Chicago
by Carl Sandburg
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,
Building, 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, proud to be Hog Butcher, Tool Maker, Stacker of Wheat, Player with Railroads and Freight Handler to the Nation.
Summary of Chicago
- Popularity of “Chicago”: This poem by Carl Sandburg, a celebrated American poet, was published in March of 1914. It is a powerful depiction of Chicago, not as a pristine ideal, but as a vital, energetic, and often gritty city. The poem is notable for its directness and its refusal to shy away from the less appealing aspects of urban life. Sandburg does not attempt to gloss over the city’s flaws; instead, he embraces them as integral to its character.
- Chicago as a Representative of Urbanity and Love of the Birthplace: The poem begins by listing the roles Chicago plays in the nation’s economy: “Hog Butcher,” “Tool Maker,” “Stacker of Wheat,” immediately establishing it as a city of industry and work. Sandburg acknowledges criticism, noting rumors of the city’s wickedness, crookedness, and brutality. He does not deny these accusations. Instead, he confirms them, grounding them in witnessed realities—the plight of women and children, the impunity of criminals. This honesty is crucial; it is not a defense against criticism, but a reclamation of the city’s narrative. The poet proudly proclaims Chicago’s resilience and vitality, presenting it as a force to be reckoned with.
- Major Themes in “Chicago”: Intelligence, patriotism, and love of one’s birthplace are central to the poem’s thematic structure. Sandburg does not romanticize Chicago; he presents a complex portrait, acknowledging both its strengths and weaknesses. The poem speaks to the energy and ambition that drive a growing city. It also acknowledges the hardships and inequalities that can accompany such growth. Ultimately, “Chicago” is a celebration of the city’s raw, untamed spirit, a spirit that refuses to be defined by conventional standards.
Analysis of Literary Devices Used in Chicago
Literary devices are tools used by writers and poets to convey their emotions, feelings, and ideas to the readers. Carl Sandburg expertly employs various literary devices to enhance the impact of his poem. Some of the major devices are detailed below.
- Assonance: Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds within words. Notice the repetition of the short “a” sound in “Player with Railroads and the Nation’s Freight Handler.” This subtle repetition creates a musical quality and draws attention to these key phrases.
- Anaphora: Anaphora is the repetition of a phrase at the beginning of successive sentences or verses. The repeated phrase “And they tell me…” serves to acknowledge the criticisms leveled against Chicago before Sandburg responds. It establishes a pattern of accusation and rebuttal, creating a dynamic rhythm.
- Consonance: Consonance is the repetition of consonant sounds within words. The repetition of the “r” sound in “Player with Railroads and the Nation’s Freight Handler” adds to the poem’s musicality and reinforces the image of industrial activity. Similarly, the repetition of the “n” sound in “Under the terrible burden of destiny laughing as a young man laughs” creates a sense of momentum.
- Alliteration: Alliteration is the repetition of consonant sounds in quick succession. An example is the repetition of the “b” sound in “Building, breaking, rebuilding.” This creates a powerful and memorable effect, emphasizing the city’s constant cycle of construction and destruction.
- Imagery: Sandburg uses vivid imagery to paint a picture of Chicago. Phrases like “Tool Maker, Stacker of Wheat” and “Under the smoke, dust all over his mouth” appeal to the reader’s senses, creating a visceral experience of the city.
- Irony: There is a subtle irony in the way Sandburg acknowledges the negative criticisms of Chicago. He does not deny them; instead, he embraces them, suggesting that these flaws are part of what makes the city unique and vital.
- Personification: Sandburg frequently personifies Chicago, giving the city human qualities. Phrases like “City of the Big Shoulders” and “Fierce as a dog with tongue lapping for action” imbue the city with a sense of strength, energy, and even aggression.
- Simile: Sandburg uses similes to create striking comparisons. The phrase “Fierce as a dog with tongue lapping for action” emphasizes Chicago’s untamed and energetic spirit.
- Apostrophe: Apostrophe is a direct address to an absent or inanimate object. Addressing Chicago as “City of the Big Shoulders” is a form of apostrophe, creating a sense of intimacy and direct connection.
- Enjambment: Enjambment occurs when a thought continues from one line to the next without punctuation. An example is: “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.” This technique creates a sense of momentum and encourages the reader to continue reading.
Analysis of Poetic Devices Used in Chicago
Poetic and literary devices often overlap. Here’s a deeper look at devices specifically prevalent in poetry.
- Stanza: A stanza is a grouping of lines in a poem, akin to a paragraph in prose. “Chicago” is composed of relatively short, free verse stanzas, which contribute to its conversational tone and rapid pace.
- Free Verse: Free verse is poetry that does not adhere to a regular rhyme scheme or metrical pattern. “Chicago” is a prime example of free verse, giving Sandburg the freedom to create a rhythm that mirrors the energy and chaos of the city. This lack of traditional structure is intentional; it reflects the unpolished, raw nature of Chicago itself.
- Repetition: Sandburg effectively uses repetition for rhetorical impact. The repeated phrase “They tell me you…” establishes a pattern of accusation and rebuttal, while the repetition of “laughing” emphasizes the city’s vitality and resilience.
Quotes to be Used
- The lines below are useful as a quote for those who never give up.
“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.”
2. The following lines are useful to praise one’s city.
Come and show me another city with lifted head singing so proud to be alive and coarse and strong and cunning.