1. The "General" Interpretation:
* Many believe Auden is using the poem to ask existential questions about the nature of human existence, the search for meaning, and the struggle against mortality.
* The "who" in the poem could represent any individual facing these universal questions.
* The poem's questions about "who" you are and what "you" do are meant to be pondered by anyone.
2. The "Specific" Interpretation:
* Some scholars argue that Auden is specifically referencing his own experiences and feelings about his sexuality and his struggle with societal norms in the 1930s.
* The poem could be seen as an internal dialogue, with the "who" representing Auden himself and the questions reflecting his internal conflict.
3. The "Combined" Interpretation:
* It's also possible that the poem is meant to be read on both levels, as a personal reflection on Auden's life while also resonating with the universal human experience.
Ultimately, there is no definitive answer to who Auden is referring to in "Who?". The beauty of the poem lies in its open-ended nature and its ability to resonate with different readers on various levels.
It's important to note that even Auden himself never explicitly confirmed who the "who" was meant to be. He allowed the poem to speak for itself, inviting readers to interpret it according to their own experiences and understanding.