Sandburg 'Killers'

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer notes that in the 21st century, a poem like Carl Sandburg's "Killers" needs to be re-read and placed into a historical context to be understood properly. The writer maintains that "Killers" seems like it could be a race-based poem, a poem about slavery. However, the writer maintains that the most likely identity of the sixteen million killers in Sandburg's poem is the victims of World War One. The writer notes that unlike many war-themed poems, "Killers" does not glorify combat or the motives behind fighting. The writer concludes that the imagery of slavery and imprisonment used in the first stanza continues to characterize war as a futile effort, initiated by men in positions of power with little concern for the well-being of their fellow citizens.

From the Paper:

"Although Sandburg makes a point to disparage killing in itself, he admires the hardworking soldiers that fought for their country, preserving the rights and freedoms they believed in. A mixture of hardness and softness pervades Sandburg's poem."
"Sandburg's imagery corresponds with the poet's first stanza wordplay. The initial image of a man in handcuffs also hints at slavery, suggesting that Sandburg did not agree with military conscription. Millions of American men were drafted into military service when Congress declared war on Germany in 1917. It is possible that Sandburg was making a political statement with his poetry by using images of prisoners and slavery."

More papers on Sandburg 'Killers':

• Analytical Essay # 126755 : "Female Serial Killers"
• Analytical Essay # 4520 : "The Killers"
• Research Paper # 128561 : "Female Serial Killers"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: