WH The timeless and universal poetry of WH Auden transcends the barriers of the modernist period. O' What is that Sound, written in October 1932, and Spain, written in March 1937, both explore the effects of war and the loss of love. Although these two poems differ greatly in tone and technique, Auden continues to convey the universal themes to the modern reader. O'What is that Sound is a heartbreaking poem that recalls the suffering many people endure during times of war. Spain is Auden's account of the cruelty of civil conflict while serving in the Spanish Civil War of the late 1930s as a stretcher bearer. Both poems explore Auden's disillusionment with this context and seek to comment on the view of what it is to be human in the modern era. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on 'Why violent video games should not be banned'?Get the original essayO' What is that Sound and Spain describe the negative impacts of war on 'modern man' and the fears associated with the outbreak of the global crisis. conflict. O' What is that Sound captivates the reader in style through the use of rhyme and imagery, creates a frightening atmosphere that allows the reader to put themselves in the shoes of those at war. In the opening stanza we are introduced to the dialogue "Only the sun on their weapons, my dear, as they tread lightly." » Auden is deliberately vague about the weapons used by the soldiers, allowing the reader to interpret the time and place. Openly relating to the effects of war and how the human condition has manipulated our situations. Auden considers the effects of war as a physically and emotionally frightening experience in the excerpt “And their eyes burn” which refers to the indication that their lack of humanity was lost due to political oppression. Using this metaphor, he paints a picture in the reader's mind of red eyes being bloodshot from crying, causing massive destruction to themselves, having false hopes that were forced upon these families. Spain is also examining the effects of war on veterans and their warring family members and loved ones. The poem is about the past, present and future and how they affect us in times of war. Auden explores the idea of ​​the effects of war through the phrase: “Raise the vast military empires of the shark and the tiger, establish the brave township of the robin? It sounds like a cry from the country itself. The shark and the tiger represent the fiercest military forces on land and sea, while the robin's brave canton conveys a sense of honor. He further comments “Go down like a dove…or like a gentle engineer, but go down.” This is where Spain demands that anyone save it from its misery by any means possible. The image of a pleasant future is quickly swallowed up in today's fierce present. Today, death and murder are realities, and there are very few things that make life worth living. Even a hug must be condensed before it hurts the receiver. This is supported by Critic Bone when he says: "No one knows the controlling forces and there seems to be no one willing to accept responsibility for controlling those forces, which constitute the true dynamics of the story." » Likewise, Spain and O' What is that Sound expose the idea of ​​loss of love on "modern man" and the effects of dehumanization on love. Spain hypnotizes the reader through its dark visual images and metaphors, exploring the ideas that corruption has destroyed our.