The concept of tradition is deeply ingrained in human societies, as it serves as a way to connect people to their cultural and societal roots. It is the marrow of tradition that helps to shape the way we view the world and our place in it, influencing our values, beliefs, and behaviors.
Traditions can take many forms, from the way we celebrate holidays and rituals to the customs and practices that are passed down from generation to generation. They can be small, personal traditions within a family, or they can be larger cultural traditions that are shared by a community or society.
One of the main functions of tradition is to provide a sense of belonging and connection to others. When we participate in traditional activities and customs, we are reminded of our place within a larger community and the shared history that we have with others. This sense of belonging can be particularly important in times of change or uncertainty, as it helps to provide a sense of stability and continuity.
Traditions also serve as a way to preserve cultural heritage and pass it down to future generations. Whether it is through oral storytelling, cultural festivals, or the preservation of historical sites and artifacts, traditions help to keep the memory and significance of a culture alive.
However, traditions are not always static and can evolve over time. As societies change and new influences are introduced, traditional practices and customs may be adapted or modified in order to remain relevant and meaningful. This process of change and adaptation can be a natural and important part of the evolution of a tradition.
In conclusion, the marrow of tradition is a vital part of human societies, serving as a way to connect people to their cultural and societal roots and preserve cultural heritage. It is through the continuation and evolution of traditions that we are able to understand and appreciate the rich tapestry of human cultures.
The Unknown Citizen Summary by W. H. Auden
The citizen, …worked in a factory and never got fired, But satisfied his employers, Fudge Motors Inc. The unnamed man established a name for himself within his community and appears to be living the American Dream. By the end of the poem, the poet asks two questions. But in the case of a man who reduced to measurable quantities and who is a slave to statistics, trade unionism, social psychology, and opinion polls, this question is irrelevant. He was a modelled citizen who not only did what society thought was best, he did what he needed to do to create a good life for his family. Freedom of speech does not mean saying anything, but to know that you can afford to say anything. The anonymous individual, merely just a statistic, blends in the ocean of other typical average Joes and does not make a significant difference to the daily flow of civil society.
The Unknown Citizen Poem Summary and Analysis
Policies taken out in his name prove that he was fully insured, … A gramophone, a radio, a car and a frigidaire. The Press are convinced that he bought a paper every day And that his reactions to advertisements were normal in every way. In the final section of the poem, the speaker concludes his report. The poem lists several items necessary to modern man. However, the lines in the poem were organized without meter. The reader has a feeling of invasion of privacy by the state, which is very much a part of modern day life, whether we like it or not.
The Unknown Citizen by W. H. Auden. Poem Review
Was he free during his life? He did not get dismissed from his job during his tenure. Ironically like the Big Brother concept, the poem predicts or even warns about the future that could have many organzations that watch over and check on citizens. The question at the end of the poem is quite thought-provoking. The unnamed citizen lives a life that satisfies those around him: He was found by the Bureau of Statistics to be One against whom there was no official complaint And all the reported on his conduct agree That, in the modern senses of the old-fashioned word, he was a saint. He is properly insured and his health card records no serious incident of illness. By making effective use of satire, humor, irony, colloquial tone, unemotional language, and awkward rhyming he presents the predicament of modern man. Auden used allusion to give the reader insight on how dedicated the unnamed man was to his job and what he believed in: He worked in a factory and never got fired But satisfied his employers, Fudge Motors Inc.
