W.H Auden – September 19th 1939 The line “I sit in one of the dives” really brings out the state of the street; it gives it a downtrodden and gloomy atmosphere. “Uncertain and afraid as the clever hopes expire of a low dishonest decade”. Shows how fragile the people were at the time and how the promise of glory for the 30s turned into depression and war. “Waves of anger and fear, circulate over the bright …showed first 75 words of 581 total…

…showed last 75 words of 581 total…release them now? Who can reach the deaf? Who can speak for the dumb? Really makes you feel sorry for the politicians because they are stuck; they can’t stop playing the game of War. In the last three lines “Them” represents the politicians who Auden calls deaf and dumb. They cannot see the full picture, all that matters to them is the War, and no one can help them. They are in too deep.