Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Wystan Hugh Auden's "Voltaire at Ferney" is a richly textured poetic portrait that explores the latter years of the Enlightenment philosopher Voltaire, focusing on his life at his estate in Ferney, near the French-Swiss border. The poem captures the complexity of Voltaire's character—his activism, his brilliance, his contributions to the Enlightenment, and his personal contradictions. Through vivid imagery, Auden offers a nuanced reflection on the interplay between personal contentment, public engagement, and the relentless pursuit of justice and reason.

The opening lines depict Voltaire in a moment of near contentment as he surveys his estate, a symbol of his retreat from and influence over the wider world. The casual interactions with his workers and the progress on his land reflect a man in control, at peace with his immediate surroundings, and yet the phrase "Almost happy now" suggests a lingering dissatisfaction or restlessness. The glittering Alps and the summer setting contrast with the turmoil and controversies of his past, emphasizing a momentary tranquility against a backdrop of lifelong struggle.

Auden juxtaposes this serene setting with the darker realities of Voltaire's broader concerns and endeavors. Far from Ferney, in Paris, his enemies conspire, and a blind old woman longs for death, craving the consolation of his letters. This shift in focus from the pastoral to the urban, from tranquility to suffering, underscores Voltaire's enduring commitment to combating injustice and falsehood. The poet's reflection, "‘Nothing is better than life.' But was it? Yes, the fight / Against the false and the unfair / Was always worth it," captures the essence of Voltaire's philosophy—that the value of life lies in the struggle for truth and justice, even when faced with the inevitability of death.

Auden skillfully uses the metaphor of a "holy war" to describe Voltaire's crusade against ignorance and oppression, portraying him as a leader of a childlike rebellion against "the infamous grown-ups." This depiction highlights Voltaire's cunning, his strategic use of satire and wit, and his willingness to employ deception and subterfuge in the service of a greater good. Yet, Auden also notes Voltaire's isolation in his battles, with contemporaries like Diderot and Rousseau depicted as either inadequate allies or unreliable figures.

The poem then shifts to Voltaire's awareness of the ongoing injustices in the world—"The night was full / of wrong, / Earthquakes and executions"—and his sense of personal responsibility to continue his work despite his advancing age and the certainty of death. The "horrible nurses / Itching to boil their children" symbolize the pernicious forces of superstition and tyranny that Voltaire spent his life combating. His conviction that only his verses might stem the tide of ignorance underscores the poet's belief in the power of words to effect change.

"Voltaire at Ferney" concludes with an image of the "uncomplaining stars" composing their "lucid song," a metaphor for the immutable order and beauty of the universe that stands in contrast to the chaos and suffering of human affairs. This cosmic perspective offers a sense of continuity and resilience, suggesting that the fight for enlightenment and justice is part of a larger, eternal order.

Through "Voltaire at Ferney," Auden crafts a multifaceted tribute to Voltaire, capturing the Enlightenment thinker's enduring legacy as a champion of reason and humanity. The poem itself becomes an act of homage, a recognition of the complexity of human endeavor, and a reflection on the enduring struggle against the forces that threaten to undermine human dignity and progress.

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