Commentary on "Chicago" by Carl Sandburg
In 1914, a man named Carl Sandburg, born in 1878, wrote the poem entitled "Chicago". When it was written, this became one of the most important poems of the first half of the century. Even though the author was not originally from the city of Chicago, but from Galesburg, Illinois, he managed live there long enough to obtain a great sense of pride and honor from being there and to write the poem with its title. He uses his poem to explain the feelings he has about the city and its people. In Sandburg's poem, he is telling about his beloved city of Chicago. Even though there were both positive and negative traits that he saw in the city, he really shows how very proud of Chicago that he actually was. Sandburg recognizes the weaknesses of the city and he knows that others recognize then too. He also knows that people tend to see negativity and continue to focus on it without even reaching to good things. So in his poem, the author's basic intention is to defend the city against its critics. He tries to convince people that once you look past everything that
The author uses repetition and personification by repeating the word "laugh". In lines 17-23, this word is used nine times by the author to describe the city as being happy, regardless of what is said about it. It is alive and proud and cannot be changed. "Under the terrible burden of destiny laughing as a young man laughs" (L.18). Carl Sandburg loved his city. He was extremely proud to be there and to know about this wonderful place. He is excited to have had the pleasure of living in and feeling a city as grand as this one. The author does an excellent job of showing the reader these emotions he has all throughout the poem. "Chicago" may not have made me feel exactly the way Sandburg felt, or how he thought I should have felt about the city, but it will definitely made me think twice about judging something if I have not necessarily looked at all the aspects of it. Sandburg loved his city, and so did its people. "...under his wrists is the pulse, and under his ribs the heart of the people, laughing" (L.20-22). In line 9, the author's thoughts
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Approximate Word count = 720
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)
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