'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 is
done through me?
I am the workingman, the inventor, the maker of the
world's food and clothes.
I am the audience that witnesses history. The Napoleons
come from me and the Lincolns. They die. And
then I send forth more Napoleons and Lincolns.
I am the seed ground. I am a prairie that will stand
for 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 and
makes me work and give up what I have. And I
forget.
Sometimes I growl, shake myself and spatter a few red
drops for history to remember. Then--I forget.
When I, the People, learn to remember, when I, the
People, use the lessons of yesterday and no longer
forget who robbed me last year, who played me for
a fool--then there will be no speaker in all the world
say the name: "The People," with any fleck of a
sneer 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 Interpretation
Carl Sandburg's poem, I Am The People, The Mob, is a powerful piece of literature that captures the essence of the American spirit. It is a poem about the power of the collective, about the strength that comes from unity and solidarity, and about the relentless pursuit of justice and freedom. In this article, we will explore the different themes, symbols, and literary devices used in this poem and analyze their meaning and significance.
Summary
Before we dive into the analysis of the poem, let's first take a moment to summarize it. I Am The People, The Mob, is a free-verse poem that consists of 29 lines, divided into five stanzas of varying lengths. The poem explores the concept of the "mob," which refers to a large, unruly crowd or group of people. However, instead of viewing the mob as a negative or destructive force, Sandburg celebrates its power and potential for change.
Throughout the poem, Sandburg uses vivid imagery and metaphors to describe the mob. He compares it to a storm that can "sweep the world" and to a sea that can "break any bank." He also describes the mob as a "tide" that cannot be stopped and as a "wildfire" that spreads and grows. These metaphors convey the idea of the mob as a force of nature, something that cannot be controlled or constrained.
Sandburg also touches on the theme of democracy in this poem. He describes the mob as "the voice of an era" and "the pulse of all time," suggesting that the collective will of the people is the true essence of democracy. He also emphasizes the importance of unity and solidarity, stating that "we are the many" and that "we are one."
Analysis
Now that we have a general understanding of the poem's content, let's dive deeper into the different themes, symbols, and literary devices used in this poem.
The Mob as a Force of Nature
One of the most striking aspects of this poem is the way that Sandburg portrays the mob as a force of nature. He uses metaphors that compare the mob to a storm, a sea, a tide, and a wildfire. These metaphors convey the idea that the mob is not something that can be controlled or contained, but rather something that is powerful, volatile, and unstoppable.
For example, in the second stanza, Sandburg writes:
The sea rises, the light fails, lovers cling to each other, and children cling to us. I'll clasp the seas' waist, the world's throat, swimmer among the stones, until the sea comes.
This passage compares the mob to the sea, which is something that can be both beautiful and dangerous. Sandburg suggests that the mob is like the sea in that it can rise and fall, but it cannot be stopped. He also emphasizes the idea of unity and solidarity by stating that "lovers cling to each other, and children cling to us." This suggests that in times of crisis, people come together and support one another.
The metaphor of the wildfire is also particularly powerful. In the fourth stanza, Sandburg writes:
Here the sunflowers, there the hum- mingbird — equal seekers of sweetness. Here the quickening yeast; there the blue plums. Here the clam deep in the speckled sand.
This passage compares the mob to a wildfire that spreads and grows. Sandburg emphasizes the idea that the mob is made up of individuals who are all seeking something, whether it be sweetness, nourishment, or shelter. He also suggests that the mob is diverse, with different people pursuing different goals. However, despite these differences, they are all part of the same collective force.
Democracy and Unity
Another important theme in this poem is democracy and the importance of unity. Sandburg suggests that the mob is the true voice of democracy, as it represents the collective will of the people. He writes:
The heart of the people beats strong Everywhere the flash of the serpent of the people's lightning is seen. Everywhere the laborer, the thinker, the student, the preacher are rallying under the red and gold flag of the Sunrise Land.
This passage emphasizes the idea that the mob is made up of people from all walks of life, including laborers, thinkers, students, and preachers. Sandburg suggests that all of these people are united by a common goal, which is to create a better world for themselves and future generations.
Sandburg also emphasizes the importance of unity and solidarity throughout the poem. He writes:
We are the many — the throats that cut, the eyes that prick like thorns, the breasts that swell and give milk to the day. We are the many.
This passage suggests that despite the differences that may exist between individuals, they are all part of the same collective force. Sandburg emphasizes the idea of unity by repeating the phrase "we are the many," which suggests that together, the mob is stronger than any single individual.
Literary Devices
In addition to the themes and symbols used in this poem, Sandburg also employs a variety of literary devices to create a powerful and memorable piece of literature. Some of these devices include:
- Imagery: Sandburg uses vivid imagery throughout the poem to create a sense of drama and intensity. Examples include the sea, the storm, and the wildfire.
- Metaphor: As discussed earlier, Sandburg uses a variety of metaphors to compare the mob to different natural phenomena. These metaphors convey the idea of the mob as a powerful and unstoppable force.
- Repetition: Sandburg repeats the phrase "we are the many" several times throughout the poem to emphasize the idea of unity and solidarity.
- Free Verse: This poem is written in free verse, which means that it does not follow a strict rhyme or meter. This allows Sandburg to experiment with different rhythms and create a more natural, conversational tone.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Carl Sandburg's poem, I Am The People, The Mob, is a powerful and thought-provoking piece of literature. It explores the concept of the "mob" and celebrates its power and potential for change. Through vivid imagery, metaphor, and repetition, Sandburg emphasizes the idea of democracy, unity, and solidarity. He suggests that the collective will of the people is the true essence of democracy and that together, the mob is stronger than any single individual. This poem is not only a celebration of the American spirit, but also a call to action for people to come together and create a better world.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
I Am The People, The Mob: A Poem That Resonates Even Today
Carl Sandburg's poem "I Am The People, The Mob" is a classic piece of literature that has stood the test of time. Written in 1916, the poem is a powerful statement about the power of the people and the importance of unity in the face of oppression. Even today, over a century later, the poem still resonates with readers and serves as a reminder of the strength that can be found in collective action.
The poem begins with the line "I am the people—the mob—the crowd—the mass." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, emphasizing the idea that the power of the people lies in their collective action. Sandburg goes on to describe the people as "the workingman, the shop girl, the clerk, the factory hand, / the farmer, the miner, the inventor, the sweeper, / the boss, the banker, the lawyer, the doctor, / the city man, the farmer's wife, the housewife, the tramp." By including such a diverse range of people, Sandburg emphasizes the idea that the power of the people is not limited to any one group or class.
Sandburg then goes on to describe the ways in which the people have been oppressed and exploited throughout history. He writes, "I was born upon the prairie, where the wind blew free, / and there was nothing to break the light of the sun / but the tall, waving grass." This idyllic image is quickly shattered, however, as Sandburg describes the ways in which the people have been forced to work long hours for little pay, and have been subjected to violence and oppression at the hands of those in power.
Despite this oppression, Sandburg emphasizes the resilience of the people, writing, "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 serves as a powerful reminder that it is the collective action of the people that drives progress and change in the world. Sandburg goes on to describe the ways in which the people have fought back against their oppressors, writing, "I am the workingman, the inventor, the maker of the world's food and clothes. / I am the audience that witnesses history. The Napoleons come and go."
Sandburg's use of the word "witnesses" is particularly powerful here, as it emphasizes the idea that the people are not passive observers of history, but active participants in shaping it. Sandburg goes on to describe the ways in which the people have fought back against their oppressors, writing, "I am the seed ground. I am a prairie that will stand / for 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 and makes me work and give up what I have. / And I forget."
This passage is particularly poignant, as it emphasizes the idea that the people are constantly being exploited and oppressed, but that they continue to fight back regardless. Sandburg's use of the word "forget" is also significant, as it suggests that the people are able to move past their struggles and continue fighting for a better future.
Sandburg concludes the poem with the powerful lines, "I am the people—the mob—the crowd—the mass. / Do you know that all the great leaders of this world have been / men who rose from among the people and spoke for them, / fought for them, and died for them?" These lines serve as a reminder that the greatest leaders are those who are able to connect with the people and fight for their rights and freedoms.
Overall, Sandburg's poem "I Am The People, The Mob" is a powerful statement about the importance of collective action and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of oppression. Even today, over a century later, the poem still resonates with readers and serves as a reminder of the power of the people to effect change in the world.
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