Exploring the Text

Access the text here.

  1. What does the title remind you of? How is it allusive? How is it a play on words? Explain whether or not it has personal meaning for you. What might it have meant in W. H. Auden’s time?

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - What does the title remind you of? How is it allusive? How is it a play on words? Explain whether or not it has personal meaning for you. What might it have meant in W. H. Auden’s time?
  2. What is the effect of the rhyme in “The Unknown Citizen”?

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - What is the effect of the rhyme in “The Unknown Citizen”?
  3. Note the list of possessions in line 21: “A phonograph, a radio, a car and a frigidaire.” What would that list consist of if the poem were written today?

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - Note the list of possessions in line 21: “A phonograph, a radio, a car and a frigidaire.” What would that list consist of if the poem were written today?
  4. What do you think Auden means in line 27: “And our teachers report that he never interfered with their education”?

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - What do you think Auden means in line 27: “And our teachers report that he never interfered with their education”?
  5. What argument does “The Unknown Citizen” make on the subject of citizenship? How does Auden support his claim?

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - What argument does “The Unknown Citizen” make on the subject of citizenship? How does Auden support his claim?
  6. This poem is considered satirical. What are the targets of the satire?

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - This poem is considered satirical. What are the targets of the satire?