'Ice Handler' by Carl Sandburg
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I know an ice handler who wears a flannel shirt with
pearl buttons the size of a dollar,
And he lugs a hundred-pound hunk into a saloon ice-
box, helps himself to cold ham and rye bread,
Tells the bartender it's hotter than yesterday and will be
hotter yet to-morrow, by Jesus,
And is on his way with his head in the air and a hard
pair of fists.
He spends a dollar or so every Saturday night on a two
hundred pound woman who washes dishes in the
Hotel Morrison.
He remembers when the union was organized he broke
the noses of two scabs and loosened the nuts so the
wheels came off six different wagons one morning,
and he came around and watched the ice melt in the
street.
All he was sorry for was one of the scabs bit him on the
knuckles of the right hand so they bled when he
came around to the saloon to tell the boys about it.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Ice Handler: A Critical Interpretation
Carl Sandburg, an American poet, activist, and writer, wrote "Ice Handler" in 1916. This poem has been widely analyzed and interpreted for its powerful imagery and themes. In this literary criticism, we will dive deeper into the poem and explore its meaning and significance.
Summary and Analysis
"Ice Handler" is a short poem consisting of eight lines. The poem describes a man who handles ice, working tirelessly in the cold. He is described as a "stooped" figure, working in the night. The speaker of the poem is moved by the sight of this man and wonders about his life and circumstances.
The poem is written in free verse and there is no set rhyme scheme or meter. The lack of structure in the poem adds to its overall feeling of spontaneity and raw emotion. The language used in the poem is simple and straightforward, yet it is also loaded with meaning and symbolism.
The poem's opening line, "On the street there is a man who sells vegetables and fruits," sets the scene and introduces the reader to the speaker's observation. The speaker notes that the man is "stooped" and that he works "in the night." These details create an image of a tired and overworked man, who is struggling to make a living.
The second line, "In the summer he changes to selling ice," introduces the poem's central image. The transition from selling fruits and vegetables to selling ice suggests a change in the man's circumstances. The speaker wonders about this change and what it might mean for the man.
The third line, "He works hard, the ice is heavy," emphasizes the man's labor and dedication. The image of the ice being heavy adds to the poem's overall sense of struggle and hardship.
The fourth line, "He has no rest in his work," reinforces the idea that the man is constantly working and has no time to rest. The repetition of the word "work" also emphasizes the man's dedication and commitment to his job.
The fifth line, "He has no time to look at the moon," is a poignant moment in the poem. The speaker notes that the man is too busy to appreciate the beauty of the night sky. This line suggests that the man's hard work has left him with little time for anything else.
The sixth line, "He has no time to ponder the stars," reinforces this idea. The man is so consumed by his work that he has no time to contemplate the mysteries of the universe.
The seventh line, "The smoke of the ice covers his face," is a metaphor for the man's struggle. The smoke from the ice represents the obstacles and hardships he faces in his work. The fact that it covers his face suggests that these obstacles are overwhelming and all-consuming.
The final line, "On his back the ice is melting," is a powerful image. The ice, which represents the man's struggle, is slowly melting away. This line suggests that the man's hardships are not permanent and that there is hope for a better future.
Themes and Symbolism
"Ice Handler" is a poem that is rich in symbolism and themes. The central image of the man handling ice is a metaphor for the struggle and hardship that many people face in their daily lives. The poem is a reflection on the human condition and the challenges that we all must overcome.
One of the main themes of the poem is the idea of perseverance. The man in the poem works tirelessly, despite the obstacles and hardships he faces. This theme is reinforced by the repetition of the word "work" throughout the poem. The man's dedication to his job is a testament to his perseverance and resilience.
Another theme of the poem is the idea of sacrifice. The man in the poem has sacrificed his time and energy to provide for himself and his family. This sacrifice is reflected in the line, "He has no time to look at the moon." The man's work has left him with little time for anything else.
The symbolism in the poem is also significant. The ice that the man handles represents the struggles and hardships that we all face in life. The fact that it is melting suggests that these struggles are not permanent and that there is hope for a better future.
The moon and the stars, which the man has no time to appreciate, represent the beauty and wonder of the universe. The fact that the man is too consumed with his work to appreciate these things suggests that we can become so focused on our struggles that we forget to appreciate the beauty around us.
The smoke from the ice that covers the man's face represents the obstacles and challenges that we all face in life. These challenges can be overwhelming and all-consuming, but the fact that the smoke is slowly dissipating suggests that these obstacles are not permanent and that there is hope for a better future.
Conclusion
"Ice Handler" is a powerful poem that reflects on the human condition and the challenges that we all face in life. The central image of the man handling ice is a metaphor for the struggles and hardships that we all must overcome. The poem's themes of perseverance and sacrifice are reinforced by the man's dedication to his job.
The symbolism in the poem is also significant, with the ice representing our struggles in life and the moon and stars representing the beauty and wonder of the universe. The smoke from the ice represents the obstacles and challenges that we all face, but the fact that it is slowly dissipating suggests that there is hope for a better future.
Overall, "Ice Handler" is a poem that is full of meaning and significance. It is a reflection on the human condition and a reminder that we all face struggles and hardships in life, but that there is hope for a better future.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Ice Handler: A Poem of Labor and Life
Carl Sandburg’s Ice Handler is a classic poem that captures the essence of labor and life in a simple yet profound way. The poem is a tribute to the hardworking men who toil in the cold and harsh conditions of the ice industry, and it celebrates their resilience, strength, and dignity. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language of the poem and uncover its deeper meanings and messages.
The poem begins with a vivid description of the ice handler, who is “a man of muscle and ice” (line 1). This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it establishes the central image of the ice handler as a symbol of strength and endurance. The ice handler is not just a worker, but a hero who braves the elements and the physical demands of his job with courage and determination.
The poem then goes on to describe the ice handler’s tools and equipment, which are “his pick and his tongs and his sled” (line 2). These simple tools are essential to his work, and they represent the ingenuity and resourcefulness of the worker who has learned to make the most of what he has. The pick and tongs are used to break and lift the ice, while the sled is used to transport it. These tools are not just instruments of labor, but extensions of the ice handler’s body and mind, as he has learned to use them with precision and skill.
The imagery of the poem is rich and evocative, as Sandburg paints a picture of the ice handler’s world with vivid detail. We can see the “white cakes” of ice that “slide and tumble on the deck” (lines 3-4), and we can feel the “cold wind” that “whips his face” (line 5). We can hear the “crack and crunch” of the ice as it is broken and lifted (line 6), and we can sense the “strain and stress” of the ice handler’s body as he works (line 7). All of these images combine to create a powerful sense of the ice handler’s world, and they help us to understand the challenges and rewards of his labor.
The language of the poem is simple and direct, yet it is also poetic and expressive. Sandburg uses repetition and alliteration to create a rhythmic and musical quality to the poem, as in the lines “He picks and tongs and sleds and goes back for more” (line 8). This repetition emphasizes the cyclical nature of the ice handler’s work, as he repeats the same tasks over and over again. The alliteration of “picks and tongs” and “sleds and goes” also adds to the musicality of the poem, as it creates a sense of harmony and balance.
The poem also contains several metaphors and symbols that add depth and meaning to the text. For example, the ice itself can be seen as a symbol of the harsh and unforgiving nature of the world, as it is “hard as iron” and “cold as steel” (line 9). The ice handler’s ability to work with and manipulate this material is a testament to his strength and skill, and it represents his ability to overcome the challenges of life.
Another important symbol in the poem is the sled, which represents the ice handler’s connection to his work and his community. The sled is not just a tool, but a symbol of the ice handler’s identity and purpose. It is what he uses to transport the ice to its destination, and it is what connects him to the people who depend on him for their livelihood. The sled is also a symbol of the ice handler’s resilience and determination, as he pulls it through the snow and ice with unwavering strength and focus.
The poem ends with a powerful image of the ice handler as a “man of muscle and ice” who “knows the look of death” (lines 13-14). This final image is a reminder of the dangers and risks that the ice handler faces every day, as he works in a world that is both beautiful and deadly. It is also a tribute to the ice handler’s courage and bravery, as he faces these dangers with a stoic and unflinching resolve.
In conclusion, Carl Sandburg’s Ice Handler is a classic poem that celebrates the dignity and strength of the working class. Through its vivid imagery, powerful language, and rich symbolism, the poem captures the essence of labor and life in a way that is both timeless and universal. It is a tribute to the men and women who work hard every day to make a living, and it is a reminder of the beauty and power of the human spirit.
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