Central Idea in the poem The Unknow Citizen by W.H.#Auden.

 

What is the central idea in the poem #TheUnknowCitizen by #WHAuden?

The main idea behind W.H. #Auden's poem The Unknown Citizen is a sharp criticism of how modern society tends to turn people into numbers and mindless followers. This, in turn, leads to people losing who they are, what it means to be free, and any real chance at being happy.

Losing Your Humanity: The poem does not call the Unknown Citizen by his name. Instead, he's known by a government ID. Everything about his life comes from what different government groups and reports say about him (like the Bureau of Statistics). This shows how modern systems take away what makes people special, their true identity, and turn them into data and submissive parts of a machine.

Following the Crowd: The citizen is praised for always doing what society expects of him to do. He never got fired, paid his dues, and had the right opinions. He also added five children to the population, which was the right number according to a believer in eugenics. This paints a picture of a society where being normal and blindly following orders is seen as the best thing, even if it means not thinking for yourself or expressing your individuality or independent thinking.

What's the Point of Freedom and Joy? The poem ends with some sarcastic lines that drive home the point: Was he free? Was he Happy? The question is senseless: If something had been wrong, we would have heard about it. The government thinks freedom and happiness are just about not complaining or going against the norm. This suggests that in a world where everything is controlled and watched, the kind of freedom and happiness that come from making your own choices and feeling good about yourself do not matter, or maybe it’s not possible.

Making Fun of Government Control: Auden uses a formal, detached tone, as if the government itself is speaking. This makes the idea of bureaucratic control and surveillance seem even more disturbing. The poem is like a mocking version of a memorial speech, suggesting that the perfect citizen is someone with no real personality who never questions the system.

Basically, Auden's poem is a warning about the risks of a society that's too controlled and focused on conformity. In such a society, people are valued for how well they fit in, not for what makes them unique.

But there's more to The Unknown Citizen than just criticism of losing your humanity and blindly following others. There are other ways to look at it, too:

Making Fun of Capitalism: The poem also subtly criticises the idea that people are only worth what they can produce and consume. The citizen worked in a factory and never got fired, made his bosses at Fudge Motors Inc. happy, and had everything a Modern Man needs: a phonograph, a radio, a car, and a frigidaire. This shows how having material things and being economically productive becomes the measure of a successful, normal life, instead of having intellectual or emotional fulfilment. The fact that he reacted normally to advertisements shows how much consumer culture influences people.

Predicting the Surveillance State: Written in 1939, the poem is surprisingly accurate in its depiction of a society where every little thing about a person's life is recorded and watched by different Bureaus and Researchers. This foreshadows the rise of Big Data, social media tracking, and government surveillance that we see so much of today. The idea that if something had been wrong, we would have heard about it suggests a system so thorough that any slip-up would be noticed right away.

Mocking Memorials: The poem's structure, like a Marble Monument... Erected by the State is a direct parody of things like the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. While the Unknown Soldier is honoured for making selfless sacrifices and being heroic, the Unknown Citizen is praised for not being individualistic and perfectly following social norms. This contrast shows how twisted the values of Auden's society really are. The saint he is said to be is a government saint, not a spiritual one, which adds to the irony.

The Falsehood of Freedom and Happiness: As mentioned, the poem's last lines are very ironic. The state dismisses the idea of even asking if the citizen was free or happy as silly. This suggests that if a system cares only about outside conformity and measurable compliance, feelings like freedom and happiness either don't matter or can't exist in any meaningful way. True freedom would involve making choices and going against the grain, which the Unknown Citizen never does.

Critique of Education: The poem touches on how education (our teachers report that he never interfered with their education) can be used to push conformity and control, rather than encouraging critical thinking or personal development.

These different interpretations often connect and support each other, making the poem a lasting warning about the dangers of losing your sense of self in a world that's becoming more and more standardised and controlled.

Riders to the Sea By John Millington Synge

                  Riders to the Sea By John Millington Synge

                   #RiderstotheSea By #JohnMSynge

 

Riders to the Sea is a famous one-act play by Irish playwright J.M. Synge, first staged in 1903. It's a moving tragedy and a standout piece in modern Irish drama.

                   About the Author:

John Millington Synge, born on April 16, 1871, near Dublin, was a key figure in the Irish Literary Revival. Though he started with music, he found his calling in writing after being encouraged by poet W.B. Yeats to immerse himself in the culture of the Aran Islands.

Life and Background:

Synge grew up in an upper-middle-class family, often homeschooled due to illness. He was a musician before shifting focus to writing while studying in Germany, Paris, and Italy. His pivotal moment came when he met Yeats in 1896, who urged him to live among the people of the Aran Islands, where he was deeply inspired.

Work:

Synge's experiences shaped his plays, which reflect rural Irish life. Unlike some writers, he portrayed life's harsh realities with a blend of humor and poetic realism. His significant works include The Playboy of the Western World and Riders to the Sea. He was influential in establishing the Abbey Theatre in Dublin, a hub for Irish plays.

Setting:

The play unfolds in a simple cottage on the remote Aran Islands, where the sea plays a crucial role, reflecting both the livelihoods and dangers of island life.

 Plot Summary:

The story revolves around Maurya, an elderly woman who has lost many family members to the sea. As her last son, Bartley, ventures out despite a storm, Maurya fears for his safety. Her dread is confirmed when both Bartley and her missing son, Michael, are found dead. This devastating loss finally brings Maurya to a bleak acceptance of her fate.

Main Characters:

- Maurya: The grieving mother who embodies the islanders' struggles.

- Cathleen & Nora: Maurya's daughters, dealing with their harsh reality.

- Bartley: The youngest son whose tragic fate seals the family's losses.

- Michael: The missing son whose presumed death adds tension.

Themes:

The play explores the sea's power, fate, grief, and the tension between tradition and change. It also reflects on pagan beliefs versus Christianity, as Maurya often trusts her own instincts over religious comfort. Ultimately, the story highlights resilience and the acceptance of loss in the face of nature's indifference.

Riders to the Sea is recognized for its stark honesty and emotional depth, making it a significant piece of literature that resonates with audiences.

The play is also known for its stark portrayal of human vulnerability in the face of nature, its poetic language, and its exploration of universal themes of grief, fate, and survival.