Chicago2

 == Carolyn's Paragraph In the poem "Chicago" there are many hidden messages behind each phrase that Sandburg uses to describe the pros and cons to allow readers to see what the city life was like during that time period. "...for I have seen the painted women under the gas lumps luring the farm boys" pg. 824. There he states that there is prostitution as if it is common. Along with the prostitution, Sandburg also states the crime and poverty issues. "..I have seen the kill and go free to kill again" -pg 825. "I have seen the marks of wanton hunger." -pg 825. 

 Karly's Paragraph

I believe that this poem, Chicago, is trying to make you understand what it's like to live in a metropolis. Carl Sandburg speaks about prostitutes, occupational struggle, poverty, and hunger. It also speaks of the work they have to do such as butcher, tool-maker, and railroad worker. Then at the end it says that they are proud to do what they do, and proud to be part of a big city. "Laughing the stormy, husky, brawling laughter of youth..." This part of the poem states that they are happy to do what they do.

 poem states in     

    city       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 and under his ribs the heart of the people,  



Carl Sandburg was born 1878 in the state of Illinois and lived in the city of Chicago. He was a reporter for "Chicago Daily News" Sandburg often enjoyed writing poems that related to his life ie "Chicago" The poem describes the hardships of the city during the 1920s.   The poems Form is free verse because it is written without using strict meter of rhyme and still makes a point. The lines of poetry differ greatly between  "** Come and show me another city with lifted head singing so proud to be alive and coarse and strong and cunning." ** to simple lines ** of "Laughing!" **    The poem is divided into stanzas consisting of 27 lines.

Carl Sandburg uses various symbols to represent certain meanings throughout the poem. one example would be the "painted women" which represents prostitution. Along with the "painted women" Sandburg also states "gunman" describing the crime, and "wanton hunger" meaning poverty. In general, he uses **symbols** to connect with the readers on a different level.

The overall **mood** of this poem is calm. I personally feel as if Sandburg is trying to state logical reasonings to describe the city life at that time period. He shows that even at the worst times, the people of the city make the best of any situation. Showing the readers the hardships that went on allows us to see what life was really like in order to live a normal life. He repeats the phrases such as "laughing" to show that even at the worse of times, they made the best of the situation. The theme of the poem is hardworking people, living in the city of chicago, and doing what they can do in order to survive the city life.

Carolyn's Paragraph  In the poem "Chicago" there are many hidden messages behind each phrase that Sandburg uses to describe the pros and cons to allow readers to see what the city life was like during that time period. "...for I have seen the painted women under the gas lumps luring the farm boys" pg. 824. There he states that there is prostitution occurring as if it is common. Along with the prostitution, Sandburg also states the crime and poverty issues. "..I have seen the gunman kill and go free to kill again" -pg 825. "I have seen the marks of wanton hunger." -pg 825. The poem states along with the bad that occurs in the city there is still laughing going on. “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!” - pg. 826. In general I believe this poem makes logical points and emphasizes the hardworking and dedication citizens put forth in order to survive the city life.