Poem Analysis - Horae Canonicae Nones

Auden's Post-Executional Landscape: Introduction

Auden's "Horae Canonicae: Nones" plunges us into the disquieting aftermath of a vaguely defined, yet undeniably violent, act. The poem is steeped in a sense of unease and disillusionment. It's a meditation on the moral consequences of collective action and the unsettling void that remains when the fervor has subsided. The tone shifts from initial shock and guilt to a weary resignation, ultimately seeking solace in escape and the body's involuntary restoration.

Echoes of Responsibility and a Vacant Public

One dominant theme is the diffusion of responsibility. The poem meticulously depicts the chilling normalcy that descends after a collective act of violence. The "faceless many" who were present during the event have vanished, leaving the perpetrators alone with their deed. This echoes the modern individual's tendency to disavow their part in larger social evils. Another theme is the emptiness of victory. The victors are left not with satisfaction but with an unbearable silence and the realization that their act has irrevocably altered the world. The poem further explores the theme of moral culpability, suggesting that despite attempts to rationalize or deny the deed, the consequences will forever haunt the perpetrators.

Madonna's Averted Gaze: Disillusionment and Judgment

A recurring image is that of the Madonna figures. They are associated with mercy and compassion, yet here they "turn their kind faces from us." This symbolizes a profound disillusionment and a sense of divine judgment. The Madonnas' rejection highlights the moral chasm that has opened between the perpetrators and the possibility of redemption. The poem suggests that the act has defiled even the most sacred spaces. The abandoned objects – "torn gloves, rusted kettles, abandoned branch-lines" – serve as potent symbols of uselessness and decay, reflecting the spiritual bankruptcy of the perpetrators after their act. These items, once integral to daily life, are now discarded reminders of a lost purpose.

The Deed's Unavoidable Shadow: Perpetual Awareness

The poem is riddled with the inescapable knowledge of their evil deed. The line, "Wherever the sun shines, brooks run, books are written, There will also be this death," suggests that violence is an intrinsic part of the human condition, a shadow that forever taints even the most beautiful and innocent aspects of life. No matter how they attempt to move on, they will always be "listening for the cry and stillness To follow after." They will forever be aware of the darkness that exists in everyday life. The poem seems to ask: Can humanity ever be freed from the cycle of violence?

Seeking Refuge: A Descent into the Subconscious

The poem ends with a desperate search for refuge. The final stanzas describe a flight into the subconscious, a realm of dreams and unsettling images. This retreat into the inner world represents an attempt to escape the unbearable weight of their actions. The reference to the "Double" writing in a dimly lit room suggests a confrontation with the darker aspects of the self, a recognition that the capacity for violence resides within each individual. The final image of the hawk, hens, bug, and deer watching the scene suggests that even the natural world is aware of the horror. Auden's poem shows humanity's struggle in the shadow of violence.