Poem Analysis - The Fall Of Rome

A World in Decay: An Introduction

W.H. Auden's "The Fall of Rome" paints a grim picture of societal disintegration. The poem, though outwardly about the Roman Empire's decline, resonates with a broader sense of cultural breakdown. Its tone is detached and observational, almost clinical, as it catalogs various symptoms of collapse. The mood shifts subtly from a sense of chaotic activity to a profound stillness, highlighting the contrast between the outward appearance of civilization and the underlying emptiness within.

Echoes of History: The Weight of Rome

While Auden doesn't explicitly delve into the historical specifics of Rome's downfall, the poem is saturated with imagery that evokes a sense of decaying grandeur. The poem seems to take the historical example of Rome to comment on a generalized sense of cultural or civilizational decline rather than the specifics of roman history. References to "Caesar," "Cato," and "Marines" establish a Roman setting, but more importantly, they function as symbols of power, order, and tradition. The crumbling of these institutions suggests a broader loss of faith in established structures and values.

Disintegration and Apathy: The Central Themes

One central theme is the disintegration of societal order. This is evident in the poem's opening stanzas, which present images of physical and moral decay: "The piers are pummelled by the waves," "Outlaws fill the mountain caves," and "Agents of the Fisc pursue / Absconding tax-defaulters." These images illustrate a breakdown of infrastructure, lawlessness, and corruption, all contributing to a sense of societal unraveling. The theme of apathy and disillusionment permeates the poem. The "unimportant clerk" writing "I DO NOT LIKE MY WORK" is a powerful symbol of this. He represents the everyday citizen who is disconnected from the grand narratives of power and empire, focused only on personal dissatisfaction. Another prominent theme is the contrast between the private and public spheres. The poem highlights the disconnect between official pronouncements and private realities, with "Cerebrotonic Cato" extolling "Ancient Disciplines" while soldiers mutiny for basic needs. This tension suggests a hypocrisy at the heart of the empire, where outward appearances of order mask inner turmoil.

Symbols of Decline: From Sewers to Scarlet Legs

Several recurring symbols amplify the poem's message. The "sewers of provincial towns," where tax-defaulters hide, represent the moral decay and corruption festering beneath the surface of society. The "pink official form" symbolizes bureaucratic indifference and the dehumanizing nature of large institutions. The "little birds with scarlet legs" are perhaps the most striking image. They observe the "flu-infected city" with detached curiosity, representing a natural world untouched by human corruption and offering a bleak judgment on humanity's self-inflicted wounds. Their "speckled eggs" could also symbolize a fragile hope for future renewal, however unlikely.

Elsewhere: An Escape or an Indictment?

The final stanza, describing "Vast / Herds of reindeer" moving "silently and very fast," presents a stark contrast to the chaos and decay of Rome. This "elsewhere" could represent an escape from the corruption of civilization, a return to a simpler, more natural state. However, it could also be interpreted as an indictment of Rome's self-absorption and isolation. While Rome crumbles, life continues elsewhere, indifferent to its fate. This concluding image underscores the poem's overall message: that even the most powerful empires are ultimately transient and vulnerable, and that true vitality lies elsewhere, perhaps in the natural world or in simpler ways of life.