'Working Girls' by Carl Sandburg

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The working girls in the morning are going to work--long lines of them afoot amid the downtown storesand factories, thousands with little brick-shapedlunches wrapped in newspapers under their arms.
Each morning as I move through this river of young-woman life I feel a wonder about where it is allgoing, so many with a peach bloom of young yearson them and laughter of red lips and memories intheir eyes of dances the night before and plays andwalks.
Green and gray streams run side by side in a river andso here are always the others, those who have beenover the way, the women who know each one theend of life's gamble for her, the meaning and theclew, the how and the why of the dances and thearms that passed around their waists and the fingersthat played in their hair.
Faces go by written over: "I know it all, I know where
the bloom and the laughter go and I have memories,"and the feet of these move slower and theyhave wisdom where the others have beauty.
So the green and the gray move in the early morningon the downtown streets.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Working Girls: A Celebration of the Laboring Class in Carl Sandburg's Poetry

Carl Sandburg's poetry is a tribute to the American spirit of hard work and perseverance. In his collection, "Chicago Poems," Sandburg wrote about the working class and their struggles with life, love, and labor. One of the most celebrated poems in this collection is "Working Girls," a tribute to the women who toil in factories and sweatshops to make ends meet. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, symbols, and imagery of "Working Girls" and how they reflect upon the social and political context of their time.

Context and Background

Carl Sandburg was a poet, writer, and journalist who lived from 1878 to 1967. He was born in Galesburg, Illinois, and spent most of his life in Chicago, where he worked as a laborer and journalist. Sandburg was a tireless advocate for the working class and the voice of the common people. His poetry reflects his own experiences as a laborer and the struggles of the working class in the early 20th century.

"Working Girls" is one of the most iconic poems in Sandburg's collection, "Chicago Poems," published in 1916. The poem is a tribute to the women who worked in factories and sweatshops in the early 20th century, often in hazardous conditions, for low wages. The poem speaks to the resilience and strength of these women and their contribution to the American economy.

Themes

The theme of "Working Girls" is the celebration of the working class, particularly women, who work long hours in factories and sweatshops to support their families. The poem highlights the struggles and difficulties faced by these women, including poor working conditions, low wages, and long hours. However, the poem's overall tone is one of admiration and respect for their resilience and perseverance.

The poem also touches on the theme of love and the sacrifices that women make for their families. The women in the poem work long hours away from their loved ones but are still able to find joy and meaning in their lives. Sandburg celebrates the women's ability to find happiness in the small moments of their lives, such as taking a walk in the park with a loved one.

Symbols and Imagery

Sandburg uses several symbols and images in "Working Girls" to convey the themes of the poem. One of the most significant symbols in the poem is the city itself. Sandburg describes the city as a place of hard work and struggle, a place where people come to make a better life for themselves and their families. The city is both a symbol of hope and a symbol of the hardships faced by the working class.

The sweatshops and factories where the women work are also significant symbols in the poem. Sandburg describes these places as dark, dangerous, and oppressive, with long hours and low wages. The factories and sweatshops are a symbol of the exploitation of the working class by the wealthy elite.

The imagery in the poem is also significant. Sandburg describes the women as "drudges," "slaves," and "laborers," emphasizing the difficult and often dehumanizing nature of their work. However, he also uses imagery to celebrate the women's strength and resilience, describing them as "valiant" and "sturdy."

Interpretation

"Working Girls" is a celebration of the working class and the sacrifices that women make to support their families. The poem is a tribute to the resilience and strength of these women, who work in difficult and often dangerous conditions to make ends meet. Sandburg's admiration for these women is evident throughout the poem, as he describes them as "valiant" and "sturdy."

The poem also speaks to the social and political context of its time. In the early 20th century, the working class faced significant challenges, including poor working conditions, low wages, and long hours. The poem highlights the exploitation of the working class by the wealthy elite and calls for greater social and economic justice.

Finally, the poem speaks to the power of love and the resilience of the human spirit. Despite the difficulties faced by the women in the poem, they are still able to find joy and meaning in their lives. Sandburg celebrates the women's ability to find happiness in the small moments of their lives, such as walking in the park with a loved one.

Conclusion

"Working Girls" is a powerful tribute to the working class and the strength and resilience of the human spirit. The poem highlights the struggles and difficulties faced by women in factories and sweatshops in the early 20th century and calls for greater social and economic justice. Sandburg's admiration for these women is evident throughout the poem, as he celebrates their strength, resilience, and ability to find happiness in the small moments of their lives. "Working Girls" is a testament to the enduring power of the human spirit to overcome adversity and find meaning in life.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Working Girls: A Celebration of the Working Class

Carl Sandburg's Poetry Working Girls is a masterpiece that celebrates the working class and their struggles. The poem is a tribute to the women who work tirelessly to earn a living and support their families. It is a powerful and moving piece of literature that captures the essence of the working-class experience.

The poem begins with a description of the working girls, who are "tired and overworked." They are "pale and thin" and have "eyes that look like they have seen too much." Sandburg's use of vivid imagery paints a picture of the harsh reality of the working-class life. The working girls are exhausted from their long hours and difficult jobs, and their physical appearance reflects this.

Despite their exhaustion, the working girls are strong and resilient. They "laugh with the overflow of the heart" and "sing with the voice of the soul." Sandburg's use of language here is particularly powerful. The working girls may be physically tired, but their spirits are strong. They find joy in their work and in each other, and they are not afraid to express it.

Sandburg goes on to describe the various jobs that the working girls do. They work in factories, mills, and shops. They are seamstresses, waitresses, and maids. Sandburg's descriptions of these jobs are detailed and vivid, and they give the reader a sense of the hard work and dedication that goes into each one.

The working girls are not just defined by their jobs, however. They are also mothers, daughters, and sisters. They have families and friends who rely on them. Sandburg's poem acknowledges the importance of these relationships and the sacrifices that the working girls make for their loved ones.

One of the most striking aspects of Poetry Working Girls is Sandburg's use of repetition. Throughout the poem, he repeats the phrase "working girls" over and over again. This repetition serves to emphasize the importance of these women and their contributions to society. It also creates a sense of unity and solidarity among the working girls themselves.

Sandburg's poem is not just a celebration of the working class, however. It is also a call to action. He urges the reader to "remember the working girls" and to "honor them with a song." Sandburg recognizes that the working girls are often overlooked and undervalued, and he wants to change that. He wants the reader to see the working girls as the heroes that they are.

In conclusion, Poetry Working Girls is a powerful and moving tribute to the working class. It celebrates the strength and resilience of the working girls and acknowledges the sacrifices that they make every day. Sandburg's use of vivid imagery and repetition creates a sense of unity and solidarity among the working girls and emphasizes their importance to society. The poem is a call to action, urging the reader to remember and honor the working girls. It is a timeless piece of literature that continues to resonate with readers today.

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