1.5 The Unknown Citizen (by W.H. Auden)

⟰ First मा यो chapter चाहिं खास के को बारेमा हो?

➪ “The Unknown Citizen” is a poem by W.H. Auden that tells the story of a person who lived an ordinary life. The poem is written in the form of a government report, and it describes how the person never caused any problems and always followed the rules. The poem uses irony or satire (व्यंग्य) to show that while the person was a “model citizen” according to official records, his individuality and humanity were lost in the process.

⟰ त्यसो भए यसको actual summary चाहिं के हो त?

Summary of the Chapter:

➪ This poem is about a common modern man. He follows all rules of the government and society without asking questions.

The poem says organizations have data about him. Data shows he had a job. He paid all taxes properly. He bought the right products. He took insurance. He fit into his community without standing out. Records say he caused no trouble. He followed all public and private rules in his roles as worker, taxpayer and consumer.

But the poem says there is no proof if he had his own independent thoughts. No proof if he cared about poor people. Or nature. No proof he read about knowledge, truth and beauty. He just worked and shopped mechanically without asking any deeper questions on society and humanity. The poet says modern governments and companies make people like slaves. People work hard only to buy things. By describing this obedient unknown man, the poet actually wants citizens not to be like him. In other words, the poet wants citizens to think independently on bigger issues affecting society and humanity. He wants people to know their real self behind their job-positions or behind their economic identities.

The poem uses humor to share the importance of individual freedom in the modern world. It says big organizations pressurize people to just follow popular conventions and rules without questions. The poet asks readers to think – do we lead self-aware lives? Aren’t we lost in the routine material life? The poet wants citizens to have independent thinking, and to have love for human values, love for knowledge and love for art by thinking beyond the day-to-day economic activities.

⟰ अनि अब यो chapter बाट exam मा आउन सक्ने question हरु के के हुन् त?

Exam Questions:

Type 1 (5-Mark Question)

Q1: What does the poem say modern governments and companies make humans into?

A1: The poem says with light humor that today governments and big companies are making humans like slaves. By keeping strict records of only economic performances, they are training common people to just work obediently and shop endlessly without thinking freely on their own about good of community or purpose of life.

Q2: The poet wants the modern citizen to find his real self behind which identities?

A2: By depicting the citizen known only by economic identities like taxpayer, worker and consumer, the poet plays with idea that humans must search and express their inner qualities of reasoning, love, and finding joy in art etc which make them human. He wants people to become self-aware by thinking beyond the day-to-day economic activities.

Q3: How does “The Unknown Citizen” use irony to critique the idea of a “model citizen”?

A3: “The Unknown Citizen” uses irony to critique the idea of a “model citizen” by describing a person who follows all the rules and is praised by society, but who is also unnamed and unknown. The irony is that while this person is considered a perfect citizen, they have no unique identity or personal qualities. The poem shows that the idea of a “model citizen” can be flawed because it only values conformity and ignores individuality. It suggests that a good citizen can be more than just someone who follows the rules, but also someone who has their own thoughts, feelings, and identity.

Type 2 (10-Mark Question):

Q1: The poem makes us think about what makes life meaningful. Is it better to always do what everyone else does, or is it good to go against the crowd? Talk about this, using examples from your own life and what you’ve seen.
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Q1: The poem forces readers to consider what makes for a meaningful life. Is it better to follow the herd or resist conformity? Discuss, using examples from your own experience and observations.

A1: This is a tricky question with good points on both sides. If we always do what everyone else does, like Auden says, we might lose our own thoughts and courage to do what’s right. But if we always go against what everyone does, it can make it hard for everyone to work together. Usually, it’s smart to find a balance between doing what everyone else does and doing our own thing.

I think it’s important to think about which rules to follow and which ones to question. Following rules without thinking can make life empty. But breaking rules just to rebel can make us feel lost and lonely. People who rebel just to go against the norm often seem without direction. On the other hand, those who challenge rules for good reasons, like fighting for equal rights or protecting the environment, do important work.

In the end, a meaningful life probably includes some balance between following the crowd and sticking to our own values. blindly doing what everyone else does is risky, but so is always going against the norm. We need to be thoughtful about when to follow along and when to stand up for what’s right. This needs self-awareness, bravery, and wisdom. Answers aren’t always easy, but thinking about why we do things and what we believe in helps us make good choices.

Type 3 (15-Mark Question)

Q1: The poem “The Unknown Citizen” suggests that modern capitalist states and giant corporations have made average citizens like slaves who have forgotten their selfhood and just work and entertain themselves without thinking beyond materialistic existence. Do you feel this is true? What can be done to nurture more self-aware, reasonable and caring youth ready to engage with and improve social-political systems?

A1: The poet’s satirical description of the unknown citizen contains much truth. In the modern world, people are very busy working mechanically like robots. They are spending most of their time working to buy things, instead of exploring knowledge or arts. Besides, they are not asking any questions on bigger issues affecting society and humanity. This kind of not questioning things allows lies to spread, like fake news about the environment or elections, hurting everyone.

But we shouldn’t feel hopeless. We can make things better by taking thoughtful actions. Teaching youths values like being aware, caring about others, and being honest can create a generation that cares about the truth and making society better. Governments can support activities that make people think and question, and companies can motivate their employees to work for good causes.

If our role models are people who stand up for what is right, especially for those who can not speak for themselves, and if we focus on real lasting solutions instead of just quick alternatives, the next generation will see the world in a better way. Right now, people are very focused on just their personal economic benefits. They need to avoid this and should teach the youths to be strong and make the world better for everyone.