Poem Analysis - They Wondered Why The Fruit Had Been Forbidden

Auden's Garden: Disillusionment and the Loss of Innocence

W.H. Auden's "They Wondered Why The Fruit Had Been Forbidden" presents a stark and unsentimental depiction of the expulsion from Eden. The poem's tone is initially detached, almost clinical, as it describes the characters' actions and their immediate aftermath. This quickly shifts to a more melancholic and ultimately despairing mood as the consequences of their actions become clear. The poem serves as a commentary on the nature of knowledge, freedom, and the painful process of growing up, suggesting that the acquisition of understanding comes at a considerable cost.

Echoes of a Lost Paradise: The Fall as Disappointment

One of the primary themes in the poem is the disappointment of knowledge. The opening line immediately undercuts any sense of epic transgression. The forbidden fruit "taught them nothing new." This suggests that the acquisition of forbidden knowledge, traditionally viewed as a pivotal moment of enlightenment, is ultimately underwhelming. The characters' immediate reaction is not fear or shame, but rather a subdued "hid their pride," implying a sense of anticlimactic realization that their actions have not profoundly altered them in the way they expected. This theme challenges the conventional narrative of the Fall, presenting it not as a moment of dramatic transformation, but as a moment of disillusionment.

The Price of Freedom: Wildness and Isolation

Another significant theme is the burden of freedom. Once expelled from their previous state, the characters experience a jarring disconnect. The poem highlights the loss of connection to their familiar surroundings: "the memory faded," the animals who once "aided" are now incomprehensible, and "the stream was dumb." This sense of isolation emphasizes the difficulty of navigating the world without the inherent understanding and harmony they previously possessed. "They wept and quarrelled: freedom was so wild" suggests that freedom, rather than being a liberating force, is initially overwhelming and chaotic. The poem implies that without guidance or established order, freedom can be a source of profound discomfort and conflict.

Vanishing Horizons: The Unattainable Nature of Maturity

The poem explores the theme of unattainable maturity. The image of "maturity as he ascended / Retired like a horizon from the child" powerfully illustrates the elusive nature of growth and understanding. Maturity is presented not as a destination that can be reached, but as an ever-receding goal. This suggests that the process of maturation is inherently frustrating, as the more one strives to achieve it, the further it seems to move away. The increasing "dangers and the punishments" further emphasize the hardships associated with growing up and the increasing responsibilities that come with it. The poem does not celebrate maturity, but rather portrays it as a constant struggle against insurmountable odds.

Symbols of Exclusion: Angels, Poets, and Legislators

The final couplet introduces powerful symbols of exclusion and unattainable return. The "way back" is "defended / Against the poet and the legislator." This suggests that both artistic insight (the poet) and societal order (the legislator) are powerless to reclaim the lost innocence. The "angels" guarding the way back can be interpreted as representatives of a divine authority that prohibits any return to a state of naive perfection. Perhaps this is a cynical commentary on the futility of trying to recapture a lost past, whether through art, law, or any other human endeavor. Is the poem suggesting that true innocence can only be understood after it has been lost, and is therefore always unattainable?

Auden's Lament: A Final Reflection on a Forfeited Paradise

In conclusion, Auden's "They Wondered Why The Fruit Had Been Forbidden" presents a bleak vision of the Fall, not as a grand tragedy but as a disillusioning experience that leads to isolation, conflict, and the realization that maturity is an ever-receding horizon. Through its detached tone, vivid imagery, and symbolic representation of key concepts, the poem offers a poignant meditation on the price of knowledge, the burden of freedom, and the impossibility of reclaiming a lost state of innocence. The poem leaves the reader with a sense of profound loss and a questioning perspective on the traditional narratives of growth and enlightenment.