ABHI VARUN MADELA

5/19/23
CHICAGO – CARL SANDBURG

1.     In your own words describe the city's 4 negative qualities conceded by the poet. Support
your answer with direct quotations for each one. (4)

In "Chicago," Carl Sandburg concedes four negative qualities of the city, providing a vivid
portrayal that captures the essence of its complexities. Firstly, he describes Chicago as the "Hog
Butcher for the World," acknowledging its deep association with the gritty and gruesome
meatpacking industry. By using this phrase, Sandburg evokes an image of the city's involvement
in the slaughtering process, emphasizing the harsh realities of labor and the nature of its
industrial backbone. The direct quotation "Hog Butcher for the World, / Tool Maker, Stacker of
Wheat, / Player with Railroads and the Nation's Freight Handler" not only presents the negative
quality of the city's involvement in the meat industry but also expands to encompass its
broader roles as a hub of labor, commerce, and transportation (lines 3-5).

Secondly, Sandburg presents Chicago as the "City of the Big Shoulders," a symbolic description
that symbolizes the burdens and responsibilities the city carries. It represents the weight of the
challenges faced by Chicago, both in terms of physical labor and figurative struggles. By using
this phrase, Sandburg captures the resiliency and tenacity of the city and its inhabitants. The
direct quotation "Under the smoke, dust all over his mouth, / Laughing with white teeth, /
Under the terrible burden of destiny laughing as a young man laughs" effectively portrays the
negative quality of shouldering burdens and the daunting destiny that Chicago faces (lines 7-9).

Thirdly, the poet portrays Chicago as fierce and relentless, using vivid imagery to emphasize its
intense and unyielding nature. Sandburg describes the city as "Fierce as a dog with tongue
lapping for action, cunning as a savage pitted against the wilderness." This simile not only
characterizes Chicago's temperament but also showcases its persistent drive and calculated
approach in navigating the challenges it confronts. The poet's intention is to convey the
negative quality of an unrelenting and at times ruthless nature that permeates the city's
character (lines 17-18).

Lastly, Sandburg depicts Chicago as "Bareheaded," conveying a sense of rawness, authenticity,

and lack of pretense. This metaphorical description signifies a city stripped of superficiality and
ornamentation, emphasizing its unadorned and straightforward nature. By employing this
metaphor, Sandburg suggests a negative quality of Chicago's rawness, exposing the grit and
realities of urban life without any embellishments. The direct quotation "Bareheaded, /
Shoveling, wrecking, planning, building, breaking, rebuilding" further reinforces the negative
quality of an exposed and unadorned existence that the city embodies (lines 21-22).
 ABHI VARUN MADELA
5/19/23
CHICAGO – CARL SANDBURG

2.     In a single word what, to Sandburg, is Chicago's greatest quality. All other qualities flow
from this one. (1)

According to Sandburg, Chicago's greatest quality can be captured in a single word: "Stormy."
This word carries a multitude of meanings and encapsulates the essence of the city's character.
Sandburg sees Chicago as a dynamic, energetic, and ever-changing metropolis, much like a
turbulent storm. By using the word "Stormy," the poet emphasizes the relentless pace of life,
the tumultuous nature of its growth, and the fierce determination that drives the city forward.
Sandburg suggests that all other qualities flow from this central attribute. The storms symbolize
the vitality, resilience, and constant evolution of Chicago, making it a force to be reckoned with.
From the stormy energy of the people to the storm of progress and innovation, Chicago's
greatest quality lies in its ability to harness and navigate the storms that shape its identity.

3.     The whole poem is a personification. Pick out 3 examples. (3)

Throughout the poem, "Chicago," Sandburg employs personification as a literary device to bring
the city to life, endowing it with human characteristics and emotions. Firstly, he personifies
Chicago as a male figure, depicting it as laughing "with white teeth" and having dust all over its
mouth. This personification breathes life into the city, transforming it into a vivid and animated
thing that shows vitality and joy. The laughter becomes a symbol of resilience and an
embodiment of the city's vibrant spirit. Sandburg uses this personification to emphasize
Chicago's liveliness, highlighting its ability to find joy and laughter despite its challenging
circumstances (lines 8-9).

Secondly, the poet presents the city as engadsxwedging in seductive actions through the
personification of painted women under the gas lamps, luring farm boys. By attributing the act
of seduction to the city itself, Sandburg gives Chicago a seductive and alluring quality. The
personification of the painted women represents the city's ability to captivate and entice,
drawing in unsuspecting individuals who are enticed by the allure of urban life. It showcases
Chicago's power to tempt and seduce, capturing the imaginations of those who seek fortune or
adventure within its boundaries (lines 12-13).

Lastly, Sandburg personifies Chicago as an active and industrious figure, attributing physical
actions and characteristics to the city. He describes Chicago as "Bareheaded, Shoveling,
wrecking, planning, building, breaking, rebuilding." This personification transforms the city into
an industrious worker, engaged in various physical tasks. By attributing these actions to
Chicago, Sandburg emphasizes the city's relentless activity, its tireless work ethic, and its
continuous pursuit of progress and growth. The personification serves to animate the city,
showcasing its role as a bustling center of labor and construction (lines 21-22).
 ABHI VARUN MADELA
5/19/23
CHICAGO – CARL SANDBURG

4.     Pick out 2 examples of simile. (2) (right minus wrong)

Carl Sandburg employs similes in "Chicago" to create vivid comparisons that enhance the
imagery and deepen the reader's understanding of the city's qualities. One notable example is
the simile that describes Chicago as "Fierce as a dog with tongue lapping for action, cunning as
a savage pitted against the wilderness." This comparison heightens the sense of intensity and
determination that characterizes the city. The simile contrasts the fierce nature of Chicago to
that of a dog eagerly anticipating action and the resourcefulness of a savage confronting the
challenges of the untamed wilderness. By employing this simile, Sandburg captures the
unyielding spirit and unrelenting energy that define Chicago's nature (lines 17-18).

Another simile in the poem is seen when Sandburg acknowledges the city's corruption, stating,
"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." This simile draws a comparison between the corrupt nature of the city and
the actions of a gunman who evades punishment and continues to perpetrate harm. By likening
the city's corruption to the impunity of a gunman, Sandburg vividly portrays the negative
quality of Chicago's moral decay and the absence of justice within its boundaries. This simile
serves to expose the harsh realities and moral ambiguities that exist in the urban landscape
(lines 14-15).

5. Pick out 2 examples of metaphor different than #3. (2)

In addition to the personification examples mentioned earlier, Sandburg also employs

metaphor in "Chicago" to convey his message and create powerful imagery. One prominent
metaphor is "City of the Big Shoulders," which characterizes Chicago as a city with metaphorical
"big shoulders." This metaphor signifies the city's strength, resilience, and the burdens it
carries. It paints a picture of a city that can shoulder immense responsibilities, endure
hardships, and face challenges head-on. The metaphor encapsulates the unconquerable spirit
of the city and its inhabitants, emphasizing their ability to persevere and overcome adversity.

Another metaphorical phrase used by Sandburg is when he describes Chicago as the "Tool
Maker, Stacker of Wheat, Player with Railroads and the Nation's Freight Handler." This
metaphor compares the city to various skilled entities, portraying it as an instrumental force in
industry, agriculture, and transportation. The metaphor highlights Chicago's central role in
shaping the nation's economy and infrastructure, emphasizing its power and influence. It
represents the city as a pivotal player in the nation's development and progress, capturing its
significance and impact on a grand scale.
 ABHI VARUN MADELA
5/19/23
CHICAGO – CARL SANDBURG

6.     What other poems in these handouts are free verse? (Right minus wrong)

1. "Good Morning" by Langston Hughes: This poem exemplifies free verse with its absence of a
consistent rhyme scheme or metrical pattern. It is composed of four stanzas of varying lengths,
each containing lines with different numbers of syllables. The poem relies on the natural flow of
language and the poet's creative expression to convey its message. The lack of formal structure
allows Hughes to experiment with line breaks and rhythm, creating a sense of impulsiveness
and capturing the essence of a morning awakening.

2. "Dream Deferred" by Langston Hughes: This poem is another example of free verse. It
consists of a series of questions and vivid imagery, exploring the consequences of unfulfilled
dreams. The poem does not adhere to a specific rhyme scheme or meter, allowing Hughes to
focus on the power of the words and their impact. The use of imagery, metaphors, and
rhetorical questions is not constrained by a strict form, enabling Hughes to convey his message
with a sense of urgency and emotional depth.

On the other hand, the other poems "City" by James Daly and "City: San Francisco" by Langston
Hughes are not written in free verse. They both employ a more structured and traditional
approach to poetic form, with consistent rhyme schemes and metrical patterns.