Chicago Strength and Skill Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Line)

Quote #4

Bareheaded,
Shoveling,
Wrecking,
Planning,
Building, breaking, rebuilding, (13-17)

Here we have yet another image of strength (surprise, surprise). Chicago is constantly being built and rebuilt—and the speaker just loves all the smashing, wrecking, and rebuilding. We can almost see the wrecking balls and scaffolds around us—this is some intense, active imagery!

Quote #5

Laughing even as an ignorant fighter laughs who has never lost a battle,
Bragging and laughing that under his wrist is the pulse, and under his ribs the heart of the people,
Laughing!
Laughing the stormy, husky, brawling laughter of youth, half-naked, sweating, proud to be Hog Butcher, Tool Maker, Stacker of Wheat, Player with Railroads and Freight Handler to the Nation. (20-23)

Okay we get it! Chicago is "stormy, husky, brawling." It's young and sweaty. It's a fighter! A laughing fighter! Don't worry, Sandburg, we're not challenging Chicago to a fight. We know Chicago would kick our butts.