Pride In The Windy City

Since the birth of the Declaration of Independence, Americans have had a sense of pride that separates us from the rest of the world. America’s sense of nationalism and patriotism is a cornerstone of our society. Patriotism, according to Webster’s Dictionary, is a noun that means love of country and willingness to sacrifice for it. Many authors of poems and short stories, as well as many novelists lace their literary works with chauvinism. Appealing to a large portion of Americans, this tone can evoke emotions and passion in a reader. Carl Sandburg’s poem “Chicago” displays his pride in The Windy City. He defends his city and the people that live within with fierce loyalty and dignity. Sandburg models the tone of patriotism and channels his loyalty towards the city he loves. Using apostrophe, personification, and other rhetorical devices, Sandburg dictates the tone of patriotism and loyalty to his hometown. Carl Sandburg sees in Chicago what others have difficulty understanding. Despite the “gunman …show more content…
Apostrophe has been defined as a literary device in which the speaker of a poem talks to someone who is not there. Another famous example being Walt Whitman’s “O’ Captain!” Having personified Chicago in the first five lines, Sandburg sets the stage to speak directly to Chicago saying: “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” (Line 6). Through this, Sandburg tries to quell the objections from outsiders looking into Chicago. Embracing the raw and “wanton hunger” (Line 11) prevalent throughout the city, Sandburg points out that “Under the smoke, dust all over his mouth,” Chicago is still the magnificent jewel of the east that the tone of this poem suggests. Sandburg’s use of apostrophe adds to the tone of pride and fidelity. Speaking to the heart of Chicago, he exposes the greatness that shines through in every person