"The Unknown Citizen"

Paper Summary:

This paper provides a brief biography of W.H. Auden and illustrates the particular social time and milieu of his poem, "The Unknown Citizen". The paper conveys how the poem uses strong and clear imagery to express its central theme; the loss of individuality due to the control and manipulation of government and bureaucracy. The paper also analyzes its structure and form. The paper emphasizes that "The Unknown Citizen" is particularly relevant to our contemporary world, even though it was written more than sixty years ago. In the modern age of information surveillance and media influence, it is a warning to be aware of the way those in power attempt to influence and manipulate the ordinary citizen.

Outline:
Introduction
Brief Biography
Theme and Imagery of "The Unknown Citizen"
Structure and Form
Conclusion and Comment

From the Paper:

"An important aspect to note is that the poem was written in a particular social time and milieu; namely the United States in a time of social, political and economic upheaval. It was also the time of Great Depression. This event was to change the way that many people saw the related to the government. During this period in history ordinary citizens received social security numbers and this was seen as a form of de-individualization and depersonalization. In the poem, Auden is also making us aware of aspects of American life; namely, "...its superficiality and conformity. "(Firchow 454)"

Sample of Sources Used:

• Auden, W. H. In Solitude, for Company: W.H. Auden after 1940, Unpublished Prose and Recent Criticism. Ed. Katherine Bucknell and Nicholas Jenkins. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1995.
• Firchow, Peter. "The American Auden: A Poet Reborn?." American Literary History 11.3 (1999): 448-479.
• Haffenden, John, ed. W.H. Auden: The Critical Heritage. London: Routledge, 1997.
• Hanrahan, Heidi. "Firchow, Peter Edgerly. W. H. Auden: Contexts for Poetry." English Literature in Transition 1880-1920 46.1 (2003): 110. Questia. 20 May 2006 <http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5002513105>.
• Platizky, Roger S. "Auden's the Unknown Citizen." Explicator 50.1 (1991): 48-49.

More papers on "The Unknown Citizen":

• Analytical Essay # 123571 : "'Philoctetes' and 'The Unknown Citizen'"
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• Poem Review # 73751 : "The Unknown Citizen"

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