He was found by the Bureau of Statistics to be
One against whom there was no official
complaint,
And all the reports on his conduct agree
That, in the modern sense of an old-fashioned word, he was a saint,
For in everything he did he served the
And all the reports on his conduct agree
That, in the modern sense of an old-fashioned word, he was a saint,
For in everything he did he served the
Greater Community.
Except for the War till the day he retired
He worked in a factory and never got fired,
But satisfied his employers, Fudge Motors Inc.
Yet he wasn't a scab or odd in his views,
For his Union reports that he paid his dues,
(Our report on his Union shows it was sound)
And our Social Psychology workers found
That he was Popular with his mates and liked
Except for the War till the day he retired
He worked in a factory and never got fired,
But satisfied his employers, Fudge Motors Inc.
Yet he wasn't a scab or odd in his views,
For his Union reports that he paid his dues,
(Our report on his Union shows it was sound)
And our Social Psychology workers found
That he was Popular with his mates and liked
Paper every day
And that his reactions to advertisements
And that his reactions to advertisements
were normal in every way.
Policies taken out in his name prove that he
Policies taken out in his name prove that he
was fully insured,
And his Health-card shows he was once in
And his Health-card shows he was once in
hospital but left it cured,
Both Producers Research and High-Grade
Both Producers Research and High-Grade
Living declare
He was fully sensible to the advantages of
He was fully sensible to the advantages of
the Installment Plan
And had everything necessary to the Modern
And had everything necessary to the Modern
Man,
A phonograph, a radio, a car and a frigidaire.
Our researchers into Public Opinion are content
That he held the proper opinions for the time
A phonograph, a radio, a car and a frigidaire.
Our researchers into Public Opinion are content
That he held the proper opinions for the time
of year;
When there was peace he was for peace;
When there was peace he was for peace;
when there was war he went.
He was married and and added five children to
He was married and and added five children to
the population,
Which our Eugenist says was the right
Which our Eugenist says was the right
number for a parent of his generation,
And our teachers report that he never
And our teachers report that he never
interfered with their education.
Was he free? Was he Happy? The question
Was he free? Was he Happy? The question
is absurd:
Had anything been wrong, we should
Had anything been wrong, we should
certainly have heard.
By Marco Chaves
ResponderEliminarI consider that Auden’s interpretation of a “perfect” citizen does not fit into current society models. The author describes the social facts an individual must reach to get a physical recognition (statue) from government. If you agreed with government norms, it will reward you for accomplishing a model life. This is what in my opinion does not become part of our society. I think that the behavior of the citizen is the one expected from anyone that is part of a community. A recognition must be give to the individuals that makes a real difference in society, not to the ones that fulfill what society dictates.
This ideal citizen portrayed by Auden in the text is for me the average guy that follows the government impositions. Someone unable to face what he dislikes. This individual described by Auden appears more as a statistic than as a person within society. The author uses irony to present to us that the government does not care about us.
We all are just a number for the government, and how the text describes this perfect citizen in detail while he is just an average guy is so ironic. I don’t think we are becoming less humans. However, when the individual starts loosing its personal identity and autonomy, it isn’t part of the numbers? At the end of the day, despite the monument and recognitions, the unknown citizen keeps unknown.
By Mariano Jiménez,
ResponderEliminarMoreover, our politicians have to learn that the way we will remember them it is not because they building huge monuments. Of course, it is appropiate remember Ozymandias by Bysshe Shelley.
By Marco Chaves
ResponderEliminarYou are right Mariano, but I think Auden is talking about the greatness of this individual, and not about the greatness of the government. I see this like if you follow my rules, my laws, and you looks happy, you are the greatest citizen ever, hahahaha... Like someone without opinion, ideal, goals, etc... I love this poem because the sarcasm implicit on it... so does he is happy?? The question is absurd??? HOW DOES THE POLITICIANS MUST KNOW it...