The Age of Auden: Postwar Poetry and the American Scene

Abstract

The text argues that W.H. Auden profoundly influenced American poets in the mid-20th century, particularly during and after World War II. Wasley challenges Auden’s claim that 'poetry makes nothing happen' by demonstrating how his work and persona shaped America's literary landscape. The book highlights Auden’s role as a mentor and selector for the Yale Series of Younger Poets, fostering a creative environment where younger poets adopted his stylistic and thematic approaches. Wasley’s analysis is meticulously researched, drawing on personal correspondence and critical assessments to substantiate Auden’s impact on poets like James Merrill, John Ashbery, and Adrienne Rich. The book explores themes of influence, mentorship, poetry’s societal role, and transatlantic literary exchange, adopting a biographical and reception-based approach rooted in New Historicism.

(The abstract and keywords were prepared retrospectively for indexing purposes using AI-assisted tools and editorial review, based on the original article. They did not appear in the original publication.)