How we cite our quotes: (line)
Quote #1
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. (lines 3-5)
In this state, religion is considered "old-fashioned," probably because it is considered a competitor to the interests of the nation. Can patriotism be a religious phenomenon? What is the "modern sense" of the word "saint," and who is included or left out in "the Greater Community"? The idea here actually sounds fairly appealing, but in the words of the speaker, it comes across as creepy. Why?
Quote #2
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. (lines 6-8)
In the 1930s and now, doing one’s job and contributing to the economy are considered patriotic. On the totem pole of bureaucracies, the government is slightly above the corporation, which is why the State can call citizens away from their jobs to serve in the army during a war. These lines are the first to indicate that the setting of the poem is probably America. Are Americans more patriotic than other nations? What are the benefits and drawbacks of our kind of patriotism?
Quote #3
(Our report on his Union shows it was sound)
During the 1930s, many people were concerned that labor unions were secretly plotting to overthrow the government and bring about a communist society. If your union was "unsound," you were considered unpatriotic.
Quote #4
Both Producers Research and High-Grade Living declare
He was fully sensible to the advantages of the Instalment Plan (lines 18-19)
The Instalment Plan! Our savior! Even though buying things on credit can get people into serious debt, the practice is often encouraged because it stimulates the economy and creates jobs.
Quote #5
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. (lines 22-24)
Only the "proper opinions" are considered patriotic, especially when they have to do with war. The poem treats "war" and "peace" as if they were seasons of the year: "Ah, it’s spring, we must be at war. Okay, now it’s summer, we’re at peace again." We’re exaggerating, of course, but you get the idea.
Quote #6
He was married and added five children to the population,
Which our Eugenist says was the right number for a parent of his generation. (lines 25-26)
Having kids was considered patriotic because it meant more people in the labor force. But having too many kids would mean overpopulation. Fortunately, the Unknown Citizen’s five kids comes to just the right number.
Quote #7
Was he free? Was he happy? The question is absurd. (line 28)
Patriotism is all well and good, but if the average person in a society isn’t free or happy, what’s the point? It’s kind of sad that the Unknown Citizen tried so hard to please the State, but the bureaucratic speaker of the poem obviously doesn’t care about him.