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Comment 12 of 32, added on May 3rd, 2009 at 10:43 PM.
In the poem The Junk Man, Carl Sandburg uses an anaogly comparing a clock
that is wearing out to a person who is getting old. The Junk Man is the
person who has a job removing old people from life and taking them away to
death. People around the house joke about the bum clock which is refering
to how people often talk about the elderly as they begin to decline in
mental and physical health. Sandburg in the last sentence, talks about the
relief somebody feels when they are finally carried away in the arms of the
junk man, this relates to a person who has lived their life and is ready to
accept death.
Ashley Engeln from United States
Comment 11 of 32, added on May 3rd, 2009 at 8:43 PM.
In Carl Sandburg's poem "The Junk Man", he uses metaphors to show how the
elderly are like broken clocks and how Death is like the junk man. He shows
how it is Death's job to remove elderly people who no longer are a benefit
to society, just as it is the junk man's job to remove a broken clock.
Furthermore, the use of a clock rather than any other broken household item
shows that Sandburg also meant the clock to symbolize time an how it runs
out as life comes to an end. Finally, Sandburg, relating to how he had
worked for most of his life, gave Death a job to show that no matter who
someone is or where they are there is always work to be done.
Jonathon Berschauer
Comment 10 of 32, added on April 23rd, 2009 at 11:19 AM.
In The Junk Man by Carl Sandburg it is symbolzing the end of your life
ticking down.It may also being symbolzing lonley people who feel as if they
dont belong. When I read this poem and as it was ending I didnt want it to
end, I wanted to read more. Sandburg writes his poems so well and has
everybody waiting for more.My favorite part of this poem is how he compares
a worn out old clock that doesnt work properly anymore to a life that
doesnt belong there or someone who is very sick and doesnt function
properly. This is one of my favorite poems by him it was wonderful!
Ashley Engeln from United States
Comment 9 of 32, added on May 14th, 2007 at 7:26 PM.
Ann, how beautifully you express yourself, like Sandburg.
This poem reminds me of "The Emperor of Ice Cream" by Wallace Stevens, and
not just because both are about death, but because both equate death with
the ordinary aspects of life. Death is final, but it is not the enemy, nor
is the junk man, the emperor of ice cream, the run-down clock or the "sheet
on which she embroidered fan tails once", these are all just part of the
whole. As are we.
Kate from United States
Comment 8 of 32, added on May 14th, 2007 at 12:58 AM.
At 80 I have great appreciation for Sandburg's poem.
I have seen many who were grateful to feel those loving arms of the junk
man.
Ann from United States
Comment 7 of 32, added on April 9th, 2006 at 9:41 PM.
I was listening on WGN, Chicago last night and heard this. I do not know
much about Carl Sandburg, but after hearing this, I soon will. Moving! To
the person that commented afore that this was some what stupid, I say, they
have never walked passed a person in a nursing home sitting in a wheel
chair w/o any attention, near death already, and that the Junk Man would be
welcome at any time there. It sure would be for me.....JC
Joe Chanley from United States
Comment 6 of 32, added on March 14th, 2006 at 4:53 PM.
THIS POEM IS THE BEST. WHO EVER THINKS OTHERWISE IS A
COMUNIST
bob from United Kingdom
Comment 5 of 32, added on February 17th, 2006 at 3:00 PM.
I think this poem is somewhat stupid .
Tieu Mai from Vietnam
Comment 4 of 32, added on June 26th, 2005 at 9:16 PM.
My mom recently died. She used to carry a copy of this poem around in her
wallet. She shared it with me many years ago. She really loved it, so do I.
Unfortunately she lived it too. It was her greatest fear to be a prisoner
of her body and mind. I am sure she was relieved when the junk man came. I
will miss her terribly! Thank you for showing me this poem mommy it means
so much to me. Love, Laurel
laurel from United States
Comment 3 of 32, added on March 29th, 2005 at 9:25 PM.
This poem symbolizes the reassurance at the end of life, because really it
is not the end at all. Everyone goes through old age in life, which
includes ridicule and the malfunctioning of the body in everyway. No matter
what there is always hope in life, and once you have lived and served your
part, you will be taken away to eternal happiness.
Kasia from United States
This poem has been commented on more than 10 times. Click below to see the other comments.
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In the poem The Junk Man, Carl Sandburg uses an anaogly comparing a clock
that is wearing out to a person who is getting old. The Junk Man is the
person who has a job removing old people from life and taking them away to
death. People around the house joke about the bum clock which is refering
to how people often talk about the elderly as they begin to decline in
mental and physical health. Sandburg in the last sentence, talks about the
relief somebody feels when they are finally carried away in the arms of the
junk man, this relates to a person who has lived their life and is ready to
accept death.
Ashley Engeln from United States