What is the poem Steam Shovel about?
"Steam Shovel" by Carl Sandburg is about a powerful and noisy machine that reshapes the landscape, conveying a sense of awe and human ingenuity. Here is a summary:
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- The poem describes the steam shovel as a "huge", "crouching" machine with a "blinding" light that approaches.
- The shovel's actions and surroundings suggest a dynamic, industrial environment as it digs, scoops up dirt, and carries it away.
- The poem depicts the industrial might and the steam shovel's relentless digging as it rips and plows through the earth, creating hills and valleys where none existed.
- It creates a picture of a "city at night" with its loud noises, red flares, and billowing smoke, emphasizing its transformative influence.
- While the steam shovel wields extraordinary power, it remains an object of human creation and control, hinting at the tension between human ingenuity and nature.
- Sandburg's imagery and onomatopoeia ("whango", "clang") contribute to the dynamic and almost chaotic energy of the poem, mirroring the machine's relentless work.
- Overall, "Steam Shovel" is a celebration of human innovation, industrial progress, and the ability to shape the landscape, capturing the excitement and raw energy of the machine.
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