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The unknown citizen by W. H. Auden — Analysis & Translation

2 min read English

Original Poem

The unknown citizen

Translation (English)

The ordinary person who is not known by name

About the Poet

W. H. Auden (20th century)

Wystan Hugh Auden was a British-American poet known for his technical virtuosity and engagement with politics, morals, love, and religion. Born in 1907, he moved to the United States in 1939 and became an American citizen in 1946. Auden's work spans a wide range of themes and styles, and he was a prominent figure in 20th-century poetry.

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Historical Context

Literary Form
Satirical poem
When Written
Published in 1939
Background
The poem is a critique of the bureaucratic and impersonal nature of modern society, reflecting on the loss of individuality in the face of state and corporate control. It parodies the idea of a monument to an 'unknown citizen,' similar to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, highlighting how the state measures a person's worth through statistics and conformity rather than personal identity.

Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Unknown_Citizen, https://poets.org/poem/unknown-citizen, https://www.brinkerhoffpoetry.org/poems/the-unknown-citizen

Detailed Explanation

W. H. Auden's poem 'The Unknown Citizen' is a satirical commentary on the dehumanizing effects of modern society's bureaucratic systems. It presents a fictional report on a man who is deemed a perfect citizen by the state because he conforms to societal norms and expectations. The poem critiques how the state values individuals based on their adherence to rules and their statistical contributions, rather than their personal qualities or individuality. By parodying the concept of a monument to an 'unknown citizen,' Auden highlights the absurdity of reducing a person's life to mere data points. The poem reflects on themes of conformity, identity, and the loss of personal freedom in a highly regulated society. Through its ironic tone and use of bureaucratic language, Auden underscores the tension between individuality and the collective demands of the state.

Themes

  • Conformity
  • Identity
  • Bureaucracy
  • Individual vs. State

Literary Devices

  • Satire: The poem uses satire to critique the dehumanizing aspects of bureaucracy.
  • Irony: The poem's tone is ironic, highlighting the absurdity of valuing conformity over individuality.
  • Parody: It parodies the concept of a monument to an 'unknown citizen,' similar to war memorials.
  • Imagery: The poem uses imagery of bureaucratic language to emphasize its critique.

Word Dictionary

Word Meaning Translation Transliteration
unknown not known not familiar or famous uhn-nohn
citizen member of a state someone who belongs to a country si-ti-zuhn
bureaucratic related to administration involving a lot of complicated rules and processes byoo-roh-krat-ik
impersonal cold or detached not showing personal feelings im-pur-suh-nl
conformity compliance acting like everyone else kuhn-fawr-mi-tee
statistics numerical data numbers that show information stuh-tis-tiks
parody imitation with exaggeration a funny copy par-uh-dee
monument memorial structure a big statue or building to remember something mon-yuh-muhnt
identity sense of self who someone is ahy-den-ti-tee
ironic sarcastic saying the opposite of what you mean ahy-ron-ik

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