Fraternal Songs For Eternal Commons

The dissertation discusses Carl Sandburg as the people's poet, which starts from his common origin in the Mid-West of America and his early western hobo journey, then his socialistic tendency directing him to step into the common people and social practice that enriched his later poetic creation. And at the same time, his common origin, early wandering and socialistic activities can be regarded as the groundwork for him to grow into a poet of the people. Then, the series of Sandburg's main poetry anthologies are convincing evidences to explain his affinity with the common persons: first, the early representative The Chicago Poems; then Cornhuskers, Smoke and Steel, Slabs of Sunburt West; at last, the culmination of his poetic creation, The People, Yes as his fraternal songs dedicated to the eternal people. By the analysis, the course of his affinity with the common people is made clear, during which protrudes the greatness and powerfulness of the people and Sandburg's devotion to them in his poetry. The further discussion is to bring forth Sandburg's poetic theory and his persistence of function of a poet in society. Afterwards, the dissertation proves Sandburg's poetics originates from the ordinary people as the foundation stone of his poetry. In detail discussed is his poetics: the people's simple language, their realistic and common topics, the poetic style and the forms the people like, including some heritage from Walt Whitman. After this, his great influence on modern poetry, as well as the revelation from the study, is given to illuminate the importance and value of the people's poet in the development of modern literature. Generally, Carl Sandburg thinks the people are eternal and imperishable in history. He originates from them and cherishes this brotherhood. So, as the people's poet, he rhymes to express his deep love and profound concern for them.