The Unknown Citizen by W. H. Auden.pptx

1. The Unknown Citizen
by W. H. Auden
Critical Analysis

2. Brief Overview
● "The Unknown Citizen" is a poem written by W. H. Auden that tells
the story of a man who has lived a seemingly ordinary life, but is
remembered by the government only as a number: "JS/07 M 378" The
poem is written in the form of an epitaph and is written from the
perspective of the government, which describes the man as a model
citizen who did everything that was expected of him. The man is not
seen as an individual with his own thoughts, feelings, and desires, but
rather as a cog in the machine of society. The poem raises questions
about the role of the individual in society and the value of conformity.
It invites readers to consider the ways in which they are seen by the
government and society, and to think about the things that they do to
be seen as "good citizens."

3. Analysis of Lines 1-5
He was found by the Bureau of Statistics to
be
One against whom there was no official
complaint,
And all the reports of his conduct agree
That, in the modern sense of the old-
fashioned word, he was a saint,
For in everything he did he served the
Greater Community.
● Auden has chosen a speaker for the poem who is concealed but familiar,
resembling a government worker or customer service representative
● The speaker has a candid, emotionless tone and is not affected by the facts he
is relaying about the "unknown citizen"
● The speaker's lack of inflection is compensated for by the use of rhyme
throughout the poem
● The speaker introduces the main subject of the poem, who is not given a
name or proper identification
● The speaker mentions that there are no "complaints" lodged against the
"unknown citizen" and that his record is spotless and pristine
● The poem reads like a report and raises questions about the criteria used to
determine who is worthy of being remembered and celebrated
● The reader cannot come to fully know the "unknown citizen" through the
report, highlighting the irony between the title and the goal of the poem

4. Analysis of Lines 6-15
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.
● The man dedicated his life to serving the community and
followed the rules and expectations of society
● He served in a war, although it is not specified which one
● The man did not have any "odd views" and was not known
to engage in activities that went against the values of
society
● He was dedicated to his work and was in the good graces of
his employers
● The man was popular with his friends and was seen as
completely normal
● The total normalcy of the man's life raises questions about
the importance of conformity and the lack of individuality
in society
● Scab: means they did not engage in strikebreaking or
other actions that were opposed by their union.

5. Analysis of Lines 16-23
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
Instalment 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;
● The speaker refers to a number of
organizations that have been keeping an
eye on the citizen, including the "Press," a
government-run news organization
● The man was as susceptible to advertising
as he was supposed to be and committed to
the news of the day
● The man's life may have been consumed
with propaganda produced by government
agencies
● The man's health was sufficient and he was
interested in acquiring all the appliances a
"Modern Man" would need

6. Analysis of Lines 24-29
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.
● In the final section of the poem, the speaker concludes his
report on the "unknown citizen"
● Researchers at "Public Opinion" conclude that the man
had all the "proper opinions" and was an advocate for
what the government told him to be, whether it was
"peace" or "war"
● The man had a normal wife and five children who were
"added...to the population" and were the "right" number
for a man of his "generation"
● The speaker defends himself by stating that the question
of whether the citizen was "free" or "happy" is absurd, as
the man was certainly happy or "we should...have heard"
● Eugenist: Eugenicists worldwide believed that they could
perfect human beings and eliminate so-called social ills
through genetics and heredity. They believed the use of
methods such as involuntary sterilization, segregation
and social exclusion would rid society of individuals
deemed by them to be unfit

7. The End