This Old Man, obviously, stands for mankind with a capital 'M'. For Auden, over the years, man has changed, but that he has improved for the better is questionable, for he still retains his natural, primeval violence. Given the sunlight, salt and time. Furthermore, private violence may always give way to public assault and injury. In other words, especially in an age that has experienced the catastrophe of World War II, the house is like a shell for man against the violence and danger outside.
Walls provide security and peace for the self to construct itself and to become human.
On the other hand complete retreat into the house is not desirable. The house should not be over-possessive or bewitching. On such occasions, it is good to have the freedom to go out of the house, so as ''not to be at home to those I'm not at home with''. Furthermore, leaving the house makes man appreciate the return to it as an occasion to look forward to. He travelled expensively, visited and lived in Denmark, Germany, Belgium, Iceland, Spain and China, before settling finally in the United States in 1939.