Poem Analysis - Musee Des Beaux Arts

W.H. Auden's "Musée des Beaux Arts" is a contemplative and somewhat detached observation on the nature of suffering. The poem, inspired by paintings in a museum (Musée des Beaux Arts meaning Museum of Fine Arts in French), explores how human suffering often goes unnoticed or is simply ignored in the grand scheme of everyday life. The tone is initially observational and academic, almost clinical, but shifts subtly towards a more resigned acceptance of this uncomfortable truth. This makes the poem a meditation on empathy, or the lack thereof, and the human tendency to prioritize personal concerns over the pain of others.

Historical Context and Inspiration

While a deep dive into Auden's personal life isn't strictly necessary, it's worth noting that the poem was written in 1938, on the eve of World War II. This historical context of impending global suffering likely informed Auden's reflections on the way individuals and societies often fail to fully recognize or respond to the pain of others. The poem's focus on paintings depicting suffering and martyrdom, set against the backdrop of ordinary life, could be seen as a commentary on the world's seeming indifference to the escalating crisis in Europe.

The Centrality of Indifference

One of the poem's central themes is the indifference of the world to individual suffering. Auden emphasizes this through the depiction of mundane activities continuing uninterrupted even in the face of extraordinary events. He highlights this indifference by contrasting the intensity of suffering with the banality of everyday life, noting how it "takes place / While someone else is eating or opening a window or just walking dully along." This juxtaposition serves to underscore the pervasive nature of indifference and how easily suffering can be overlooked or dismissed.

The Poem's Exploration of Human Neglect

Another major theme revolves around the idea of human neglect. The poem suggests that even when suffering is visible, people are often too preoccupied with their own lives to fully acknowledge or respond to it. The children skating on the pond while the aged wait for the miraculous birth are a powerful representation of this. Their youthful disinterest highlights the human capacity to be absorbed in personal pursuits, even when surrounded by profound events or the anticipation thereof. This suggests a fundamental disconnect between individual experiences and the broader human condition.

The Mundanity of Martyrdom

The poem also deals with the theme of the banality of evil. The lines about martyrdom running its course "Anyhow in a corner, some untidy spot / Where the dogs go on with their doggy life and the torturer's horse / Scratches its innocent behind on a tree" illustrate how even the most horrific events can become commonplace and easily ignored. The image of the torturer's horse scratching itself on a tree, seemingly oblivious to the suffering it indirectly facilitates, underscores the disturbing normalcy with which evil and suffering can coexist. This challenges the romanticized or heroic portrayals of martyrdom, presenting it instead as an unglamorous and often overlooked occurrence.

Symbolism and Vivid Imagery

The painting of Icarus by Breughel provides the poem's most potent image. Icarus's fall, a dramatic and tragic event, is relegated to the background of the painting, almost unnoticed. The sun shining on his disappearing legs symbolizes the world's indifference to his demise. The ploughman, the ship, and the sun all act as symbols of the everyday world continuing its course, oblivious to the individual tragedy unfolding. Auden's use of vivid imagery, such as "white legs disappearing into the green / Water," further emphasizes the stark contrast between the dramatic event and the ordinary surroundings.

A Final Insight

In conclusion, "Musée des Beaux Arts" is a powerful and unsettling poem that forces us to confront our own capacity for indifference. By examining the way Old Masters depicted suffering in their paintings, Auden reveals a profound truth about the human condition: that we often prioritize our own lives and concerns over the pain of others. The poem's enduring significance lies in its ability to challenge our complacency and prompt us to consider the ethical implications of our own indifference in a world filled with suffering.