Carl Sandburg (1878 – 1967), the famous American poet, historian, political organizer, novelist, and folklorist, is rightly recognized as ‘the singing bard’. An Important characteristic feature of his work has been that he gave expression to the people with the least power through his writings. Significantly, Sandburg played a central role in the ‘Chicago Renaissance’ and has been crucial in the progress of poetry in the first two decades of the last century. The international recognition that he was able to enjoy may be seen as the result of the quality of his literary endeavors and the style and effectiveness of his writing along with the universality and inevitability of the topics he dealt with. In this paper, the poetic genius of the writer in relation to the different styles of the poet has been investigated.
Carl Sandburg the internationally recognized literary figure was born in Galesburg Illinois on January 6, 1878, as the son of poor Swedish immigrant parents. He always recognized himself as an idealist. Sandburg was awarded the Levinson Prize in 1914 which made hem as an important new voice in literature. His first major collection of poems was Chicago Poems which “included the famous ‘Chicago’ and ‘Fog.’ “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…/” (from ‘Chicago’).” (Carl Sandburg 1878 – 1967). In Cornhuskers (1918) is the book in which Sandburg wrote his war experiences. Sandburg became active in the Socialist movement in the 1930s. His interest in American folksongs resulted in productions such as The American Songbag 1927 and New American Songbag (1950). His most popular single book The People, Yes came out in 1936. Sandburg’s single novel Remembrance Rock, an epic saga of America, came out in 1948 and the autobiographical works Always the Young Strangers and Ever the Winds of Change in 1953 and 1983 respectively. He received several literary awards. He died on July 22, 1967.
One of the styles of Sandburg, the free verse, has been noted for replicating industrial America. It also gained wide popularity during the Depression years, although his use of everyday language at first shocked readers. “It was said in the 1920s that if you still didn’t like free verse, you would, once you heard Sandburg. He was considered the master interpreter of his own poetry.” (Sandburg, 76). “Home Thoughts” is an example of this style of writing. The eighth line of the “hours empty as a beggar’s tin cup on a rainy day” uses simile and the next one “Empty as a soldier’s sleeve with an arm lost” also refers to the same idea. “It is here that he is trying to convey to you the deep emotional torment of being away from his loving wife and family. Also, note that he uses a device known as repetition… He also repeats “Speak to me…” at the end of the poem letting us know that he longs to hear her voice.” (Carl Sandburg (1878 – 1967): Explication of “Home Thoughts”).
One quality of Carl Sandburg’s poetry is that it is very cool and it resulted from his writing style which is free of rhyme, meter, and the governing rules of verse. His works are noted for his own personal voice. This was made possible by the honesty in his thought and word and his liberation from constraints of established methods allowed. “The simplistic approach at times appears not to even be poetry. Perhaps that is why his work appealed to simple people. His language expressed moods and impressions that were poetry; not words fashioned to become “a poem”. This organic quality is inherent to any art form that somehow speaks to our soul.” (Angelo et al). All these qualities of style in his writings made him an internationally recognized writer.
Sandburg’s poems are also celebrated for the straightforward style as is evident in the poem “Government.” this poem seems to be relevant to every age and time. “Its style and theme are somewhat representative of Sandburg’s work in general and it is written in a type of free verse. The meaning of the poem is not covered in figurative language, rather as with most of Sandburg’s work, the themes are just as accessible to the factory worker as to the literary critic.” (Allen). The following lines from the poem tell the character of his poetic style. “Everywhere I saw that Government is a thing made of men, that Government has blood and bones, it is many mouths whispering into many ears, sending telegrams, aiming rifles, writing orders, saying “yes” and “no.”
In short, the style of Sandburg’s is celebrated for its simplicity and straightforwardness. The free verse is made a personal style by the poet, which indicates the superiority of his poetry. Thus, in conclusion, the attribution ‘the singing bard’ seems to be very much justified.
Work cited
Allen, Shane. A Man of the People: A Brief Discussion of Carl Sandburg and His Poem “Government”. 2000. Web.
Angelo, Andrew D et al. The Carl Sandburg Project: Matt Wilson Quartet with Special guest Dawn Thomson. 2008. Web.
Carl Sandburg (1878 – 1967). 2000. Web.
Carl Sandburg (1878 – 1967): Explication of “Home Thoughts”. 2008. Web.
Sandburg, Helga. A Great and Glorious Romance: The Story of Carl Sandburg and Lilian Steichen. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich. 1978. P.76.