The Orators: An English Study

This is W.H. Auden's second published work, 'The Orators,' authored by the leading modernist poet and thinker. It is steeped in the tradition of modernism, showcasing all the hallmark features of modernist literature, including experiments in voice, poetic form, and subjective experience. It holds significant importance as a contributor to modernist poetry. The composition weaves together prose and interlocking verses, characterized by the language and form dislocation typical of modernist works. Within this piece, Auden emphasizes the close relationship between language and power. This collection marks a crucial phase in Auden's poetic career, containing poems that mirror his involvement with contemporary political and social matters.
On the front free endpaper, there is a gift inscription from Gabriel Carritt to a Michael Caine. Gabriel Carritt was a member of the renowned anti-fascist 'Carritt Family,' and their residence became a focal point for Marxist debates. W.H. Auden was known to attend and engage in these discussions, establishing a friendship with the family. It can be inferred that his involvement in these social and political debates influenced his exploration of such themes in 'The Orators'.