O What Is That Sound

Auden intensifies the tension between people and politics by representing

the corruption and betrayal of government on society through his ballad O
What Is That Sound. Through the dual perspective within the poem, Auden
initially provokes a sense of lightness and joy through the emotive use of
thrills of the drumming, drummingscarlet soldiers. The rhythmic
marching of the soldiers emphasises a sense of security. Auden,
however, hints at the controlling nature of politics on society by
metaphorically representing the weapons as a tool for oppression. He
varies the pace and intensity of the questions, as the speakers become
more concerned; or perhaps a warning. It subtly implies a threat as
the soldiers move closer, creating doubt and anxiety. Through the
repetition of O, Auden shifts the celebrative tone, to one of concern. The
repetition of why in the third stanza represents the fear of the threat
signified through the religious imagery; why are you kneeling. Here,
Auden amplifies how political agendas reinforced by the military reinforce
fear. He also provokes a sense of guilt to suggest that the praying
represents his criticism on people who did not act, allowing political forces
to dictate their lives. The questions build in pace ad intensity, using the
form to replicate the emotions of the speakers. He emphasises the
imminent threat through the desperate tone of the farmer so cunning, so
cunning, implying that any member of society can potentially be a threat
to the people. The juxtaposition of the soldiers, now they are running to
they step lightly intensifies the fear within society through the
oppressive nature of government, as Auden critiques the betrayal of
government of its own people. Auden further represents his discontent of
the peoples inaction in the vows you swore to me deceiving, deceiving.
The repetition is used to emphasise the breach of trust and a sense of
desperation. Thus, Audens representation of the tension between people
and politics is effective in reiterating the political pressures emanating
from persecution.