The poem The Average by W.H. Auden expresses the theme that a person must follow their own dreams rather than the wishes of others, which could ultimately lead to one being pressured and afraid. W.H. Auden emphasizes the pressure of others using literary techniques such as, diction and alliteration.

The way, in which specific words are used, helps provide a degree of clarity and distinctness. This is clear when the author uses words like maps, supplies and desert. When the author uses the line, "so here he was without maps or supplies" (W.H. Auden, line9) we can see the use of diction. Maps are used to help someone who is lost and supplies also help you, this shows how the person the poem is talking about is lost and does not know exactly where to go and what to do, he is without a map...