The Unknown Citizen :: essays research papers

The Unknown Citizen Is MeThe Unknown Citizen, a verse written by W.H. Auden, reflects a period of vast change in Americas history, making The Unknown Citizen an example of the governments view of the sinless modern man in an overrated, unrealistic society. During the time period that this poem was written, in the late 1930s, The United States was going through tremendous social, political and economic change. Following the passing of Black Monday and at the onset of The bulky Depression, many Americans held negative opinions of their government and the many positive aspects that once force citizens to the United States were becoming increasingly negative. The Great Depression fundamentally changed the kind between the government and its people. Citizens began to expect and accept a large federal role in their lives and the economy. During this time period, Americans were trimd cards with a modify federal numbers, better known as Social Security cards, which in turn depersona lized the political system of the United States.We the people, see our government as a coalition between our leaders and ourselves, leaders that we elect to render and enforce our values. They merely see us a number. This issue emerges presently with regard to the election of the next president of the United States. The entire issue deals not with the citizens wants and needs, precisely with the numbers. We atomic number 18 no longer individuals, but merely a vast pool of insignificant numbers. Numbers that precisely become imperative when the disparity between them is diminutive. Was he free? Was he happy? The question is absurd Had anything been wrong we should certainly have hear (Auden). This question is still organism asked today, the only difference now is that thither is no doubt whether or not the opinions of the masses are being heard. The question remaining is whether or not the government is actually perceive to the people.This poem also expresses that government ma kes it seem that everyone else is doing the right thing, so you must follow in their footsteps and if you do so your reward is a happy and fulfilled life with all the comforts of the modern man. The standards are constantly changing so that you will never reach the optimum point, therefore you must always strive to improve. This can be seen in the 2000 Presidential Race. We the people have followed the same uniform procedures in ascertain our presidents since the founding of our country, yet we are now being told these standards are over-the-hill and unreliable, which in turns breaks down our faith and the faith of other countries in our political system.