Final answer:
Carl Sandburg's poem “Chicago” is primarily focused on the industrialization and cultural life of Chicago in the early 20th century, not its natural beauty or political landscape of the time. It celebrates the city's work ethic and social dynamics while acknowledging its challenges.
Step-by-step explanation:
Carl Sandburg’s poem “Chicago” reflects upon the industrialization and the vibrant social and cultural life of Chicago in the early 20th century. Sandburg does not directly address political issues of the time nor the natural beauty of the city in this work. Instead, the poem celebrates the city's robust work ethic, its role as a hub for industrial work (meat-packing, in particular), and its dynamic population, despite also acknowledging the city's gritty and rougher edges. The imagery Sandburg employs often juxtaposes the industrial landscape with the strength and character of the city's inhabitants,—describing Chicago as the “City of Broad Shoulders.”
This exploration of industrial city life was a common theme in literature and art during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, as cities developed unique characters based on their core industries that led to rapid expansion and the accompanying social challenges. Chicago's meat-packing industry played a significant role in shaping the city's identity, as did steel in Pittsburgh and automobile manufacturing in Detroit. Writers like Dickens in Britain and naturalist novelists in the United States depicted urban life with all its complexities and inequalities, contributing to social change and reflection.