The Unknown Citizen Essay

The character helps understand the theme in the story, that individuality must be treasured in our society, because it shows what the emotional and physical links to the society in the book, as well as the mental states and feelings influencing the text.

Another technique this poem takes use of is alliteration. The alliteration used helps to express the themes importance through repletion of sound devices. A specific example of alliteration

describing the characters and objects throughout the poem and in creating the atmosphere of the

The author uses imagery in the poem to enable the reader to see what the speaker sees. For example, in lines 4-11 the speaker describes to us the

insight into his life and personality that he is not aware of giving. While the poet

He uses this in the poem to give it rhythm to engage the reader and

His diction let’s you sense the carelessness and monotony of the characters lives. This style of writing shows the reader that the worth and value of the individual is not

The author describes this citizen as being an overall regular man in society, who did not change or impact the world by any means. He was a normal man who bought a paper every day

because through his first person narrative, the reader is drawn to his sensitive nature, his

Langston Hughes also uses characterization in this poem. The poem is a narrative on a specific character. Hughes describes in detail the background and interests. As soon as he leaves the classroom he starts thinking about his assignment and what he is going to write. This speaks to the characters drive and strive for his education. His race is also his struggle that allowed him to move to the north. Hughes shares what he loves to do, what he is passionate about, his knowledge, and his choice of music. His identity is clear and never questioned. Hughes knows who he is and what he is capable of accomplishing.

In fact, there are many critics who believe that this poem was Auden’s own epitaph on Hitler- a personal ode to the man who had wielded such power in the years of his dictatorship and played no small role in shaping the world as we know it today and they had known it then.

There is a little irony in the poem. In lines 5 and 6, the author says, "He didn't fight. He hadn't fought at

Imagery along with a touch of irony is found within the poem to pull the reader into the poem. The speakers describe exactly who they are, and what they are looking for in the person who they seek. “Executive in search of something new-Perhaps bisexual woman, arty, young.

He transitions the tone of the poem from one of despair and hopelessness to one of encouragement which adds a realistic effect to the poem while still encouraging the reader. There is a thin line between being completely discouraging and being realistic; the speaker in the story seems to keep the perfect balance between these two lines. With the skillfully organized tone, the author helps the reader better understand the mood of the story as well as the difficult

Among his “praises,” for example: “When there was peace, he was for peace: when there was war, he went” (24). In this, it becomes clear to the reader that you do not want to be an average citizen; you do not want this to be your elegy. Some critics argue this, however, as Auden stating that there is nothing disgraceful in being unknown. The poem is, above all, a satire of the way conformity hinders the individual and leaves ridiculous and solely external distinctions between human beings.