'Troths' by Carl Sandburg
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Yellow dust on a bumblebee's wing,
Grey lights in a woman'sasking eyes,
Red ruins in the changingsunset embers:
I take you and pile highthe memories.
Death will break her clawson some I keep.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Carl Sandburg’s Troths: A Critical Interpretation
“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?”
These powerful lines from Carl Sandburg’s poem “The People, Yes” are a testament to the poet’s ability to capture the spirit of the common people. Sandburg’s work, especially his collection of poems titled “Troths,” is a celebration of the human experience, the beauty of nature, and the power of language. In this essay, I will explore Troths and examine how Sandburg uses poetic devices to convey his message and evoke emotions in the reader.
The Themes of Troths
At its core, Troths is a collection of poems that celebrates the human experience. In these poems, Sandburg reflects on the beauty of nature, the struggles of everyday life, and the power of language. The collection is divided into three sections: “The People, Yes,” “Good Morning, America,” and “Under the Harvest Moon.” Each section explores different aspects of the human experience.
The People, Yes
The first section of Troths, “The People, Yes,” is a celebration of democracy and the power of the common people. In these poems, Sandburg writes about the struggles and victories of the working-class, the farmers, and the immigrants who built America. He celebrates their grit, their determination, and their resilience.
One of the most powerful poems in this section is “Chicago.” In this poem, Sandburg portrays the city as a living, breathing entity, full of energy and vitality. He writes:
“Hog Butcher for the World, Tool Maker, Stacker of Wheat, Player with Railroads and the Nation's Freight Handler; Stormy, husky, brawling, City of the Big Shoulders: They tell me you are wicked and I believe them, for I have seen your painted women under the gas lamps luring the farm boys. And they tell me you are crooked and I answer: Yes, it is true I have seen the gunman kill and go free to kill again. And they tell me you are brutal and my reply is: On the faces of women and children I have seen the marks of wanton hunger. And having answered so I turn once more to those who sneer at this my city, and I give them back the sneer and say to them: Come and show me another city with lifted head singing so proud to be alive and coarse and strong and cunning.”
In these lines, Sandburg captures the energy and vitality of Chicago, a city filled with hardworking people who are proud of their heritage and their ability to overcome adversity.
Good Morning, America
The second section of Troths, “Good Morning, America,” explores the beauty of the natural world and the power of language. In these poems, Sandburg writes about the majesty of the mountains, the serenity of the ocean, and the power of words to evoke emotions and move the soul.
One of the most beautiful poems in this section is “Prairie,” in which Sandburg describes the vast expanse of the American prairie. He writes:
“I am the prairie, mother of men, waiting. They are mine, the threshing crews eating beefsteak across the street, the corn huskers, the farm boys driving loaded wagons to market, the soft-handed people letting bygones be bygones. They are mine, the crowds of people at a Fourth of July basket picnic, listening to a lawyer read the Declaration of Independence, watching the pinwheels and Roman candles at night, the young men and women two by two hunting the bypaths and kissing bridges. They are mine, the horses looking over a fence in the frost, and the cows chewing their cuds late of a December night, and the mysterious barns, and the shadows down the lane of the threshing-floor aftermath, and the jog of a pump-handle and the squirt of the spurt into the thirsty trough, and the flicker of a lantern against a stable wall and the shadows of harnessed horses on a barn floor and the fly-by buzzing of the rathskeller squad at closing time, and the clangor of a shod horse on pavement under a row of electric lights.”
In these lines, Sandburg captures the beauty and serenity of the prairie, a place where hard work and community are the mainstays of daily life.
Under the Harvest Moon
The final section of Troths, “Under the Harvest Moon,” is a celebration of love and the passage of time. In these poems, Sandburg reflects on the joys and sorrows of love, the memories of childhood, and the inevitability of aging.
One of the most poignant poems in this section is “To a Contemporary Bunkshooter,” in which Sandburg writes about an itinerant salesman who has lost his way in life. He writes:
“You come along, tearing your shirt, yelling about Jesus. Where do you get that stuff? What do you know about Jesus? Jesus had a way of talking softly and everybody except a few bankers and higher-ups among the con men of Jerusalem liked to have this Jesus around because he never made any fake passes and everything he said went and he helped the sick and gave the people hope. You come along squirting words at us, shaking your fist and calling us all dam fools so fierce the froth slobbers over your lips… Who the hell are you anyway, a mendicant, a meddler A handy man on the make? Who paid you to come around? What do you want?”
In these lines, Sandburg captures the frustration and anger of the common people who are tired of being taken advantage of by those in power.
The Poetic Devices Used in Troths
In addition to its powerful themes, Troths also employs a range of poetic devices to evoke emotions and convey meaning. These include:
Free Verse
One of the most distinctive features of Sandburg’s writing is his use of free verse. Unlike traditional poetry, which follows strict rules of meter and rhyme, free verse allows Sandburg to experiment with the form and structure of his poems. This gives his writing a sense of freedom and spontaneity that is perfectly suited to his celebration of the human experience.
Repetition
Another powerful device used in Troths is repetition. Sandburg often repeats words and phrases throughout his poems, creating a rhythmic pattern that reinforces the message of the poem. For example, in “Chicago,” he repeats the phrase “And they tell me” to emphasize the contrast between the city’s reputation and its vitality.
Imagery
Sandburg is also a master of imagery, using vivid descriptions to create a sense of place and atmosphere in his poems. For example, in “Prairie,” he writes:
“They are mine, the horses looking over a fence in the frost, and the cows chewing their cuds late of a December night, and the mysterious barns, and the shadows down the lane of the threshing-floor aftermath…”
These lines create a vivid picture of life on the prairie, with its frosty nights, mysterious barns, and hardworking farmers.
Symbolism
Finally, Sandburg uses symbolism to convey deeper meanings in his poems. For example, in “Under the Harvest Moon,” he uses the image of the moon to symbolize the passage of time and the inevitability of aging. He writes:
“The flame-tree spreads its rosy haze about, One tree, and not a forest of the hills. The moon above the west rim of the world, Broken, the crimson sky, a cobwebbed maze of fire and smoke, Fog and haze moon-tangled, sunk in a sea of red.”
In these lines, the moon represents the passage of time, while the flame-tree represents the beauty and fragility of life.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Carl Sandburg’s Troths is a powerful collection of poems that celebrates the human experience. Through his use of free verse, repetition, imagery, and symbolism, Sandburg captures the vitality and resilience of the common people, the beauty of the natural world, and the power of language to evoke emotions and move the soul. His work is a testament to the enduring power of poetry to inspire, to uplift, and to remind us of our common humanity.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Troths: A Masterpiece by Carl Sandburg
Carl Sandburg, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, wrote the classic Poetry Troths in 1914. This masterpiece is a collection of poems that explores the beauty and complexity of life through the lens of nature. Sandburg's unique style of writing, which combines free verse with traditional forms, creates a powerful and evocative work that has stood the test of time.
The title of the collection, Poetry Troths, is a play on words. A troth is a promise or pledge, while a trove is a collection of valuable items. Sandburg's use of the word "troths" suggests that poetry is both a promise and a treasure. It is a promise to explore the depths of human experience and a treasure that enriches our lives.
The collection is divided into three sections: "Chicago Poems," "Cornhuskers," and "Smoke and Steel." Each section explores a different aspect of life in America at the turn of the century.
"Chicago Poems" is a tribute to Sandburg's hometown and the people who lived there. The poems in this section capture the energy and vitality of the city, as well as the struggles of its working-class residents. Sandburg's use of free verse and colloquial language gives the poems a raw and authentic feel.
One of the most famous poems in this section is "Chicago." This poem is a celebration of the city's industrial might and its ability to overcome adversity. Sandburg writes:
"Hog Butcher for the World, Tool Maker, Stacker of Wheat, Player with Railroads and the Nation's Freight Handler; Stormy, husky, brawling, City of the Big Shoulders"
These lines capture the essence of Chicago and its people. Sandburg's use of vivid imagery and strong verbs creates a sense of power and vitality that is both inspiring and intimidating.
"Cornhuskers" is a collection of poems that explores the beauty and harshness of life on the Great Plains. Sandburg's use of traditional forms, such as the sonnet and the ballad, gives these poems a timeless quality. The poems in this section are filled with images of the natural world, from the vast prairies to the endless skies.
One of the most poignant poems in this section is "Prairie." This poem describes the beauty and solitude of the Great Plains, as well as the hardships faced by those who live there. Sandburg writes:
"I am the prairie, mother of men, waiting. They are mine, the threshing crews eating beefsteak across the street, the cornhuskers, the farm boys driving steers to the railroad cattle pens."
These lines capture the resilience and determination of the people who live on the Great Plains. Sandburg's use of personification, in which the prairie is described as a mother, creates a sense of connection between humans and the natural world.
"Smoke and Steel" is a collection of poems that explores the impact of industrialization on American society. Sandburg's use of free verse and fragmented syntax creates a sense of chaos and disorientation that mirrors the upheaval of the modern world. The poems in this section are filled with images of factories, trains, and smokestacks.
One of the most powerful poems in this section is "Skyscraper." This poem describes the construction of a skyscraper and the impact it has on the people who live and work in its shadow. Sandburg writes:
"By day the skyscraper looms in the smoke and sun and has a soul. Prairie and valley, streets of the city, pour people into it and they mingle among its twenty floors and are one with its walls."
These lines capture the sense of awe and wonder that people felt when they first encountered skyscrapers. Sandburg's use of metaphor, in which the skyscraper is described as having a soul, creates a sense of connection between humans and the built environment.
In conclusion, Poetry Troths is a masterpiece of American poetry that explores the beauty and complexity of life through the lens of nature. Sandburg's unique style of writing, which combines free verse with traditional forms, creates a powerful and evocative work that has stood the test of time. The collection is a tribute to the people and places that shaped America at the turn of the century, and a reminder of the power of poetry to capture the essence of the human experience.
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