Topic > Richard Cory and the Unknown Citizen by Edward...

The structure can also be seen as an example of the rigorous organization that the evaluators of the unknown citizens looked for and found in him. It is very matter-of-fact and emotionless and addresses the fact that all society seeks is complacency and cooperation with the rules in its citizens. “Was he free? Was he happy? The question is absurd: if something had gone wrong, we would certainly have known about it" (The Unknown Line 28-29). The poem ends with a rhyming pair, comparing the two most important lines of the poem. After all the cold and unconventional trials this man had to go through, the speaker asks the important questions, but is ignored. The bureaucracy, which is a symbol for society, holds to the view that since it was within the parameters of normality, then everything must be okay. The speaker's rancorous tone towards the Government is also expressed by the poet WH Auden. In an interview he is asked about government and he replies: “I think we should do very well without politicians. Our leaders should be elected by lot. People could vote according to their conscience and computers could take care of the rest.” He just doesn't want the government to take over and treat us like pawns in their game of normalcy and complacency instead of human beings; which is depicted in the poem “The Unknown