Final answer:
W.H. Auden's 'September 1, 1939' effectively captures the sentiments of the period between the Great Depression and World War II, reflecting the era's pervasive fear and uncertainty through Modernist poetic forms.
Step-by-step explanation:
Finding a Poem from The Great Depression and World War II Era
The years between 1900 and 1945 were turbulent, with significant events including the Great Depression and World War II. A poem which encapsulates the sentiments and issues of this time is W.H. Auden's “September 1, 1939”. Auden, a Modernist poet, reflects on the outbreak of World War II and captures the pervasive fear and uncertainty of the era.
The poem discusses themes such as the loss of innocence, the breakdown of society, and the desperate need for human connection in times of crisis. These themes reflect the disillusionment of the time and offer insight into public sentiment. Auden was a prominent figure in Modernist poetry, which sought to break away from traditional structures and themes to reflect the complexities and anxieties of the modern world.
Modernist poetry was characterized by its experimentation with form and language, and a tendency to reflect on the human condition in a changing and often disorienting world. The Great Depression and World War II, meanwhile, shaped not just poetry but all forms of artistic expression, including photography and sculpture. Therefore, the selected poem helps to understand the profundity of human experience during this historically significant period.
To analyze a poem from this period would involve examining the ways in which it speaks to the transient nature of happiness, the threat of war, and the socio-economic struggles that are emblematic of the era. It is important to acknowledge how history influences literature, including poetry which often serves as an artistic mirror reflecting the turmoil and the spirit of the times.