Creating a Tone and Theme in "The Unknown Citizen"
             In W.H. Auden's "The Unknown Citizen," several key literary elements form the tone of the poem. The entire poem is almost satirical, with a humorous tone throughout. Due to the poet's irony and sarcasm, the humor is evident. Through the poet's diction, the theme is solidified, and through his symbolism, we are further in tune to the theme. That theme, amongst others, is individualism versus conforming. The poet does a wonderful job portraying his meaning by using simple devices to open our eyes.
             "The Unknown Citizen" is a poem about a man whose monument reads "(To JS/07/M/378 This Marble Monument Is Erected by the State) (1)." The monument then details the societal impact the man has made, according to several governmental factions. It does not, however, tell you anything about the man himself, merely what is on paper about him. The monument covers everything from his job record to his health history, all documented parts of his life, showing the reader exactly what the "State" is concerned with.
             Irony and sarcasm help to portray the tone of "The Unknown Citizen." In phrases like, "Was he free? Was he happy? The question is absurd: Had anything been wrong, we should certainly have heard." (28-29), the irony is extremely evident, as it is ironic to the reader that those questions are raised while the rest of the poem addresses everything but his freedom or happiness. The poem merely contemplates the man's contributions to society as a whole, not his personal accomplishments, making the ending statements ironic, as it is obvious the "State" had no concern whatsoever with the man personally. The ending words can be viewed as sarcastic in a sense as well, as the "State" probably doesn't truly care whether the man was free or happy, it is merely asking the questions in a...