The themes and ideas in Auden's _The Age of Anxiety_ reflect his belief that man's quest for self actualization is in vain. I. Auden's background A. As a 1930's poet 1. Views of Society 2. Diagnosis of the industrial society B. Major conflicts of his works II. _The Age of Anxiety_ over...

In Auden's lengthy poem, The Age of Anxiety_, he follows the actions and thoughts of four characters who happen to meet in a bar during a war. Their interactions with one another lead them on an imaginary quest in their minds in which they attempt, without success, to discover themselves. T...