What is the main idea of this poem?!?

Question

the poem is called

Spetember 1,1939

its by W.H. Auden.

please explain what you think is the main idea of this poem.

thank you! =D

heres a link to the poem

http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15545

Answer 1

Sorry, I went a little overboard in analyzing this.  I was enjoying myself because it's a good poem.

The first few stanzas examine the atmosphere in pre-WW2 Germany that led up to the n**i regime.  There are mentions of "Linz" (Hitlers birthplace), Luther, and a "Psychopathic God" (Hitler).  Furthermore the phrase "Those to whom evil is done do evil in return" suggests the unreasonable and excessive punishments of the Treaty of Versailles.  He also points to this idea (an eye for an eye) as one of the main causes of our worlds problems.

The next few stanzas examine the atmosphere of worry and despair that the author saw in the world at the time.  He sees it not only in dictatorships, but in socialism, and  the "apathetic grave" that is a  modern democracy.  He then points out that neither the average man (dense commuters) nor the statesmen (helpless governors) can speak for the weak and disenfranchised.  He finally admits that he has a voice and must attempt to speak for them.

It is here that he delivers his main claim.  Basically he states that people are dependent upon each other for love, interaction, and ultimately for survival.  This dependency is innate and exists on a different level from the bond created by nationality.  It is as a result of this that he writes, "We must love one another or die."  The final stanza offers a note of hope by suggesting that there are others like him who have a voice and the ability to inspire change towards this ideal.