I asked a similar question earlier, but I wasn't clear enough.
The subtitle of Auden's The Unknown Citizen is "To JS/07/M/378 This Marble Monument is Erected by the State"
So, is the entire poem an obituary written on the monument? Or is it a government representative speaking about the citizen, and unintentionally showing government hypocricy? Or is it simply the poet making a comment?
To understand the interpretation of Auden's poem "The Unknown Citizen," let's break it down. The poem is structured as a mock epitaph or obituary, written for a fictitious person referred to as "JS/07/M/378." The subtitle, "To JS/07/M/378 This Marble Monument is Erected by the State," gives a clue that it is indeed an inscription on a monument.
In terms of who is speaking in the poem, it could be seen as a combination of different perspectives. We can infer that it is the government representing a collective voice, as suggested by the mention of the state erecting the monument. The tone of the poem could be seen as ironic or satirical, critiquing the concepts of conformity and government control.
The poem lists numerous achievements and attributes of the citizen, emphasizing his conformity, productivity, and lack of individuality. It highlights how he fulfills societal expectations, ensures he is never a trouble, and behaves like a model citizen. The repetition of the phrase "he was" reinforces the mechanical, dehumanized nature of the citizen's life.
While the poem may initially seem like a straightforward tribute, a deeper analysis reveals Auden's critique of a society that values conformity over individuality. The exaggeration of the citizen's conformity is a satirical commentary on the devaluation of human uniqueness and the loss of personal identity.
Therefore, it can be argued that Auden is using the poem as a medium to comment on government hypocrisy and the conformity demanded by society. By juxtaposing the monument's supposed praise with the underlying critique of individuals being reduced to mere statistics and cogs in the machinery of a collective state, Auden challenges the notion of true individuality and freedom.
In conclusion, "The Unknown Citizen" can be interpreted as a combination of an obituary, a government representative speaking, and the poet offering a critique. The poem serves as a reflection on societal conformity, the loss of individuality, and the critique of government control. Understanding the context and analyzing the poem's language and imagery can help unravel its multiple layers of meaning.