“The Unknown Citizen” is a poem written by W.H. Auden and depicts a period of significant negative changes in the history of United States. Several references within the poem make it rather obvious and easy to interpret that the target is in fact the Government, but is handled in a light hearted manner. The poem doesn’t attack the government or the bureaucrat directly, but instead uses a very modest and humorous tone to play off these matters (“X. J. Kennedy”).The history associated with this poem is complex and highlighted the distortion of what is obscure and public from those who are in governance. The poet was well versed in writing rhyming couplets and this particular writing style is shown in this poem (“X. J. Kennedy”).
In essence “The Unknown Citizen” poses a very dramatic and interfering system, where the “fictional” Bureau of Statistics keeps tabs on everyone it controls. This reference is actually a target towards all bureaucracies who have this impersonal and degrading manner and aura. It is from the perspective of a government officer, who is looking into the private details of an unknown person’s life and scrutinizing it intensely. The overall tone makes it apparent that the person is just a subject of little or no importance for the government, but his actions are controlled excessively by the media and through other means. This portrays a time period in United States history that inhibited freedom and entailed unnecessary control. The poem is applicable to those under the government because the unknown man represents every average person. Hence, this poem presents the view that as long as an average person’s actions align with what the government considers ideal, he is praised or otherwise looked down upon. The breach of privacy and freedom is visible clearly, through the constant stating of the every step the average man takes in his life; from his work conduct to how many children he has. However, what the poet failed to mention is the reaction and opinion of the average man. The average man is submissive and accepts everything at face value, especially the biased information available through the media. The adaption to technology is also a prime matter in this poem and can also underline how these evils play a pivotal role in invading privacy.
Relationships, education and unemployment are aspects of utmost concern for almost every individual. These are the very establishments and situations being monitored and controlled by the government according to the poet (“Brown”). The attitude of the average government individual is extremely haughty and apathetic, not leaving any room for sympathy and humanity for the average man. An actual state of affairs regarding the Social Security is brought to the table. In reality, there were claims that its creation was to benefit the average man; in this poem however, we see that it’s used to watch every move and reveal anything out of ordinary. This example is ideal to expose duplicity on the behalf of the government for its own personal gains and exercising of control.
The extensive nature of the departments at State Level and how they’re obsessed with monitoring lives is mentioned in a very jolly tone. Specific departments dedicated to primarily for the purpose of analyzing and inspecting the average man are in place, but seem rather severe and unrealistic. “The Unknown Citizen” exposes a very extreme and severe administrational system that is involved to the extent of uncovering details regarding family life (“Brown”). On the outlook, the average man might seem happy to the government because he is aligned with their core values, but instead these systems result in dissatisfaction and unhappiness which has not been brought under discussion by the poet, but is instead implied.
“1984” the novel written by George Orwell presents a similar negative situation, Big Brother being a symbol for the government as shown in “The Unknown Citizen”. The concept of lost individuality and the absence of freedom of choice and speech are made obvious via harsh tones and instances, in comparison to the poem’s humorous tone. “The Unknown Citizen” has no presence of defiance whatsoever; everything begins and ends with compliance and interference. However, “1984” on the other hand is revolutionary in some ways; the protagonist rebels against the current order, but his final defeat gives the government the ultimate victory (“Topham”). This can be regarded as symbolic for the powerful nature of the bureaucratic system, which poses as authoritarian and totalitarian, to which there is no end. The aura of “1984” is extremely haunting and similar to “The Unknown Citizen” attends to advertisements via the media that brainwash the minds of average citizens. Altering history to suit the aims of the government is another severe method of control. Various slogans such as “Ignorance is Strength”, “Peace is war” and “Freedom is slavery” alter personal righteous beliefs and mould them according to the requirements of the system, or the government as in “The Unknown Citizen” (“Topham”). It is apparent that the average man in both the novel and the poem, know nothing else that what they’re being ordered to do. This corruption of minds and dangerous control denies fundamental human rights that are detrimental to advancement and future progress. “1984” looks into this extensively, whereas “The Unknown Citizen” is mute with this regard.
The strict control and intrusion into personal matters that are menial to say the least are overlooked in “The Unknown Citizen”. The poem is extremely basic in its spirit and deals with simple scrutiny concerning involvement in financial and basic personal issues. However, the book looks at complete supervision; every move is analyzed via the media and any defiance is results in death. Therefore, it can be concluded that “The Unknown Citizen” is rather indirect and not that detailed, whereas “1984” presents specific, extreme and detailed instances besides methods for meddling. This nature of this book is very lingering and has an after presence which haunts that individual regarding the evils of communism and the government. The poem however, ends on a humorous note, and doesn’t achieve to create a heavy impact with respect to extreme control by authority. Both the works of literature examined illustrate rather unrealistic systems that make readers wary of the future and instill fear and disgust for these repressive regimes.
Works Cited
Brown. Planet Papers. 2009.
Topham, James. About.com. 2012.
X. J. Kennedy, Dana Gioia. Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, Drama and Writing. 11th Edition Pearson: Longman, 2009.
