Poem Analysis - Fridays Child

A World Divinely Abandoned: Introduction

W.H. Auden's "Friday's Child" is a contemplative and somewhat cynical exploration of faith, free will, and the nature of God in a world seemingly devoid of divine intervention. The poem opens with a sense of naive disappointment in a God who doesn't conform to childish expectations and evolves into a complex meditation on the implications of this perceived absence. The tone shifts from a disillusioned questioning to a resigned acceptance, tinged with both intellectual curiosity and a profound sense of uncertainty. Ultimately, the poem examines the paradoxical freedom and responsibility that arise when traditional religious frameworks crumble.

The Illusion of Choice and the Silence of God

One of the poem's central themes is the problematic nature of free will in the face of divine power. The initial stanza highlights the disappointment of realizing that God, contrary to childhood expectations, takes people at their word. "He told us we were free to choose / But, children as we were, we thought--- / 'Paternal Love will only use / Force in the last resort.'" This suggests a God who refrains from the expected paternal correction, leaving humanity adrift. This inaction leads to a world where "the bigger bangs" – significant events and consequences – are left to humanity, implying a divine abdication of responsibility. The subsequent stanzas further explore the idea of a distant and incomprehensible God who doesn't engage with humanity's understanding of right and wrong, which only deepens the feeling of a lack of divine guidance.

Deity's Absurdity and Human Agency

The poem grapples with the theme of divine incomprehensibility and its impact on human reverence. Auden presents a God who is "so odd / He lets the Adam whom He made / Perform the Acts of God?" This question challenges the conventional understanding of the divine role, suggesting a deity who has seemingly delegated its power to humanity. The poem argues that in the absence of direct divine intervention or comprehensible logic, the experience of faith becomes strained and even absurd. The line "Some try to, but who can?" encapsulates the difficulty of maintaining genuine awe in the face of a God who appears distant and detached from the world. This shift in divine participation forces humankind to actively shape its own fate and grapple with the consequences, whether good or bad.

Existential Uncertainty and The Shadow of Judgement

The specter of existential uncertainty looms large in the poem, particularly regarding the afterlife and ultimate meaning. The lines, "Now, did He really break the seal / And rise again? We dare not say; / But conscious unbelievers feel / Quite sure of Judgement Day," highlights a fundamental ambiguity. While traditional beliefs are questioned, there's still a lingering sense of accountability and fear of an unknown judgment. Even in the absence of faith, the concept of judgment persists, suggesting a deep-seated human need for order and consequence. This idea is heightened by the poem's ending, focusing on the image of Christ on the cross which offers a profound silence; a "total gain or loss" where humanity can only "guess" meaning.

The Crucifix: Symbol of Ambiguous Redemption

The image of the crucifix serves as a central symbol, representing both the possibility of redemption and the stark reality of human suffering. The lines "Meanwhile, a silence on the cross, / As dead as we shall ever be, / Speaks of some total gain or loss," invite contemplation of the meaning of Christ's sacrifice. Is it a symbol of ultimate redemption, or merely a testament to human cruelty and the arbitrary nature of suffering? This ambiguity is further emphasized in the final lines, where the speaker notes that "you and I are free / To guess from the insulted face / Just what Appearances He saves / By suffering in a public place / A death reserved for slaves." This forces readers to confront the brutal reality of the crucifixion and to question the purpose of suffering in a world where God is either absent or incomprehensible. This act which was at one point deemed redemptive, now becomes a source of confusion and uncertainty.

Freedom's Burden: Conclusion

"Friday's Child" ultimately explores the unsettling implications of a world where traditional religious certainties have eroded. The poem suggests that in the absence of a readily understandable divine plan, humanity is left with the burden of freedom, responsibility, and the constant negotiation of meaning. The lingering image of Christ on the cross encapsulates this ambiguity, forcing the reader to confront the paradox of a God who may or may not offer salvation. The poem does not offer easy answers, but rather invites us to grapple with the profound uncertainties of existence in a world where "we have no means of learning what / Is really going on."