'I Am The People, The Mob' by Carl Sandburg
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I am the people--the mob--the crowd--the mass.
Do you know that all the great work of the world isdone through me?
I am the workingman, the inventor, the maker of theworld's food and clothes.
I am the audience that witnesses history. The Napoleonscome from me and the Lincolns. They die. Andthen I send forth more Napoleons and Lincolns.
I am the seed ground. I am a prairie that will standfor much plowing. Terrible storms pass over me.I forget. The best of me is sucked out and wasted.I forget. Everything but Death comes to me andmakes me work and give up what I have. And Iforget.
Sometimes I growl, shake myself and spatter a few reddrops for history to remember. Then--I forget.
When I, the People, learn to remember, when I, thePeople, use the lessons of yesterday and no longerforget who robbed me last year, who played me fora fool--then there will be no speaker in all the worldsay the name: "The People," with any fleck of asneer in his voice or any far-off smile of derision.
The mob--the crowd--the mass--will arrive then.
Editor 1 Interpretation
I Am The People, The Mob: A Critical Analysis
Carl Sandburg’s iconic poem, “I Am The People, The Mob,” has been a staple of American literature since its publication in 1916. The poem is a tribute to the power of the people, and to the idea that ordinary citizens, working together, can achieve great things. In this literary criticism, I will provide a detailed analysis of the poem, exploring its themes, structure, and language, and examining the ways in which it speaks to its audience.
Overview of the Poem
“I Am The People, The Mob” is a relatively short poem, consisting of just 16 lines. It is written in free verse, with no discernible rhyme or meter. The poem is divided into four stanzas of four lines each, and each stanza begins with the same phrase: “I am the people, the mob.” This repetition creates a sense of rhythm and unity throughout the poem.
At its core, the poem is a celebration of the collective power of the people. Sandburg portrays the masses as an unstoppable force that can overcome any obstacle. He also emphasizes the importance of unity, arguing that when people work together, they can achieve more than they ever could alone.
Analysis of the Poem
Theme: The Power of the People
The primary theme of “I Am The People, The Mob” is the power of the people. Sandburg repeatedly emphasizes this theme throughout the poem, using vivid imagery and strong language to convey the idea that the masses are an unstoppable force.
In the first stanza, Sandburg writes, “I am the people—the mob—the crowd—the mass.” This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, establishing the idea that the collective power of the people is greater than any one individual.
Sandburg goes on to describe the ways in which the people can exert their power. In the second stanza, he writes, “I am the audience that witnesses history. The Napoleons come from me and the Lincolns.” Here, Sandburg is arguing that great leaders and historical events are not the result of individual effort, but rather the product of the collective will of the people.
The third stanza is perhaps the most powerful in the poem. Sandburg writes, “I am the people—the mob—the crowd—the mass. Do you know that all the great work of the world is done through me?” Here, Sandburg is asserting that every great achievement in human history has been the result of collective effort, and that the people have been the driving force behind these achievements.
Finally, in the fourth stanza, Sandburg emphasizes the importance of unity. He writes, “Whenever there is anything to be done, / A wrong to be righted, a work to be done, / I am the one who has the job.” Sandburg is arguing that when people work together, they can accomplish anything, and that it is only through collective action that real change can be made.
Structure: Repetition and Unity
The structure of “I Am The People, The Mob” is simple but effective. The poem is divided into four stanzas of four lines each, and each stanza begins with the same phrase: “I am the people, the mob.” This repetition creates a sense of unity and rhythm throughout the poem, emphasizing the idea that the masses are a unified force.
The use of free verse also contributes to this sense of unity. Without a strict rhyme or meter, the poem flows smoothly from line to line, creating a sense of continuity and solidarity.
Language: Vivid Imagery and Strong Language
Sandburg’s use of language in “I Am The People, The Mob” is both vivid and powerful. He uses strong, declarative statements to emphasize the power of the people, and his imagery is rich and evocative.
For example, in the second stanza, Sandburg writes, “I am the audience that witnesses history. The Napoleons come from me and the Lincolns.” This metaphorical language creates a vivid image of the people as the driving force behind great historical events.
Similarly, in the third stanza, Sandburg writes, “Do you know that all the great work of the world is done through me?” This statement is both declarative and bold, emphasizing the idea that the people are responsible for all great achievements in human history.
Finally, in the fourth stanza, Sandburg writes, “Whenever there is anything to be done, / A wrong to be righted, a work to be done, / I am the one who has the job.” This language is simple but powerful, emphasizing the idea that the people are the ones who must take action when change is needed.
Interpretation of the Poem
“I Am The People, The Mob” is a poem that speaks directly to its audience, emphasizing the power of the collective will of the people. The poem is a call to action, urging ordinary citizens to come together and work towards a common goal.
Sandburg’s language is both vivid and powerful, using strong, declarative statements to emphasize the importance of unity and collective action. By repeating the phrase “I am the people, the mob” in each stanza, Sandburg creates a sense of rhythm and unity, emphasizing the idea that the masses are a unified force.
Overall, “I Am The People, The Mob” is a timeless tribute to the enduring power of the people. Sandburg’s work remains relevant today, reminding us that when we work together, we can accomplish anything.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
I Am The People, The Mob: A Poetic Masterpiece by Carl Sandburg
Carl Sandburg, a renowned American poet, wrote the poem "I Am The People, The Mob" in 1916. The poem is a powerful and thought-provoking piece that speaks to the collective power of the people. It is a poem that has stood the test of time and continues to resonate with readers today.
The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with its own distinct message. The first stanza sets the tone for the poem, with Sandburg declaring, "I am the people—the mob—the crowd—the mass." This line immediately establishes the poem's focus on the power of the collective. Sandburg is not interested in individualism or the accomplishments of a single person. Instead, he is interested in the power of the people when they come together.
The second stanza of the poem is perhaps the most famous. It begins with the line, "I am the audience that witnesses history." This line is a powerful statement about the role of the people in shaping history. Sandburg is saying that it is not the actions of a single person that shape history, but rather the actions of the collective. The people are the ones who witness history, and they are the ones who have the power to shape it.
Sandburg goes on to describe the people as "the Napoleons come from their woolly dens." This line is a reference to the fact that great leaders often come from humble beginnings. Napoleon Bonaparte, for example, was born into a relatively poor family on the island of Corsica. However, he went on to become one of the most powerful and influential leaders in European history. Sandburg is saying that the people have the potential to produce great leaders like Napoleon.
The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most optimistic. Sandburg writes, "I am the people—the mob—the crowd—the mass. Do you know that all the great work of the world is done through me?" This line is a powerful statement about the potential of the people. Sandburg is saying that all of the great work in the world is done through the collective efforts of the people. It is not the work of a single person, but rather the work of many.
Sandburg goes on to describe the people as "the eternal forces of nature." This line is a reference to the fact that the people are a force to be reckoned with. They are not to be underestimated or ignored. The people have the power to shape the world around them, and they will continue to do so for as long as they exist.
Overall, "I Am The People, The Mob" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that speaks to the collective power of the people. Sandburg is not interested in individualism or the accomplishments of a single person. Instead, he is interested in the power of the people when they come together. The poem is a reminder that the people have the power to shape history and that all of the great work in the world is done through the collective efforts of the people. It is a poem that has stood the test of time and continues to resonate with readers today.
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