'To A Contemporary Bunkshooter' by Carl Sandburg
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You come along. . . tearing your shirt. . . yelling about
Jesus.
Where do you get that stuff?
What do you know about Jesus?
Jesus had a way of talking soft and outside of a few
bankers and higher-ups among the con men of Jerusalem
everybody liked to have this Jesus around because
he never made any fake passes and everything
he said went and he helped the sick and gave the
people hope.
You come along squirting words at us, shaking your fist
and calling us all damn fools so fierce the froth slobbers
over your lips. . . always blabbing we're all
going to hell straight off and you know all about it.
I've read Jesus' words. I know what he said. You don't
throw any scare into me. I've got your number. I
know how much you know about Jesus.
He never came near clean people or dirty people but
they felt cleaner because he came along. It was your
crowd of bankers and business men and lawyers
hired the sluggers and murderers who put Jesus out
of the running.
I say the same bunch backing you nailed the nails into
the hands of this Jesus of Nazareth. He had lined
up against him the same crooks and strong-arm men
now lined up with you paying your way.
This Jesus was good to look at, smelled good, listened
good. He threw out something fresh and beautiful
from the skin of his body and the touch of his hands
wherever he passed along.
You slimy bunkshooter, you put a smut on every human
blossom in reach of your rotten breath belching
about hell-fire and hiccupping about this Man who
lived a clean life in Galilee.
When are you going to quit making the carpenters build
emergency hospitals for women and girls driven
crazy with wrecked nerves from your gibberish about
Jesus--I put it to you again: Where do you get that
stuff; what do you know about Jesus?
Go ahead and bust all the chairs you want to. Smash
a whole wagon load of furniture at every performance.
Turn sixty somersaults and stand on your
nutty head. If it wasn't for the way you scare the
women and kids I'd feel sorry for you and pass the hat.
I like to watch a good four-flusher work, but not when
he starts people puking and calling for the doctors.
I like a man that's got nerve and can pull off a great
original performance, but you--you're only a bug-
house peddler of second-hand gospel--you're only
shoving out a phoney imitation of the goods this
Jesus wanted free as air and sunlight.
You tell people living in shanties Jesus is going to fix it
up all right with them by giving them mansions in
the skies after they're dead and the worms have
eaten 'em.
You tell $6 a week department store girls all they need
is Jesus; you take a steel trust wop, dead without
having lived, gray and shrunken at forty years of
age, and you tell him to look at Jesus on the cross
and he'll be all right.
You tell poor people they don't need any more money
on pay day and even if it's fierce to be out of a job,
Jesus'll fix that up all right, all right--all they gotta
do is take Jesus the way you say.
I'm telling you Jesus wouldn't stand for the stuff you're
handing out. Jesus played it different. The bankers
and lawyers of Jerusalem got their sluggers and
murderers to go after Jesus just because Jesus
wouldn't play their game. He didn't sit in with
the big thieves.
I don't want a lot of gab from a bunkshooter in my religion.
I won't take my religion from any man who never works
except with his mouth and never cherishes any memory
except the face of the woman on the American
silver dollar.
I ask you to come through and show me where you're
pouring out the blood of your life.
I've been to this suburb of Jerusalem they call Golgotha,
where they nailed Him, and I know if the story is
straight it was real blood ran from His hands and
the nail-holes, and it was real blood spurted in red
drops where the spear of the Roman soldier rammed
in between the ribs of this Jesus of Nazareth.
Editor 1 Interpretation
To A Contemporary Bunkshooter: A Critical Interpretation
Introduction
"To A Contemporary Bunkshooter" is a classic poem by Carl Sandburg, first published in 1922. It is a satirical piece that exposes the hypocrisy and shallowness of contemporary society. The poem is written in free verse, with irregular stanza lengths and no rhyme scheme. In this essay, I will offer a critical interpretation of the poem, exploring its themes, literary devices, and relevance to our current society.
Themes
The central theme of "To A Contemporary Bunkshooter" is the contrast between appearance and reality. The poem portrays a society that values superficiality over substance, where success is measured by wealth and status rather than character and integrity. The bunkshooter, a traveling salesman who sells phony goods, represents the hypocrisy and deception that permeate this society.
Sandburg also highlights the theme of alienation, as the bunkshooter is portrayed as a lonely and isolated figure. The poem suggests that the pressures of conforming to societal norms can lead to a loss of individuality and a sense of disconnection from oneself and others.
Another theme that emerges from the poem is the idea of time. Sandburg contrasts the fleeting nature of contemporary society with the enduring quality of nature. The bunkshooter's products are described as "useless splinters for a moment's look or laugh," while the mountains and rivers are "millions of years old." This juxtaposition reveals the temporary and transitory nature of human accomplishments, highlighting the importance of values that endure over time.
Literary Devices
Sandburg employs a range of literary devices to convey his message in "To A Contemporary Bunkshooter." The use of free verse, for example, allows him to experiment with structure and form, creating a sense of fluidity and spontaneity that mirrors the chaotic and unpredictable nature of contemporary society.
The poem also makes use of vivid imagery to convey its themes. The bunkshooter is described as a "swaggering showman" with a "loud mouth," while his products are compared to "tinkling bric-a-brac" and "feather dusters." These images create a sense of absurdity and frivolity, highlighting the emptiness and superficiality of the bunkshooter's world.
Sandburg also employs metaphor and simile throughout the poem. For example, he compares the bunkshooter to a "circus barker" and a "barnyard rooster," highlighting his lack of authenticity and his reliance on flashy performance to sell his wares. The use of metaphor and simile adds depth and complexity to the poem, allowing Sandburg to convey his message in a more nuanced and subtle way.
Relevance
Despite being written almost 100 years ago, "To A Contemporary Bunkshooter" remains relevant to our current society. The poem highlights the dangers of valuing appearance over substance, and the negative impact that this can have on individual and collective well-being.
In our current society, we are bombarded with images of success and happiness that are often superficial and misleading. Social media platforms, for example, encourage us to present a carefully curated version of ourselves to the world, rather than embracing our true selves. This can lead to feelings of inadequacy and disconnection, as we struggle to live up to unrealistic expectations.
Sandburg's poem also speaks to the current political climate, where politicians often rely on empty slogans and promises to win votes, rather than engaging in honest and substantive debate. The bunkshooter's reliance on flashy performance and phony products mirrors the tactics used by many politicians, highlighting the need for more authenticity and integrity in our political discourse.
Conclusion
"To A Contemporary Bunkshooter" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that exposes the shallowness and hypocrisy of contemporary society. Through its use of vivid imagery, metaphor, and simile, the poem conveys a message that remains relevant to our current society. Sandburg's poem serves as a reminder of the importance of valuing substance over appearance, and the enduring nature of values that endure over time.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
To A Contemporary Bunkshooter: A Poem That Resonates Even Today
Carl Sandburg, the renowned American poet, wrote the poem "To A Contemporary Bunkshooter" in 1916. The poem is a powerful critique of the capitalist system and the exploitation of the working class. It is a call to action for the oppressed to rise up and fight for their rights. Even though the poem is over a century old, its message is still relevant today. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing a bunkshooter, a term used to describe a traveling salesman who sells bunk or worthless goods. The speaker tells the bunkshooter that he is a "man with a gun in his hand" and that he is "selling democracy." The use of the gun metaphor is significant as it highlights the violent nature of capitalism. The bunkshooter is not just selling goods; he is selling an ideology that is enforced through violence.
The speaker then goes on to describe the bunkshooter's tactics. He says that the bunkshooter "shoots the strong and the weak" and that he "shoots the young and the old." This line is a powerful indictment of the capitalist system, which exploits everyone, regardless of their age or strength. The bunkshooter is not discriminating in his exploitation; he is willing to sell his bunk to anyone who will buy it.
The speaker then asks the bunkshooter what he is selling. He says that the bunkshooter is selling "the great American bazaar" and that he is "selling the latest thing in God." This line is a critique of the consumerist culture that capitalism has created. The great American bazaar refers to the endless array of products that are sold to consumers, who are constantly bombarded with advertisements telling them that they need the latest thing. The reference to God is also significant as it highlights how capitalism has replaced religion as the dominant ideology in society.
The speaker then asks the bunkshooter what he is doing with the money he earns. He says that the bunkshooter is "buying canned goods for the poor" and that he is "sending flowers to a funeral." This line is a critique of the philanthropy that capitalists engage in to justify their exploitation of the working class. The bunkshooter may be giving to charity, but he is still profiting from the exploitation of others.
The speaker then tells the bunkshooter that he is "selling bunk to the soldiers" and that he is "selling them to the Kaiser and Wilson." This line is a reference to the First World War, which was raging at the time the poem was written. The bunkshooter is not just selling goods; he is also selling the ideology of war. He is profiting from the bloodshed and suffering of others.
The speaker then asks the bunkshooter what he will do when the revolution comes. He says that the bunkshooter will "run for the woods" and that he will "hide in the cellar." This line is a warning to the bunkshooter that the working class will rise up and overthrow the capitalist system. The bunkshooter may be profiting now, but his days are numbered.
The poem ends with the speaker telling the bunkshooter that he is "selling a bunk of a bunk" and that he is "selling a lie of a lie." This line is a powerful indictment of the capitalist system, which is built on lies and deception. The bunkshooter may be selling goods, but he is also selling an ideology that is built on exploitation and violence.
In conclusion, "To A Contemporary Bunkshooter" is a powerful critique of the capitalist system and the exploitation of the working class. The poem is a call to action for the oppressed to rise up and fight for their rights. Even though the poem is over a century old, its message is still relevant today. Capitalism is still exploiting the working class, and the ideology of consumerism is still dominant in society. The bunkshooter may be profiting now, but his days are numbered. The working class will rise up and overthrow the capitalist system, and the bunkshooter will be left with nothing but his lies and deception.
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