Hog Butcher for the World,
Tool Maker, Stacker of Wheat,
Player with Railroads and the Nation’s Freight Handler;
Stormy, husky, brawling,
City of the Big Shoulders;
They tell me you are wicked and I believe them, for I have seen your
painted women under the gas lamps luring the farm boys.
And they tell me you are crooked and I answer: Yes, it is true I have
seen the gunman kill and go free to kill again.
And they tell me you are brutal and my reply is: On the faces of women
and children I have seen the marks of wanton hunger.
And having answered so I turn once more to those who sneer at this my
city, and I give them back the sneer and say to them:
Come and show me another city with lifted head singing so proud to be
alive and coarse and strong and cunning.
Flinging magnetic curses amid the toil of piling job on job, here is a tall
bold slugger set vivid against the little soft cities;
Fierce as a dog with tongue lapping for action, cunning as a savage pitted
against the wilderness,
Bareheaded,
Shoveling,
Wrecking,
Planning,
Bulding, breaking, rebuilding,
Under the smoke, dust all over his mouth, laughing with white teeth,
Under the terrible burden of destiny laughing as a young man laughs,
Laughing even as an ignorant fighter laughs who has never lost a battle,
Bragging and laughing that under his wrist is the pulse, and under his
ribs the heart of the people,
Laughing!
Laughing the stormy, husky, brawling laughter of Youth, half-naked,
sweating, pround to be Hog Butcher, Tool Maker, Stacker of Wheat,
Player with Railroads and Freight Handler to the Nation.
This poem by Carl Sandburg seems like it is about the hard times and wickedness of the city Chicago, but it isn’t. We hear of all the crime, labor, and conditions of this city which leaves an impression that the writer is shameful of this city, that he is pitying those who work or live in it but we soon are told that he would sneer at anyone who would sneer at his city. The workers in this city are proud of their city, proud of the vivacity and energy that is a result of their labor, a theme that is noticeable in the lively, rthymic tone of the poem.
In the poem “Chicago” I believe that it is talking about the traits of people in certain cities, and that anywhere you live, you will see all different types of people. It shows the city as having people whom are good, and some of which are not so good. But they are all connected in some way.
I think that Sandburg is using this poem to display the real difficulties in life. A city that is usually portayed as aplace of glamour and good times is portrayed in this poem as a harsh and unruly place to live. I think sandburg is demonstrating to the reader that life isnt always what it seems.
I believe that what this poem is trying to say is that it doesnt matter what city you live in. As long as you except it flaws and you are proud of the place you came from then it doesnt matter what other people think.In the poem “Chicago”, Sandburg wrote the poem as if he were talking to human being.
In the poem “Chicago” by Carl Sandburg, he is telling us about the city Chicago. In each stanza he describes the different problems that go on in the city life downtown. Sandburg writes as if Chicago is a living person.
“Chicago” according to Carl Sandburg is a place where there are things that you should be proud of and other things you should not be proud of. In the first stanza, Carl Sandburg shows that Chicago is a big city filled with industries that are really important and shows a positive vibe about Chicago. In the second stanza, it is filled with Chicago’s negativity like crimes and immorality. In the third stanza, it shows that whatever obstacle Chicago goes through it will strive to solve the problems and maintain to be the Chicago that the people know.
This poem is about the urban city of Chicago. It uses alot of personification in the way that Sandburg describes the city. He describes the city in a very negative way, talking about robbers and murderers and the big city life. The whole peom, he talks to Chicago as if it were a person.
“Chicago” by Carl Sandberg demonstrates Sandberg’s respect and possible fear of the city of Chicago. His use of apostrophe in this poem really brings it to life. The use of adjectives also creates strong imagery and reflection of Sandberg’s outlook on the city.
In this poem by Carl Sandburg, he uses apostrophes to mock the cities flaws like poverty and hunger. By reading this you think that the author is criticizing Chicago, but he ends up saying how proud and honorable it is. He states that there is no town that has this many problems and can still be so famous and glamourous.
Mrs. Bangert,
Chicago: I think that this poem was about how different people are. I also think that it depends on were they are and who they are with in there soroundings.I think that this poem was showing no matter were you are in the would there in no place that is better or worse than Chicago.
Ariel Ceballos
3rd Period
This poem is quite interesting. It shows me how Sandburg portrays Chicago in his own eyes. He describes it as a very hard city, yet it shows patriotism. What he’s saying is that he really loves Chicago. He’s standing up for his adored city, it’s very hearty.
this poem was about how sandburg felt towards his city. he treats the city like a human and admires many aspects of the city. his writting style enables him to be able to make this connection.
In the poem “Chicago, the author Carl Sandburg portrays chicago as a big family. How a family can still maintain itself through the ups and downs. He also shows pride in his city, and how he will defend it no matter what condition it is in.
In the poem “Chicago”, Carl Sandburg portrays the city as a person and mentions the problems within the city. However, he accepts and embraces Chicago despite all the problems within such as poverty and prostitution. He is comfortable with his mindset because he is already aware that the problems that is taking place in Chicago also exist in other cities.
In this poem written by Carl Sandburg, he talks about the city as a person. Carl uses what is called an apostrophe which is a digression in the form of an address to someone not present, or to a personified object or idea. Carl Sandburg personified the city by giving it human characteristics, “Under the smoke, dust all over his mouth, laughing with white teeth…”
In the poem Chicago, the author talks about the city as if it were a person. He talks about all the bad things in the city but also says how he likes it.
The city Chicago, according to Carl Sandburg is a city filled with misdemeanor. A City not worth living in, but a place filled with flourish materials, and a center of resources that Americans need.
The city Chicago, according to Carl Sandburg is a city filled with misdemeanor. A City not worth living in, but a place filled with flourish materials, and a center of resources that Americans need.
I have to say that I do not like this poem. The author descibes Chicago as dark and dangerous indirectly, because he doesn’t disagree with the people who describe Chicago. Even though it seems to be his hometown, he doesn’t show any emotion towards it; it just seems that he doesn’t really care. And honestly, this poem makes me sad.
There is no defense in this poem. In fact, he agrees with the critics. Sandburg makes no apologies for his city, nor does he try to “sell” its better side to others. The entire poem is a metaphor and a personification, bringing the city alive to those who will look and see. The obvious pride Sandburg feels for his city is displayed in strong words and strident language. But, then, isn’t that what real life is . . . strong, vibrant, strident, energetic? The poem was shocking to some at the time it was written (especially those who lived is “soft cities” on the East Coast). And I doubt very much whether Sandburg’s marvelous portrayal fits the Chicago of 2007. It’s a slice of time and history, beautifully portrayed.