“Chicago” Tone Analysis
Chicago, one of the greatest cities in America, was once a place of crime and racism in the early 1900s. Many murders, bank robberies, and kidnappings took place in the city. In the poem, “Chicago”, Carl Sandburg reflects on the city through the eyes of a Chicago citizen. He expresses that Chicago is “wicked” , but he is still proud of his big strong city (Sandburg line 6). Sandburg utilizes, diction, personification, and imagery to express the affectionate and serious tone of the poem.
One strong element Sandburg utilizes to convey the strong emotions he has towards his city of Chicago is diction. By choosing a powerful word choice, the reader is able to connect with the feelings he is portraying. For example, Sandburg …show more content…
He also uses the words "bragging" (line 28) and "proud to be" (line 32) to show pride in his city regardless of the cruelties that exist. Sandburg's diction, or word choice, allows the reader to deeply engage in the affection he has towards …show more content…
This literary device brings Chicago to life and gives the city characteristics of a human. In particular, Sandburg demonstrates that the city of Chicago is strong like a masculine man to represent the overall tone of affection. In the line, "bragging and laughing that under his wrist is a pulse, and under his ribs is the heart of people," he refers to Chicago using the pronoun, his (Sandburg line 28). He makes this reference several times to indicate a strong, male dominance which was accurate for society at the time the poem was written. To even further add to the masculinity, Sandburg personifies the city as a "tall bold slugger", defining Chicago as a tough guy compared to other "little soft cities" (Sandburg line 17). The overall masculinity that the poem possesses through personification is a valuable tool that reveals the affectionate tone.
A final way in which Sandburg creates the tone of the poem is through the use of imagery. As seen with personification and diction, he uses imagery to display a strong, even masculine feel to the poem. The poem is filled with brawny imagery that shows Sandburg is in love with the tough, manly city and is proud to call it his. Initially he uses imagery to show the cities flaws, "I have seen the marks of wanton hunger," meaning
Chicago, one of the greatest cities in America, was once a place of crime and racism in the early 1900s. Many murders, bank robberies, and kidnappings took place in the city. In the poem, “Chicago”, Carl Sandburg reflects on the city through the eyes of a Chicago citizen. He expresses that Chicago is “wicked” , but he is still proud of his big strong city (Sandburg line 6). Sandburg utilizes, diction, personification, and imagery to express the affectionate and serious tone of the poem.
One strong element Sandburg utilizes to convey the strong emotions he has towards his city of Chicago is diction. By choosing a powerful word choice, the reader is able to connect with the feelings he is portraying. For example, Sandburg …show more content…
He also uses the words "bragging" (line 28) and "proud to be" (line 32) to show pride in his city regardless of the cruelties that exist. Sandburg's diction, or word choice, allows the reader to deeply engage in the affection he has towards …show more content…
This literary device brings Chicago to life and gives the city characteristics of a human. In particular, Sandburg demonstrates that the city of Chicago is strong like a masculine man to represent the overall tone of affection. In the line, "bragging and laughing that under his wrist is a pulse, and under his ribs is the heart of people," he refers to Chicago using the pronoun, his (Sandburg line 28). He makes this reference several times to indicate a strong, male dominance which was accurate for society at the time the poem was written. To even further add to the masculinity, Sandburg personifies the city as a "tall bold slugger", defining Chicago as a tough guy compared to other "little soft cities" (Sandburg line 17). The overall masculinity that the poem possesses through personification is a valuable tool that reveals the affectionate tone.
A final way in which Sandburg creates the tone of the poem is through the use of imagery. As seen with personification and diction, he uses imagery to display a strong, even masculine feel to the poem. The poem is filled with brawny imagery that shows Sandburg is in love with the tough, manly city and is proud to call it his. Initially he uses imagery to show the cities flaws, "I have seen the marks of wanton hunger," meaning