The rise of consumerism in the 20th century has had an impact on traditional value systems and beliefs. As the leader of the "Auden generation," Auden reflected various social phenomena and survival difficulties through poetry. The Nameless Citizen "is a short poem written by Auden after he immigrated to the United States. Compared with other works of the same period, it shifts its perspective to ordinary people in the ordinary world, and examines the survival difficulties of modern people and the unidirectionality of modern society by depicting the image of exemplary modern" hollow people ". Auden pondered the paradox of individual development in consumer society from three dimensions: affirmative and negative dimensions, objective and subjective needs, and positive and negative freedom. He believes that modern society uses consumption as a medium to manipulate people's needs and desires, weakening their subjectivity and critical thinking abilities. Individual freedom has its rationality and public value, and human liberation lies in transcending the paradox of individual development and achieving comprehensive development of human freedom.

1、 Unidirectional individuals: the paradox of personality development between affirmative and negative dimensions

Deeply explored Auden's reflection on the abnormal development of modern civilization and consumer society in his poetry creation. Auden believed that human survival difficulties are closely related to the current social situation, especially anxiety about the American social landscape. The article places Auden's poetry in the historical, social, economic, and cultural context in which it was created, analyzing his understanding of the chaotic real world and his pursuit of an ideal society. Auden also expressed criticism of the consumer society in his essays and essays, believing that consumer culture has had an impact on art, and art has lost its social effectiveness, being seen as an unnecessary activity in a society dominated by labor values. He emphasized that the realization of individual free will must be accompanied by changes in the external environment, demonstrating the necessity of action and the urgency of change. The poem 'Citizen' diagnoses social diseases through a calm and realistic writing style, showcasing various aspects of modern citizens' daily lives and revealing the reasons why they become one-dimensional individuals. Marcuse pointed out in "One Dimensional Man" that developed industrial societies suppressed the need for freedom, and technological achievements achieved control over material and spiritual production, leading to the emergence of one-dimensional citizens. The essence of a consumer society is to create surplus goods and increase their symbolic value through the accumulation of goods, achieving a comprehensive encirclement of people. Consumer culture strengthens the affirmative thinking ability of individuals and society, weakens the negative critical power, and achieves comprehensive control over people. Auden warned the world not to rely on machines for hope, and his poetry expressed concern about the by-products of modernization processes such as wealth inequality, industrial destruction, and ecological crises.

2、 Loss of subjectivity: ethical dilemma between objective and subjective needs

Explored the erosion of individual subjectivity by consumer culture and how this erosion leads to ethical dilemmas. Auden revealed the paradox of individual development in developed industrial civilization through his poem "The Nameless Citizen", in which the consumer society erodes individual consciousness through capitalist private ownership and consumer culture, causing people to constantly increase subjective desires while satisfying objective needs, leading to alienation and loss of subjectivity. The "nameless citizen" in poetry symbolizes the inevitable product of the development stage of modern civilization, reflecting the logic of "homogenization" in the consumer society. Auden criticized the unstable factors brought about by technological innovation and its impact on human social relations through multiple hints, such as descriptions of "saints" and references to "Fauci Motor Company". At the same time, the chapter also discusses how consumer culture creates illusions between objective and subjective needs, masking the objective fact of "demand productivity" and leading to the decline of modern civil war ethics. Auden's poetry creation aims to reflect the public responsibility of writers through the attribute of literature towards goodness, guide people to act towards goodness, and rebuild a good social order.

3、 Positive Freedom and Negative Freedom: The Public Value of Individual Freedom

Explored Auden's speculation on the public value of individual freedom in "The Nameless Citizen". Auden proposed the relationship between individual freedom and happiness through poetry, implying the necessity of action, and emphasizing the close connection between individual freedom and rational thinking, personal will, and diverse values. He criticized the discipline of individual free will in the consumer society, pointing out that consumer freedom blurs the boundary between the private and public spheres, leading to individual freedom tending towards collective failure. Auden's viewpoint echoes Isaiah Berlin's distinction between negative and positive freedom, emphasizing that the realization of individual freedom should not rely solely on external coercive forces, but should pursue flexible forces such as ideal beliefs and moral sentiments. Poetry explores the destructive effect of consumer culture on individual free will by shaping the image of modern "hollow people" and guiding people to take good actions. Individual development must balance both positive and negative aspects. Although consumer culture conforms to market laws, there is a possibility of rebuilding a better life. Individual freedom has its rationality and public value, and human liberation lies in transcending the paradox of individual development and achieving comprehensive development of human freedom.