Poem Analysis - A New Year Greeting

A Unique New Year's Toast

W.H. Auden's "A New Year Greeting" is a whimsical and thought-provoking address, not to fellow humans, but to the microscopic life inhabiting his body. The poem adopts a tone of detached amusement, offering both hospitality and a stern warning to his tiny tenants. The mood shifts from an almost jovial welcome to a more philosophical contemplation of existence and mortality, ultimately culminating in a sense of vulnerability.

Auden's Microscopic World: A Reflection of Humanity

Auden, writing in the mid-20th century, lived in a world increasingly aware of scientific discoveries and the interconnectedness of life. His poem seems to reflect this awareness, turning the human body into a microcosm mirroring the larger world. While specific historical events might not directly influence the poem, Auden's intellectual curiosity and his concern with morality and human nature are evident. The poem can be seen as a playful exploration of the relationship between the individual (the host) and the community (the microorganisms), echoing broader social and political themes of the time.

Thematic Threads: Symbiosis, Control, and Mortality

One central theme is symbiosis, exploring the delicate balance between host and inhabitant. Auden acknowledges the mutual benefit of this relationship, providing a home in exchange for unobtrusive behavior. Another theme is the illusion of control. While he offers 'free choice of habitat,' he also sets strict rules, dictating acceptable behavior and threatening dire consequences for violations. Finally, the poem confronts the inevitability of mortality. The final stanza reveals a chilling awareness of his own impermanence and the eventual "Day of Apocalypse" for his microscopic guests, highlighting the shared fate of all living things.

Vivid Imagery and the Human Body as Landscape

Auden uses vivid imagery to transform the human body into a diverse landscape. He describes "pools of my pores," "tropical forests of arm-pit and crotch," and "deserts of my fore-arms," creating a fantastical world within his own skin. This imagery serves to emphasize the vastness of this inner world and the multitude of life it contains. The "hurricanes that come / twice every twenty-four hours," referring to dressing and undressing, are a particularly striking image, symbolizing the unpredictable forces that shape the lives of these tiny inhabitants and suggesting the arbitrary power the host wields.

Microscopic Gods and Ethical Dilemmas

The poem raises intriguing questions about ethics and the nature of divinity. If the microorganisms were "religious folk," how would they explain the "unmerited suffering" caused by the host's actions? This line prompts us to consider our own relationship with the natural world and the impact of our choices on other living beings. Are we, like the host in the poem, unknowingly causing destruction in the lives of those smaller and less powerful than ourselves? The poem doesn't offer easy answers, instead posing a thought-provoking challenge to our own perspectives.

A Fleeting Ecosystem, A Shared Destiny

In conclusion, "A New Year Greeting" is a deceptively simple poem that delves into complex themes of symbiosis, control, and mortality. Through vivid imagery and a unique perspective, Auden invites us to consider our place in the grand scheme of things and the interconnectedness of all life. The poem ultimately serves as a reminder of our own fleeting existence and the shared fate we have with even the smallest of creatures, urging us to contemplate the ethical implications of our actions on the world around us and within us.