Chicago

Question

By Carl Sandburg
1914Carl Sandburg (1878-1967) was a Swedish-American poet, writer, and editor. In this poem, a speaker describes Chicago. As you read, take notes on how the speaker uses personification to describe the city.
"Chicago" by Tekniska museet is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
[1) Hog Butcher for the World, Tool Maker, Stacker of Wheat,
Player with Railroads and the Nation's Freight
Handler;Stormy, husky, brawling,
(5) 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 lai 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 again.
And they tell me you are brutal and my reply is: On the faces of women and children I have seen the r of wanton 1hunger.
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:
[10] Come and show me another city with lifted head singing so proud to be alive and coarse and stror and cunning.
Flinging mágnetic curses amid the toil of piling job on job, here is a tall bold slugger set vivid against th little soft cities;
Fierce as a dog with tongue lapping for action, cunning as a savage pitted against the wilderness,
Bareheaded, Shoveling,
[15] 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,
[20] Laughing even as an ignorant2fighter 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.
1. not limited or controlled
2. Ignorant (adjective) lacking knowledge or information about something"

Chicago" Poem
How is the city being described in the first stanza?

[1] Hog Butcher for the World,
• Tool Maker, Stacker of Wheat,
Player with Railroads and the Nation's Freight
handler;
Stormy, husky, brawling,
[5] City of the Big Shoulders,
which one is right

with strength

with weakness

with poverty

Answer 1

The city is being described with strength and power in the first stanza. The speaker uses personification by referring to Chicago as a "Hog Butcher for the World," a "Tool Maker," a "Player with Railroads," and a "Freight Handler," highlighting the city's industrial and economic prowess. The city is also described as "Stormy, husky, brawling," emphasizing its rough and tough nature. The phrase "City of the Big Shoulders" suggests that Chicago is a city known for its hard work and resilience.