A Reader's Guide to Essential Criticism
Paul Hendon introduces some critical paths through Auden's demanding poetry by drawing upon material ranging from contemporary reviews and comments by fellow poets, to more recent scholarly and theoretical approaches. There is an overview of Auden's life and works, useful for readers new to the poet, while subsequent chapters discuss key critical themes through selected extracts. Issues such as the ambiguity of Auden's politics, his return to Christian faith, and his attitude to history, criticism and art are discussed, while the critical arguments surrounding his "defection" to America and the significance of the increasingly domestic nature of his later work are assessed. The book concludes with a discursive summary of the main critical works of Auden.
'Icon Readers' Guides' explore the key critical material relating to major works of world literature. A clear, informative narrative links the extracts and examines their context and importance. From contemporary reviews to postmodern readings, the Guides offer you a full account of the ways in which the works have been received by academics, critics and the public.
