for complex and contradictory perspectives, refusing to offer simple answers or clear moral judgements.
3. Imagery: Vivid sensory language contributes to the shifting moods of the poem, from despair with images of “summerless climates” to hope with metaphors of light and stars. This imagery helps make abstract concepts of loss, faith, and potential renewal more tangible for the reader.
4. Symbolism: Auden weaves symbols throughout, like the Star, which embodies hope and guidance even in the darkest times. These symbols contribute to the poem’s complexity, leaving room for multiple interpretations and adding emotional resonance to its abstract themes.

Themes in “For The Time Being” by W. H. Auden

Theme	Explanation	Lines from the Poem
The Search for Meaning in a Modern World	Auden explores the tension between faith and doubt in a world marked by war, suffering, and uncertainty.	“All the ports are darkened and all the plains extinct… The world, we thought, had been redeemed.”
The Paradox of the Incarnation	The poem wrestles with the concept of the divine entering the ordinary world – an act of profound humility and vulnerability.	“In the unlikely event of there being a God… Could He really choose such a place and such a people?”
The Cyclical Nature of Time	Auden juxtaposes the historical moment of Christ’s birth with the “time being” of the reader’s present, emphasizing the ongoing relevance of the Nativity story.	“Because in a time of disorder, he has tidied our room… is the kind of Person we might hope to meet.”
The Struggle Between Good and Evil	The poem acknowledges the existence of darkness and despair, embodied in figures like Herod, while asserting the enduring potential for hope and renewal.	“[Herod]: For the wicked man, the world he wishes / Is always a world impossible to live in.”
Human Responsibility and Free Will	Characters grapple with moral choices, while the poem suggests that faith is an active choice, not merely a passive acceptance.	“All our choices are important… At all times our lives are important.”

Literary Theories and “For The Time Being” by W. H. Auden

• New Criticism:
• Analyze the internal structure of the poem, focusing on word choice, imagery, symbolism, and formal elements like rhyme and meter.
• Consider how Auden uses poetic techniques to create ambiguity and complex tonal shifts within the text.

·  Psychoanalytic Criticism:

• Analyze the psychological motivations of characters like Herod and Simeon, exploring their internal conflicts and anxieties.
• Explore themes of unconscious desire, repression, and potential anxieties around the concept of divine incarnation.

·  Marxist Criticism:

• Analyze power dynamics in the poem, such as Herod’s political authority contrasted with the vulnerable “lowly” birth of Christ.
• Consider how the poem critiques materialism, social inequality, and abuses of power within the context of a Christian framework.

·  Existentialism:

• Explore the poem’s focus on individual choice and responsibility within the context of faith.
• Analyze how the characters confront the anxieties of existence, uncertainty, and the search for meaning in a world that seems indifferent.

Topics, Questions and Thesis Statements about “For The Time Being” by W. H. Auden

Topics

• The Role of Allusion in “For the Time Being”
• Faith vs. Doubt in Auden’s Oratorio
• Character Analysis in “For the Time Being” (Focus on a specific figure like Herod or Simeon)
• The Representation of Time in the Poem
• Symbolism and Meaning in Auden’s Oratorio

Essay Questions

• How does Auden use literary devices to create a sense of spiritual and emotional conflict within “For the Time Being”?
• Analyze the ways in which the poem both upholds and challenges traditional representations of the Nativity story.
• Does the poem offer a hopeful resolution to its anxieties, or does it leave the reader with a sense of ambiguity?
• Analyze the portrayal of power in the poem. How does this relate to Auden’s personal and historical context?
• Compare and contrast “For the Time Being” to other Christmas-themed literary works. How does it diverge from tradition?

Thesis Statements

• W.H. Auden’s “For the Time Being” utilizes biblical allusion and shifting poetic forms to reflect the modern struggle for faith amidst a world burdened by doubt and uncertainty.
• Auden’s “For the Time Being” complicates the traditional Nativity narrative by presenting figures like Herod and Simeon as complex, psychologically conflicted individuals, mirroring the anxieties of the 20th century.
• In “For the Time Being,” Auden employs symbolism, vivid imagery, and contrasting tones to convey both the hope associated with the Nativity and the pervasive anxieties of the modern world.
• “For the Time Being” critiques power structures and materialism, offering a vision of faith rooted in humility and a focus on the present moment as a source of potential renewal.
• While rooted in Christian traditions, Auden’s “For the Time Being” explores themes of existential choice and responsibility, ultimately asking the reader to actively grapple with questions of faith in their own time.

Short Question-Answers about “For The Time Being” by W. H. Auden

Question	Answer
How does Auden challenge traditional Nativity narratives?	Auden disrupts the idealized Christmas story with images of war, suffering, and doubt (“O shut your bright eyes which confound the sun”). He depicts characters like Herod and Simeon as complex and flawed, mirroring modern anxieties.
What is the poem’s view on the relationship between faith and doubt?	The poem acknowledges the constant tension between faith and doubt, particularly within the “time being” of the modern world. Yet, it suggests a resilient hope despite uncertainty, seen in characters like the Shepherds and Simeon.
How is time portrayed in the poem?	Auden juxtaposes the historical moment of Christ’s birth with the “time being” of the reader’s present, emphasizing the ongoing relevance of the Nativity story. He highlights the potential for renewal and the importance of actively choosing faith within a cyclical view of time.
What is one key literary technique Auden uses?	Auden employs dramatic monologues for characters like Herod and Simeon, giving voice to their distinct and often contradictory perspectives. This contributes to the poem’s nuanced exploration of faith, morality, and human nature.

Literary Works Similar to “For The Time Being” by W. H. Auden

1. T.S. Eliot’s “Journey of the Magi”: This modernist poem offers a resonant exploration of faith, doubt, and the challenges of spiritual transformation. Both Auden and Eliot employ dramatic techniques, fragmented imagery, and a questioning tone to depict a complex spiritual landscape.
2. Gerard Manley Hopkins’ religious poetry: Hopkins’ deeply devotional work shares some stylistic similarities with Auden – intensity of language, metrical experimentation, and a grappling with profound spiritual questions. A key contrast lies in their frameworks: Hopkins’ devout Catholicism vs. Auden’s more ambiguous and questioning spirituality.
3. Milton’s “Paradise Lost”: A foundational work of English literature, “Paradise Lost” shares thematic concerns with “For the Time Being” – exploring temptation, the struggle between good and evil, and humanity’s place within a divine cosmology. Their stark difference lies in Milton’s unwavering Christian perspective, contrasting with Auden’s 20th-century questioning.
4. Contemporary Christmas-themed Poetry: Exploring less traditional poetic responses to the Christmas story offers interesting contrasts with Auden’s approach. Such poems might reflect secular viewpoints, address modern social concerns, or employ diverse poetic forms, illuminating Auden’s unique place within this broader conversation.
5. Other works by W.H. Auden: Analyzing poems like “Musée des Beaux Arts” or “September 1, 1939” alongside “For the Time Being” would reveal thematic connections and demonstrate the breadth of Auden’s poetic voice, illuminating his recurring concerns with faith, modernity, and human psychology.

Suggested Readings: “For The Time Being” by W. H. Auden

Books

• Bloom, Harold, ed. W.H. Auden. Chelsea House Publishers, 2004. (Includes essays exploring Auden’s work and may contain analysis specific to “For the Time Being”).
• Davenport-Hines, Richard. Auden. Heinemann, 1995. (A comprehensive biography offering insights into Auden’s life experiences that influenced his poetry).
• Mendelson, Edward. Early Auden. Faber & Faber, 1981. (Focuses on Auden’s earlier work, providing context for understanding “For the Time Being” within his development).

Articles

• Callan, Edward. “Auden’s ‘New Year Letter’ and ‘For the Time Being.'” Twentieth Century Literature, vol. 13, no. 4, Hofstra University, 1967, pp. 221-230. JSTOR, [invalid URL removed]. (Analyzes thematic parallels between two significant longer poems by Auden).
• Spears, Monroe K. The Poetry of W.H. Auden: The Disenchanted Island. Oxford University Press, 1963. (Offers analysis of Auden’s overall poetic approach and includes discussion of “For the Time Being”).

Websites

• The W.H. Auden Society: (Offers resources including critical essays, biographical information, and news about Auden-related scholarship)
• Modern American Poetry: (Features biographical information, a selection of Auden’s poems, and links to critical articles).