Analysis of "The Age of Anxiety" by W.H. Auden The themes and ideas in Auden's "The Age of Anxiety" reflect his belief that man's quest for self actualization is in vain. 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" overview A. As a quest poem 1. Characters' search for self-actualization 2. Characters' inevitable failure in the quest B. Characters' views on the general situation 1. Their belief to be in Purgatory when they are allegorically in Hell 2. Their disbelief in impossibility III. "The Age of Anxiet