Poem by Wystan Hugh Auden

The Unknown Citizen

(To JS/07/M/378 
This Marble Monument 
Is Erected by the State)

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 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 a drink
The Press are convinced that he bought a paper every day
And that his reactions to advertisements were normal in every way
Policies taken out in his name prove that he was fully insured
And his Health-card shows he was once in hospital but left
      it cured.
Both Producers Research and High-Grade Living declare
He was fully sensible to advantages of the Instalment Plan
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 of year-
When there was peace, he was for peace; when there was war he
      went.
He was married and added children to the population
Which our Eugenist says was the right number for a parent of his
      generation,
And our teachers report that he never interfered with their
      education.
Was he free? Was he happy? The question is absurd-
Had anything been wrong, we should certainly have heard.

1. The Sabbath
2. Lullaby
3. Who’s Who
4. O Where Are You Going...
5. Limbo Culture

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