Question

Chicagoby Carl SandburgHog-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.291And 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."Chicago" by Carl SandburgQuestionUse the poem to answer the question.Which statement analyzes how the poem reflects themes and issues of its time period?(1 point)ResponsesThe poem’s descriptions of Chicago reflect themes of industrialization and urbanization and show why people chose to live in the country and not in a city.The poem’s descriptions of Chicago reflect themes of industrialization and urbanization and show why people chose to live in the country and not in a city.The poem describes the problems with big cities in the United States, which reflects themes of class conflict and social injustice.The poem describes the problems with big cities in the United States, which reflects themes of class conflict and social injustice.The poem’s themes of political and moral corruption reflect why people in Chicago were ashamed of their city.The poem’s themes of political and moral corruption reflect why people in Chicago were ashamed of their city.The poem’s themes of triumph and tragedy reflect the benefits and challenges of the development of big cities in the United States.

Answer 1

The most appropriate statement that analyzes how the poem reflects themes and issues of its time period is:

The poem’s themes of triumph and tragedy reflect the benefits and challenges of the development of big cities in the United States.

This choice captures the dual nature of the poem, highlighting both the pride and vibrancy of Chicago as a center of industrialization and the darker aspects associated with urban life, such as violence and poverty. Sandburg celebrates the city's strength and resilience while also acknowledging its flaws, embodying the complexities of urbanization during that era.