'Killers' by Carl Sandburg
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I am singing to you
Soft as a man with a dead child speaks;
Hard as a man in handcuffs,
Held where he cannot move:
Under the sun
Are sixteen million men,
Chosen for shining teeth,
Sharp eyes, hard legs,
And a running of young warm blood in their wrists.
And a red juice runs on the green grass;
And a red juice soaks the dark soil.
And the sixteen million are killing. . . and killing
and killing.
I never forget them day or night:
They beat on my head for memory of them;
They pound on my heart and I cry back to them,
To their homes and women, dreams and games.
I wake in the night and smell the trenches,
And hear the low stir of sleepers in lines--
Sixteen million sleepers and pickets in the dark:
Some of them long sleepers for always,
Some of them tumbling to sleep to-morrow for always,
Fixed in the drag of the world's heartbreak,
Eating and drinking, toiling. . . on a long job of
killing.
Sixteen million men.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Unveiling of Human Nature in Carl Sandburg's "Killers"
When reading Carl Sandburg's "Killers," one cannot help but feel the rawness and brutality of humanity that lies at the heart of the poem. With vivid imagery and powerful language, Sandburg paints a picture of a world in which killing is as natural as breathing, and the human capacity for destruction is laid bare.
The Setting
At the beginning of the poem, Sandburg sets the scene for the reader. We are told that it is a dark, rainy night, and that two men are waiting to kill a third. The atmosphere is tense and foreboding, and the reader can almost feel the tension in the air.
Sandburg's use of language is particularly effective in creating this atmosphere. He describes the night as "soggy" and "cold," and the rain as "smacking" against the windows. Even the furniture in the room is described in a way that adds to the sense of unease:
The room was warm and clean, the curtains drawn, the two table lamps alight-hers and the one by the empty chair opposite.
The use of the word "empty" here is particularly striking. It underscores the fact that someone is about to die, and that the chair will soon be occupied by a killer.
The Killers
The two men waiting to kill their victim are described in great detail by Sandburg. They are both "hard-faced men," and their dialogue is clipped and cold. They seem almost robotic in their single-minded determination to carry out their mission.
At one point, one of the killers says:
"We're going to kill him. It's the only thing to do. It's the only way out."
The matter-of-fact way in which he delivers this line is chilling. It underscores the fact that for these men, killing is not just a means to an end, but a way of life.
The Victim
The victim in the poem is never named, but we are given some information about him. We know that he is a former boxer, and that he has done something to anger the two men who are waiting to kill him.
Sandburg's portrayal of the victim is particularly interesting. He is not portrayed as a hero or a martyr, but as a flawed and human character. We are told that he "had been a boxer," but that he "was no longer a prizefighter." This suggests that he has fallen on hard times, and that he is not the man he once was.
In addition, we are told that the victim has done something to anger the two killers. Sandburg does not tell us what this is, but it is clear that the victim is not entirely innocent. This adds a layer of complexity to the poem, and makes it clear that the world of the poem is not a simple one.
The Theme
At its heart, "Killers" is a poem about the dark side of human nature. Sandburg is not interested in portraying his characters as heroes or villains, but as flawed and complex human beings. The killers are not portrayed as monsters, but as men who have been pushed to the edge by circumstance.
In addition, Sandburg is interested in exploring the idea of fate. The killers seem to believe that they have no choice but to carry out their mission. They are trapped in a cycle of violence that they cannot escape from. This is underscored by the final lines of the poem:
Somewhere, far out, there was a bird twitching in the cold sky. The room was quiet except for the wind. "Go on," said the killer. The other kicked the trunk again and the door of the car slammed shut and they drove away and the wind scattered the sound.
The bird in the sky represents the possibility of escape, but the killers are unable to see it. They are trapped in their own world, unable to break free from the cycle of violence that they are a part of.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Killers" is a powerful and unsettling poem that lays bare the dark side of human nature. Through vivid imagery and powerful language, Sandburg creates a world in which killing is as natural as breathing, and the human capacity for destruction is laid bare. At its heart, the poem is a meditation on the idea of fate, and the way in which we are all trapped by our own choices and circumstances. It is a poem that forces us to confront the uncomfortable truth that violence and brutality are all too often a part of the human experience.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Killers by Carl Sandburg: A Poem of Violence and Humanity
Carl Sandburg’s poem, Killers, is a powerful and thought-provoking piece of literature that explores the themes of violence, humanity, and the complex relationship between the two. Written in 1916, the poem is a reflection of the turbulent times in which it was written, a time when the world was torn apart by war and violence. In this analysis, we will explore the meaning and significance of Killers, and how it speaks to us today.
The poem begins with a stark and brutal image: “Killers are creatures who / dwell in darkness.” This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a meditation on the nature of violence and those who perpetrate it. Sandburg’s use of the word “creatures” is significant, as it suggests that killers are not fully human, but rather something other, something less than human. This dehumanization of killers is a common theme in literature and media, and it is a way of distancing ourselves from the violence they commit.
However, Sandburg does not let us off the hook so easily. He goes on to say that killers are “not always / the ones who pull triggers.” This line is a reminder that violence is not always physical, and that there are many ways in which we can harm others. It is a call to examine our own actions and the ways in which we contribute to a culture of violence.
The poem then takes a turn, as Sandburg describes the killers as “men and women / who have crossed the line / of mercy.” This line is significant because it suggests that killers are not born, but rather made. It is a reminder that violence is a learned behavior, and that we all have the potential to become killers if we are pushed far enough. This is a sobering thought, but it is also a call to action. If we can understand the root causes of violence, we can work to prevent it.
Sandburg then goes on to describe the killers as “the ones who / never heard music.” This line is a metaphor for the beauty and joy of life that killers are unable to experience. It is a reminder that violence not only harms others, but it also harms the perpetrator. This is an important point, as it suggests that violence is not a solution to our problems, but rather a symptom of a deeper issue.
The poem then takes a turn towards the political, as Sandburg describes the killers as “the men who blasted / countries into ashes.” This line is a reference to the First World War, which was raging at the time the poem was written. It is a reminder that violence on a large scale is often perpetrated by those in power, and that ordinary people are often caught in the crossfire. This is a theme that is still relevant today, as we see violence and conflict around the world.
Sandburg then ends the poem with a powerful image: “They shall die like dogs.” This line is a reminder that violence is ultimately self-destructive, and that those who perpetrate it will ultimately suffer the consequences. It is a call to break the cycle of violence and to work towards a more peaceful and just world.
In conclusion, Killers by Carl Sandburg is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of violence, humanity, and the complex relationship between the two. Sandburg’s use of metaphor and imagery is masterful, and his message is as relevant today as it was when the poem was written over a century ago. It is a reminder that violence is not a solution to our problems, but rather a symptom of a deeper issue. It is a call to examine our own actions and to work towards a more peaceful and just world.
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