Poem Analysis - Improved Farm Land

Initial Impression and Tone

Carl Sandburg's "Improved Farm Land" presents a stark contrast between the natural world and human progress. The poem begins with a serene, almost nostalgic tone, describing a landscape once dominated by tall timber. However, this mood shifts dramatically as the poem progresses, revealing a more somber and reflective tone. The poem's narrative structure, moving from past to present, underscores the transformation of the land and the inevitable march of progress.

Historical and Authorial Context

Carl Sandburg, an American poet, was known for his works that often reflected the struggles and triumphs of the working class. His background as a laborer and his experiences during the Great Depression likely influenced his perspective on the relationship between nature and human development. The poem's setting in the corn belt along the Monon suggests a focus on agricultural progress and the industrialization of farming, themes that were prevalent during Sandburg's time.

Themes of Progress and Loss

The poem explores the theme of progress and its consequences. The transformation of the land from a forest to a cornfield symbolizes human achievement and the drive to improve and utilize natural resources. The phrase "improved property" emphasizes the economic and practical benefits of this transformation. However, the poem also highlights the loss that accompanies progress. The "great singing family of trees" that once stood there is now replaced by "hogs grunt over the fodder crops," indicating a loss of natural beauty and biodiversity.

Themes of Memory and Forgetting

Another prominent theme is the tension between memory and forgetting. The poem suggests that the land itself has a memory, but it is difficult for it to recall its past as a forest. The phrase "it would come hard now for this half mile of improved farm land along the Monon corn belt, on a piece of Grand Prairie, to remember once it had a great singing family of trees" underscores this idea. This theme reflects on how progress often erases the past, leaving only remnants of what once was.

Themes of Nature vs. Industry

The poem also delves into the conflict between nature and industry. The "axemen" and "lank railsplitters" represent the industrial forces that clear the land, while the "tall timber" and "great singing family of trees" represent the natural world. The use of dynamite, wagons, and horses to remove the stumps further emphasizes the industrialization of the landscape. This theme highlights the ongoing struggle between preserving natural environments and pursuing economic development.

Recurring Symbols and Images

The "tall timber" and "great singing family of trees" serve as powerful symbols of the natural world. They represent not just the physical landscape but also the beauty, harmony, and life that nature provides. In contrast, the "improved farm land" and "hogs grunt over the fodder crops" symbolize the utilitarian and often harsh realities of human progress. The "half-mile of trees" that once stood there also symbolize the vastness and interconnectedness of nature, which is disrupted by human intervention. The poem's imagery of the "axemen" and "chips flying" vividly illustrates the destructive power of industry, while the "plows sunk their teeth in" emphasizes the irreversible changes brought about by agriculture.

Conclusion

"Improved Farm Land" by Carl Sandburg offers a poignant reflection on the costs of progress. Through vivid imagery and symbolic language, the poem contrasts the natural world with human development, highlighting the losses that accompany gains. The tension between memory and forgetting, nature and industry, and progress and loss underscores the complex relationship between humans and their environment. Ultimately, the poem invites readers to consider the value of preserving natural beauty amidst the drive for improvement and development.