Which quotation from “The Unknown Citizen” is the clearest example of satirical writing?
A. “Except for the War till the day he retire / He worked in a factory and never got fired, . . .”
B. “And his Health-card shows he was once in hospital but left it cured.”
C. “He was married and added five children to the population.”
D. “Our researchers into Public Opinion are content / That he held the proper opinions for the time of year. . . .”
A or B ? I know it isn't D
Why do you know it isn't D?
The clearest example of satirical writing in "The Unknown Citizen" is option A: "Except for the War till the day he retire / He worked in a factory and never got fired, . . ." This quote uses irony to highlight the absurdity of valuing an individual solely based on their employment record in a factory, even though the person lived through a war.
The clearest example of satirical writing in "The Unknown Citizen" is option A: "Except for the War till the day he retire / He worked in a factory and never got fired, . . ." This line satirizes the idea that someone's worth is purely determined by their ability to conform and be a productive member of society, even during times of war. It pokes fun at the expectation of unquestioning loyalty and continuous employment.
The clearest example of satirical writing in "The Unknown Citizen" is option A: "Except for the War till the day he retire / He worked in a factory and never got fired, . . .". This quotation uses humorous exaggeration to highlight the absurdity of the situation. The phrase "never got fired" suggests that the citizen's loyalty and lack of individuality were valued more than any actual achievements or contributions. The use of rhyme and the juxtaposition of the simplicity of factory work with the seriousness of war adds to the satirical tone of the passage.
Option B, "And his Health-card shows he was once in hospital but left it cured," is not as strong of an example of satire. While it does imply a superficial concern for a citizen's health, it does not possess the same satirical elements as option A.