Exploring the Subjectivity of Law and Love

Exploring the Poem "Law Like Love" by W. H. Auden

W. H. Auden's poem "Law Like Love" was penned in 1939 amidst the turmoil of World War II and reflects the poet's personal evolution. The poem is a meditation on the nature of law and love—two abstract, yet fundamental, human concepts. Auden challenges the reader to consider the subjective nature of law, which, despite its aspirations for objectivity, is deeply colored by individual perspectives and societal norms. The poem's free verse form and irregular rhyme scheme echo the theme of subjectivity, representing the myriad ways in which law is interpreted and applied by people of different ages, professions, and beliefs.

The Subjectivity of Law and Love

In "Law Like Love," Auden portrays law as an enigmatic concept that defies a singular interpretation, much like love. The poem's narrator seeks to understand law through the perspectives of various societal groups, including gardeners, the elderly, the youth, clergy, and judges. Each group's interpretation of law ranges from the gardener's comparison to the sun to the priest's alignment with divine commandments. This multiplicity of viewpoints underscores the inherently subjective nature of law, which is shaped by cultural and personal experiences. Auden suggests that while this subjectivity allows for flexibility and adaptability within legal systems, it also introduces the potential for inconsistency and a lack of a shared moral foundation.

Employing Literary Techniques in "Law Like Love"

Auden's use of literary devices in "Law Like Love" is instrumental in conveying the poem's central themes. Metaphors are utilized to depict the mutable nature of law, and similes draw parallels between law and love, highlighting their common attributes. The use of anaphora, or the repetition of phrases at the beginning of lines, is particularly prominent in the concluding stanzas, emphasizing the poem's contemplation of law and love as intertwined concepts. Alliteration contributes to the poem's rhythm and emphasizes the intricacy involved in defining both law and love. The frequent repetition of the word "law" throughout the poem keeps the reader's attention fixed on the elusive quest to define its essence.

Form and Content in Harmony

The form of "Law Like Love" mirrors its content, with a deliberately unstructured appearance that reflects the poem's message about the indefinable nature of law and love. The poem's lines and stanzas vary in length, symbolizing the spectrum of interpretations of law. The content oscillates between discussing law as an individual experience and its relationship to love, without adhering to a consistent pattern. This structural choice reinforces the poem's assertion that law is not a static construct but a dynamic concept that evolves according to each person's unique perspective and life situation.

Individual Perspectives and Human Constraints

"Law Like Love" delves into themes of individuality and the limitations of human understanding. The poem illustrates how personal realities inform one's conception of law, leading to interpretations that may deviate from an objective standard. This subjectivity is portrayed as a limitation of the human condition, as individuals often struggle to see beyond their own biases and experiences to grasp a universal concept of law. The speaker in the poem acknowledges this challenge, recognizing that law, akin to love, is a complex human endeavor that is difficult to define and sustain.

Auden's Personal and Political Contemplation of Law and Love

Auden's "Law Like Love" is a reflection on the nature of law set against the backdrop of political unrest and the poet's personal life. The timing of the poem's publication, at the beginning of World War II, and Auden's experiences with love inform his exploration of these themes. By juxtaposing law with love, Auden posits that both concepts require a compassionate, understanding, and flexible approach. He contends that despite their apparent simplicity, law and love are among the most intricate elements of human existence, necessitating an accommodation of the vast array of human experiences. The poem advocates for a legal and emotional framework that is adaptable and empathetic, acknowledging the imperfections and diversity that characterize the human experience.