1st September 1939

the story is told through ...

1. The poem is written in free verse and has an irregular rhythm's and rhyming pattern. This could be to represent how the countries during this time period were unstable.
2. The title is the date that Britain declared war on Germany
3. The poem is written from the point of view of Auden - dramatic monologue.
4. The poem is written subjectively.
5. Their are lots of references to dictators and America's ignorance of the war at the beginning (America did not join the war until 1942) eg "Into this neutral air"
6. Linz - Hitlers birth place.
7. Auden refers to many Historical figures - Thucydides (Greek historian), Nijinsky and Diaghilev who were Gay lovers and choreographer and dancer for a Ballet Rous.
8. Auden also makes a lot of jabs at Dictators and Hitler eg "a psychopathic god" and "to be loved alone"
9. Line 46 the word "cling" shows desperation.
10. Lots of enjambment throughout the poem.  
11. Use of collective voice, lines 71 - 72
12. rhyme of pain and again symbolises the pain of history repeating itself.
13. The poem is overall very negative