This poem is interesting primarily because of its title. Upon first reading it, one might think it proper to be called "The 'Known' Citizen" since the qualities this particular man exhibits are nonparticular, and are 'known' or expected by the powers that be - the Bureau of Stats, Fudge Inc, advertisers, government. I think Auden cleverly called this poem "The Unknown Citizen" because we really dont know anything about his identity independent of the demands imposed upon him by these powers.
I thought I saw a precursor to "Big Brother is watching you." Lately I tried to read aloud the Room 101 passage from 1984 but my sympathy was with the rats...
@KnighthawkXIV Auden's ability to distil things are what makes him my favourite poem. What you describe as sad and frightening is what I also feel, mixed with a definite sense of possibility and freedom at the same time. In other words: to know the realities and limits of life frees you from worries and allows you to enjoy yourself. Listen to his "As I walked out one evening" for a similar view on love and time. Whoever says that poetry is soppy and sentimental should read some Auden :)
Auden's last line seems to show what he meant here. Its not simply about totalitarianism, but that states choose to remain in ignorance of their people's quality of life. People today, in the US, can have however many children they want, they can vote, and work toward a nice house or car. Are they happy? Generally speaking, no. And yet having these freedoms is all that a person is thought to need. In fact, sometimes, our society denies quality of life by its very nature.
This is a fascinating poem. It's surprising how the hypothetical individual in the poem sounds so familiar, the fellow who everyone likes and fits into normal society... I disagree with the specifics of your analysis of the poem. While Orwell wrote on the world-turned-nightmare by totalitarianism, statistics were hardly kept about the will of the individuals (i.e. who he liked to drink with, etc). It rather reminds me of Kafka's theme of the dehumanizing quality of bueracracy.
This poem is interesting primarily because of its title. Upon first reading it, one might think it proper to be called "The 'Known' Citizen" since the qualities this particular man exhibits are nonparticular, and are 'known' or expected by the powers that be - the Bureau of Stats, Fudge Inc, advertisers, government. I think Auden cleverly called this poem "The Unknown Citizen" because we really dont know anything about his identity independent of the demands imposed upon him by these powers.
I thought I saw a precursor to "Big Brother is watching you."
Lately I tried to read aloud the Room 101 passage from 1984 but my sympathy was with the rats...
This reminds me of my Grandad. He worked at Austin Motors Longbridge for years.
Well read and appreciated. Ta!
@KnighthawkXIV Auden's ability to distil things are what makes him my favourite poem. What you describe as sad and frightening is what I also feel, mixed with a definite sense of possibility and freedom at the same time. In other words: to know the realities and limits of life frees you from worries and allows you to enjoy yourself. Listen to his "As I walked out one evening" for a similar view on love and time.
Whoever says that poetry is soppy and sentimental should read some Auden :)
If he was unhappy, the government certainly would know; He was such a comformist
Auden's last line seems to show what he meant here. Its not simply about totalitarianism, but that states choose to remain in ignorance of their people's quality of life. People today, in the US, can have however many children they want, they can vote, and work toward a nice house or car. Are they happy? Generally speaking, no.
And yet having these freedoms is all that a person is thought to need. In fact, sometimes, our society denies quality of life by its very nature.
The pic is Laurence fox the newsaviour of what we've all been thinking and saying for years !! Outstanding
I just heard a reading of Funeral Blues in another video, the contrast is quite jarring
Amazing. Thank you!
great
@ZechsMerquise73 Bravo.
This is a fascinating poem. It's surprising how the hypothetical individual in the poem sounds so familiar, the fellow who everyone likes and fits into normal society...
I disagree with the specifics of your analysis of the poem. While Orwell wrote on the world-turned-nightmare by totalitarianism, statistics were hardly kept about the will of the individuals (i.e. who he liked to drink with, etc). It rather reminds me of Kafka's theme of the dehumanizing quality of bueracracy.
neat