THE UNKNOWN CITIZEN

The Poem:

(To JS/07 M 378

This Marble Monument

Is Erected by the State)

He was found by the Bureau of Statistics to be

One against whom there was no official complaint,

And all the reports on his conduct agree

That, in the modern sense of an old-fashioned word, he was a saint,

For in everything he did he served the Greater Community.

Except for the War till the day he retired

He worked in a factory and never got fired,

But satisfied his employers, Fudge Motors Inc.

Yet he wasn’t a scab or odd in his views,

For his Union reports that he paid his dues,

(Our report on his Union shows it was sound)

And our Social Psychology workers found

That he was popular with his mates and liked a drink.

The Press are convinced that he bought a paper every day

And that his reactions to advertisements were normal in every way.

Policies taken out in his name prove that he was fully insured,

And his Health-card shows he was once in hospital but left it cured.

Both Producers Research and High-Grade Living declare

He was fully sensible to the advantages of the Installment Plan

And had everything necessary to the Modern Man,

A phonograph, a radio, a car and a frigidaire.

Our researchers into Public Opinion are content

That he held the proper opinions for the time of year;

When there was peace, he was for peace: when there was war, he went.

He was married and added five children to the population,

Which our Eugenist says was the right number for a parent of his generation.

And our teachers report that he never interfered with their education.

Was he free? Was he happy? The question is absurd:

Had anything been wrong, we should certainly have heard.

SUMMARY    

    The poem "The Unknown Citizen" by W. H. Auden, written in 1939, satirically portrays a model citizen in a modern urban-industrial society. It criticizes the conformity and loss of individuality in such a society. The poem is a monument erected by the state, suggesting that the citizen is celebrated as an ideal.

The poem describes the citizen, referred to as JS/07 M 378, as someone against whom there were no official complaints. All reports on his conduct affirm that he was a "saint" in the sense that he adhered to the expectations and norms of the greater community. The citizen worked in a factory, was a union member, and had a generally unremarkable and conformist life. He satisfied his employers, was not a troublemaker, and had typical reactions to advertisements.

He had insurance, received medical care, and embraced the consumer culture of the modern age, owning items like a phonograph, radio, car, and refrigerator. The poem highlights how the citizen's opinions aligned with the prevailing sentiments of the time. He supported peace during times of peace and contributed to the population with a typical number of children according to the eugenists of his generation.

The final lines raise questions about the citizen's freedom and happiness, suggesting that any issues with his life would have been known.

Auden's poem critiques the dehumanization and conformity in modern society, where individuals are reduced to statistics and expectations. It questions the cost of fitting into societal norms and the loss of individuality and personal freedom.

POETIC ANALYSIS

Title:

• The title "The Unknown Citizen" immediately raises questions about the identity and significance of the citizen. It hints at the theme of anonymity and conformity in society.

Theme:

• Conformity and Dehumanization: The poem critically explores how modern society values conformity over individuality. It suggests that the ideal citizen is one who complies with societal norms and expectations but loses their individuality in the process.

Structure and Form:

• The poem is written in free verse, without a strict rhyme or meter. This reflects the chaotic and mechanized nature of modern urban-industrial society.

Tone:

• The tone is satirical and critical. The poet uses humor and irony to expose the dehumanizing effects of conformity and bureaucracy.

Imagery:

• The poem creates vivid mental images, especially in describing the consumer goods and behaviors of the citizen. This imagery serves to underscore the conformity and materialism of the modern age.

Language and Diction:

• The language is straightforward and accessible, reflecting the bureaucratic and official tone of the text. The use of bureaucratic language and terminology highlights the dehumanization of the citizen.

Irony:

• Irony is a central element of the poem. The "monument" erected to celebrate the citizen's conformity is, in fact, a symbol of his loss of identity and individuality.

Symbolism:

• The citizen represents the conformist ideal, while the "marble monument" represents the dehumanizing bureaucracy and societal expectations.

Allusion:

• The poem alludes to the dehumanizing effects of modern society, particularly the loss of individuality in the face of societal norms and consumer culture.

Mood:

• The mood is critical, with a touch of sarcasm and mockery. It underscores the poet's dissatisfaction with a society that values conformity over individuality.

Message and Interpretation:

• The poem serves as a social commentary on the dehumanization of individuals in a modern, bureaucratic, and consumer-driven society. It raises questions about the cost of fitting into prescribed roles and the loss of personal freedom and individuality.

In summary, "The Unknown Citizen" is a satirical poem that uses various poetic elements to critique conformity and dehumanization in modern society. It conveys its message through irony, vivid imagery, and straightforward language, emphasizing the loss of individuality in the face of societal expectations.