'To A Contemporary Bunkshooter' by Carl Sandburg
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You come along. . . tearing your shirt. . . yelling aboutJesus.Where do you get that stuff?What do you know about Jesus?
Jesus had a way of talking soft and outside of a fewbankers and higher-ups among the con men of Jerusalemeverybody liked to have this Jesus around becausehe never made any fake passes and everythinghe said went and he helped the sick and gave thepeople hope.You come along squirting words at us, shaking your fistand calling us all damn fools so fierce the froth slobbersover your lips. . . always blabbing we're allgoing to hell straight off and you know all about it.I've read Jesus' words. I know what he said. You don'tthrow any scare into me. I've got your number. Iknow how much you know about Jesus.
He never came near clean people or dirty people butthey felt cleaner because he came along. It was yourcrowd of bankers and business men and lawyershired the sluggers and murderers who put Jesus outof the running.I say the same bunch backing you nailed the nails intothe hands of this Jesus of Nazareth. He had linedup against him the same crooks and strong-arm mennow lined up with you paying your way.This Jesus was good to look at, smelled good, listenedgood. He threw out something fresh and beautifulfrom the skin of his body and the touch of his handswherever he passed along.
You slimy bunkshooter, you put a smut on every humanblossom in reach of your rotten breath belchingabout hell-fire and hiccupping about this Man wholived a clean life in Galilee.When are you going to quit making the carpenters buildemergency hospitals for women and girls drivencrazy with wrecked nerves from your gibberish aboutJesus--I put it to you again: Where do you get thatstuff; what do you know about Jesus?Go ahead and bust all the chairs you want to. Smasha whole wagon load of furniture at every performance.Turn sixty somersaults and stand on yournutty head. If it wasn't for the way you scare thewomen and kids I'd feel sorry for you and pass the hat.
I like to watch a good four-flusher work, but not whenhe starts people puking and calling for the doctors.
I like a man that's got nerve and can pull off a greatoriginal performance, but you--you're only a bug-house peddler of second-hand gospel--you're onlyshoving out a phoney imitation of the goods thisJesus wanted free as air and sunlight.You tell people living in shanties Jesus is going to fix itup all right with them by giving them mansions inthe skies after they're dead and the worms haveeaten 'em.
You tell $6 a week department store girls all they needis Jesus; you take a steel trust wop, dead withouthaving lived, gray and shrunken at forty years ofage, and you tell him to look at Jesus on the crossand he'll be all right.
You tell poor people they don't need any more moneyon pay day and even if it's fierce to be out of a job,Jesus'll fix that up all right, all right--all they gottado is take Jesus the way you say.
I'm telling you Jesus wouldn't stand for the stuff you'rehanding out. Jesus played it different. The bankersand lawyers of Jerusalem got their sluggers andmurderers to go after Jesus just because Jesuswouldn't play their game. He didn't sit in withthe big thieves.I don't want a lot of gab from a bunkshooter in my religion.
I won't take my religion from any man who never worksexcept with his mouth and never cherishes any memoryexcept the face of the woman on the Americansilver dollar.I ask you to come through and show me where you'repouring out the blood of your life.I've been to this suburb of Jerusalem they call Golgotha,where they nailed Him, and I know if the story isstraight it was real blood ran from His hands andthe nail-holes, and it was real blood spurted in reddrops where the spear of the Roman soldier rammedin between the ribs of this Jesus of Nazareth.
Editor 1 Interpretation
"To A Contemporary Bunkshooter": A Critique of Society
Carl Sandburg's poem "To A Contemporary Bunkshooter" is a powerful and evocative piece of poetry that reflects on the nature of society and its impact on the individual. Written in 1916, at a time when America was experiencing great social and economic change, the poem captures the anxieties and tensions of the era. In this literary analysis, we shall delve into the themes, imagery, and style employed by Sandburg in crafting this iconic poem.
Themes
The poem "To A Contemporary Bunkshooter" is a reflection on the state of contemporary society and how it affects the individual. Sandburg's poem is a call to action for the individual to resist the forces of conformity and to stand up for their own values and beliefs. The poem's central theme is the individual's struggle to maintain their independence in the face of societal pressures.
Sandburg uses the word "bunkshooter" as a metaphor for the individual who is willing to compromise their values and beliefs in order to fit in with society. The bunkshooter, according to Sandburg, is someone who is willing to say and do whatever is necessary to succeed in life, even if it means sacrificing their own integrity. The poem is a warning against such compromising behavior and an exhortation to the individual to remain true to their own values.
Another theme that emerges in the poem is the power of language to shape our perceptions of reality. The bunkshooter, in Sandburg's view, is someone who is skilled in the use of language to manipulate others. By using words that are vague or ambiguous, the bunkshooter is able to create an impression of reality that is not necessarily true. Sandburg's poem is a call to the individual to be aware of the power of language and to use it responsibly.
Imagery
The imagery in "To A Contemporary Bunkshooter" is vivid and evocative. Sandburg uses a variety of images and metaphors to convey his message. One of the most striking images in the poem is that of the "bunkhouse." The bunkhouse is a symbol of the conformity and uniformity of contemporary society. It represents a place where individuals are forced to give up their own individuality in order to fit in with the group.
Sandburg also uses the image of the "snake oil salesman" to represent the bunkshooter. The snake oil salesman is a figure from American folklore who is known for selling fake remedies to gullible people. Sandburg uses this image to suggest that the bunkshooter is someone who is willing to say and do whatever is necessary to succeed, even if it means deceiving others.
Another powerful image in the poem is that of the "wheat fields." The wheat fields are a symbol of the natural world and the individual's connection to it. Sandburg suggests that the individual who is able to maintain their independence and integrity is like a wheat stalk, standing tall and proud in the midst of the fields.
Style
Sandburg's style in "To A Contemporary Bunkshooter" is characterized by its simplicity and directness. The poem is written in free verse, with no regular meter or rhyme scheme. This gives the poem a sense of spontaneity and immediacy. Sandburg's language is also very straightforward, with no unnecessary ornamentation or complexity.
One of the most striking features of Sandburg's style in this poem is his use of repetition. The word "bunkshooter" is repeated throughout the poem, emphasizing its importance as a metaphor for the individual who is willing to compromise their values for the sake of conformity. Sandburg also uses repetition to create a sense of rhythm and momentum in the poem.
Another feature of Sandburg's style in this poem is his use of colloquial language. Sandburg's use of idiomatic expressions and regional dialects gives the poem a sense of authenticity and immediacy. The language he uses is accessible and easy to understand, making the poem accessible to a wide audience.
Conclusion
"To A Contemporary Bunkshooter" is a powerful and evocative poem that reflects on the nature of society and its impact on the individual. Through vivid imagery, simple language, and direct style, Sandburg creates a memorable portrayal of the forces that shape our lives. The poem serves as a warning against the dangers of conformity and a call to the individual to resist the pressures of society and remain true to their own values and beliefs. It is an enduring literary masterpiece that continues to speak to readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry To A Contemporary Bunkshooter: An Analysis
Carl Sandburg's Poetry To A Contemporary Bunkshooter is a masterpiece of modernist poetry. Written in 1916, the poem is a critique of the capitalist system and the exploitation of the working class. The poem is a powerful indictment of the dehumanizing effects of industrialization and the commodification of human labor. In this article, we will analyze the poem in detail and explore its themes, imagery, and language.
The poem is addressed to a "bunkshooter," a slang term for a traveling salesman who sells bunk or worthless goods. The bunkshooter is a symbol of the capitalist system, which exploits the working class by selling them worthless goods and services. Sandburg uses the term "bunkshooter" to represent the capitalist system as a whole, which he sees as a corrupt and exploitative force.
The poem begins with a powerful image of a train rushing through the night. Sandburg describes the train as a "long, thin, dark, snake-like" creature that "hisses and rattles through the dark." The train is a symbol of industrialization and the capitalist system, which is driven by the relentless pursuit of profit. The train is also a symbol of the dehumanizing effects of industrialization, which turns human beings into mere cogs in a machine.
Sandburg then turns his attention to the bunkshooter, whom he describes as a "man with a gray heart." The bunkshooter is a symbol of the capitalist system, which is driven by greed and the pursuit of profit at the expense of human dignity. Sandburg describes the bunkshooter as a "man with a gray heart" to emphasize the moral emptiness of the capitalist system.
Sandburg then contrasts the bunkshooter with the poet, whom he describes as a "man with a red heart." The poet is a symbol of the human spirit, which is capable of transcending the dehumanizing effects of industrialization and the capitalist system. Sandburg describes the poet as a "man with a red heart" to emphasize the vitality and passion of the human spirit.
Sandburg then goes on to describe the poet's vision of the world. The poet sees the world as a place of beauty and wonder, where every human being is valued and respected. The poet sees the world as a place of freedom and creativity, where every human being is free to express themselves and pursue their dreams.
Sandburg then contrasts the poet's vision of the world with the reality of the capitalist system. He describes the capitalist system as a "gray, metallic monster" that devours human beings and turns them into mere commodities. Sandburg describes the capitalist system as a "monster" to emphasize its destructive power and the dehumanizing effects it has on human beings.
Sandburg then concludes the poem with a powerful call to action. He urges the bunkshooter to "come out of the gray shadows" and join the poet in his vision of a better world. Sandburg urges the bunkshooter to reject the capitalist system and embrace the human spirit, which is capable of transcending the dehumanizing effects of industrialization and the commodification of human labor.
In conclusion, Poetry To A Contemporary Bunkshooter is a powerful critique of the capitalist system and the dehumanizing effects of industrialization. The poem is a call to action, urging us to reject the capitalist system and embrace the human spirit. Sandburg's use of imagery and language is masterful, creating a vivid and powerful portrait of the world we live in and the world we could create. This poem is a timeless masterpiece of modernist poetry, and its message is as relevant today as it was when it was written over a century ago.
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