W. H. Auden, The Orators

Chris Baldick (Goldsmiths College, University of London)

Ed. by Chris Baldick, Goldsmiths College, University of London
The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 1.2.1.08: English Writing and Culture of the early Twentieth Century , 1900-1945.
Vol. editors: Chris Baldick (Goldsmiths College, University of London), Peter Childs (Birmingham Newman University), Louise McDonald (Birmingham Newman University), Andrew Radford (University of Glasgow)

Dates

First circulation or publication May 1932

Places

England (Publication/ performance)
Scotland (Country of Origin)

Genres and Modes

Poem collection

Resources

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The Orators: An English Study

(1932; revised 1934, 1966) is a nearly unclassifiable work in prose and verse by W. H. Auden. The English poet wrote it at the age of 24 in 1931, at Helensburgh, Scotland, where he was employed as a resident schoolmaster at Larchfield Academy – officially a Public School, reduced in practice to the functions of a prep school. His second published book, it can be regarded either as a single long poem with prose elements, or as an experimental dossier of poems and of varied prose pieces: parodic speeches, mock prayers, surrealistic catalogues, fictional diary entries, and even diagrams. This medley is loosely held together by obscure private mythologies of leadership, hero-worship, collective neurosis, espionage, homosexuality, and conspiratorial secrecy. Its…

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2106 words

Citation: Baldick, Chris. "The Orators". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 05 June 2019 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=4, accessed 19 April 2024.]

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