Poem Analysis - They Will Say

Initial Impression and Tone

Carl Sandburg's poem They Will Say presents a stark and somber critique of industrialization and its impact on children. The tone is accusatory and mournful, shifting from a sense of loss to a direct indictment of the city's exploitation of its youngest residents. The poem's free verse form supports its direct and unadorned language, allowing the harsh realities it describes to stand out starkly.

Historical and Author Background

Carl Sandburg was an American poet known for his work that often reflected the struggles of the working class and the urban poor. The poem likely reflects the social conditions of the late 19th and early 20th centuries in the United States, a time marked by rapid industrialization and the exploitation of child labor. Sandburg's background as a socialist and his experiences working in various jobs give his poetry a grounded, working-class perspective.

Themes: Exploitation and Loss of Innocence

The primary theme of the poem is the exploitation of children by the city, symbolizing industrialization and capitalism. The city is accused of taking children away from the natural world, represented by the sun, dew, and grass, and forcing them into labor. The phrase you put them between walls signifies the confinement and oppression of factory work. The loss of innocence is evident in the description of children being broken and smothered, their spirits crushed by the harsh conditions of labor.

Themes: The Dehumanizing Effects of Labor

The poem also explores the dehumanizing effects of labor on children. The imagery of eating dust in their throats and dying empty-hearted conveys the physical and emotional toll of their work. The phrase a little handful of pay on a few Saturday nights highlights the meager rewards for their labor, emphasizing the exploitation and lack of value placed on their lives. This theme underscores the poem's critique of a system that prioritizes profit over human dignity.

Themes: The City as a Symbol of Oppression

The city itself serves as a symbol of oppression and exploitation. The use of the pronoun you in the phrase of my city the worst that men will ever say is this personifies the city, making it a direct agent of the crimes described. This personification reinforces the idea that the city, as a representation of industrial society, is responsible for the suffering of its youngest members. The city's actions are presented as deliberate and malicious, heightening the poem's accusatory tone.

Recurring Symbols and Imagery

The natural elements sun, dew, and grass represent innocence, freedom, and the natural world. These elements are contrasted with the harsh, confining environment of the factory, symbolized by the walls. The imagery of the reckless rain and the glimmers that played in the grass under the great sky evokes a sense of joy and vitality, which is starkly contrasted with the grim reality of child labor. The dust in their throats and the empty-hearted deaths of the children further emphasize the dehumanizing effects of their labor. The handful of pay on a few Saturday nights symbolizes the meager and insufficient compensation for their hard work and suffering.

Conclusion

They Will Say is a powerful indictment of industrialization and its exploitation of children. Through vivid imagery and a direct, accusatory tone, Sandburg highlights the loss of innocence and the dehumanizing effects of labor. The city, as a symbol of oppression, is held accountable for the suffering of its youngest residents. The poem serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of unchecked industrialization and the importance of protecting the most vulnerable members of society.