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Carl Sandburg's Poem, Chicago

359 Words2 Pages
“Under the smoke, dust all over his mouth, laughing with white teeth, Under the terrible burden of destiny laughing as a young man laughs...” (280) Carl Sandburg wrote these lines as part of his iconic poem entitled, “Chicago”. This poem first acknowledges the poverty, wickedness and cruelty of the city of Chicago before revealing its beauty through personification. Many images of building and tearing down appear because of the construction and industry of the city. Others refer to the city as a young man, full of life and health. This poem holds great significance for the people living in Chicago even today. These particular lines demonstrate the dualistic view Sandburg provides. Smoke and dust again invoke the image of construction,
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