I.A.Richards Practical Criticism

      Practical Criticism by I.A. Richards

I'm writing this blog as a task assigned by our professor, on I.A. Richard Prcatical Criticism and examining the poem while problematizing it and focusing on the metaphors and pictures within it. I'm going to discuss about the poem of W.H.Auden which includes the concept of Practical Criticism.

MUSÉE DES BEAUX ARTS

by W.H. Auden

About suffering they were never wrong,

The Old Masters: how well they understood

Its human position; how it takes place 

While someone else is eating or opening a window or just walking dully along;

How, when the aged are reverently, passionately waiting

For the miraculous birth, there always must be 

Children who did not specially want it to happen, skating 

On a pond at the edge of the wood:

They never forgot That even the dreadful martyrdom must run its course 

Anyhow in a corner, some untidy spot 

Where the dogs go on with their doggy life and the torturer's horse 

Scratches its innocent behind on a tree.

In Breughel's Icarus, for instance: how everything turns away

Quite leisurely from the disaster; the ploughman may 

Have heard the splash, the forsaken cry, 

But for him it was not an important failure; the sun shone 

As it had to on the white legs disappearing into the green 

Water; and the expensive delicate ship that must have seen 

Something amazing, a boy falling out of the sky, 

Had somewhere to get to and sailed calmly on.

Examining the problematic questions:-

W. H. Auden, analyzed through the lens of New Criticism, focuses on the theme of indifference towards suffering and tragedy. The poem scrutinizes the way people often overlook human struggles depicted in art, emphasizing the detached perspective of the world. Through meticulous examination of the imagery and language, one can unravel the layers of meaning and explore how Auden challenges the reader to confront the callousness inherent in human nature. New Criticism encourages delving into the intricacies of the text, emphasizing the self-contained nature of the poem and the significance of every word and image chosen by the poet.

1.How does Auden navigate the tension between the public's indifference to human suffering?

2.In what ways does the poem challenge the traditional role of art as a vehicle for empathy and understanding?

3.Can the indifferent viewpoint portrayed in the poem be seen as a commentary on broader societal attitudes towards suffering?

4.How does the choice of the certain paintings mentioned in the poem contribute to Auden's evalution of indifference?

5.Is there an intended doubtfulness in Auden's language, and if so, how does it impact the interpretation of the poem in the context of New Criticism?

These questions aim to provoke deeper analysis and observation of the problematic aspects within "Musee des Beaux Arts" while considering the principles of New Criticism

Here are some metaphors identified in the Poem:-

"While someone else is eating or opening a window or just walking dully along" - Metaphorically describing the indifference or obliviousness of others to human suffering.

"When the aged are reverently, passionately waiting for the miraculous birth" - Metaphorically depicting the anticipation and reverence for a significant event.

"Children who did not specially want it to happen, skating on a pond at the edge of the wood" - Metaphorically suggesting the nonchalant attitude of some towards important events, using the image of children skating.

"Even the dreadful martyrdom must run its course anyhow in a corner, some untidy spot" - Metaphorically portraying the inevitability and often overlooked nature of suffering.

"Where the dogs go on with their doggy life and the torturer's horse scratches its innocent behind on a tree" - Metaphorically illustrating the continuation of everyday activities even in the presence of profound suffering.

"In Breughel's Icarus, for instance: how everything turns away quite leisurely from the disaster" - Metaphorically conveying the world's indifference to significant events, using the example of Breughel's painting.

"The ploughman may have heard the splash, the forsaken cry, but for him, it was not an important failure" - Metaphorically representing the lack of impact or significance for some individuals in the face of tragic events.

"The sun shone as it had to on the white legs disappearing into the green water" - Metaphorically describing the natural continuation of life, even when faced with tragedy.

"The expensive delicate ship that must have seen something amazing, a boy falling out of the sky, had somewhere to get to and sailed calmly on" - Metaphorically highlighting the detachment of certain elements, like the ship, from the profound moments of human experience.

These metaphors contribute to the poem's exploration of the human condition and the world's indifferent response to suffering.

I hope you found it helpfull. 

Thank you🌻