Exploring Influences in Sandburg's Life

1. Who were George Brown, Newton Bateman, and Justin Finley, and what might have inspired Sandburg to commence his autobiography by reflecting on them?

Disappointment in Icons

2. In what ways does Sandburg feel let down by Robert Todd Lincoln and William Jennings Bryan?

Family Dynamics

3. Contrast the diverse personalities, backgrounds, and passions of Sandburg's father and mother.

Swedish Immigrants and the Land

4. What kind of connection do Swedish immigrants, particularly John Krans, Magnus Holmes, and August Sandburg, have with the land? What dreams and challenges did it pose for them?

Identity and Name Changes

5. What prompts Sandburg to change his name from Carl to Charles? How does this decision relate to Holmes's own transformation?

Influence of Joe Elser

6. How does Joe Elser impact Sandburg and Mart? In what ways does he become a paternal figure to them?

The Heart of the Home

7. What significance does the kitchen hold in Sandburg's childhood home? Why might Sandburg have chosen to paint such a vivid picture of this space?

Reflections on a Historical Moment

8. What impact does the funeral parade of Ulysses S. Grant have on Sandburg? What questions and concerns does it spark within him?

Baseball and Its Influence

9. Describe Sandburg's perspective on baseball. Why was this sport so beloved during his era, and how does it lead Sandburg and his circle into mischief? What ultimately dissuades him from pursuing a professional baseball career?

Circus Sideshow Characters

10. How do the individuals in the circus sideshow leave an impression on Sandburg? Which of these figures does he hold in admiration? Whom does he pity and why? Conversely, whom does he not sympathize with, and why?

The Significance of Schulz Cigar Shop

11. In what ways does the Schulz Cigar Shop hold importance for Sandburg?

The "Dirty Dozen"

12. Who are the "Dirty Dozen" and how did they earn their moniker? What is Sandburg's connection to this crew?

Views on Authority

13. Illustrate Sandburg's attitude towards police officers and the law. What are his encounters with jails like, and how do they differ from one another?

Sandburg's Relationship with Work

14. Discuss young Sandburg's approach to employment. What types of jobs does he undertake? Which ones does he favor, and which does he detest? What drives his frequent changes in occupation? How do these jobs shape his self-perception?

First Impressions of Chicago

15. What are Sandburg's initial impressions of Chicago? What does the city symbolize for him in his youth, and how do his feelings evolve over time?

Experiences in Kansas

16. What does Sandburg mean when he states, "I was not a hobo in Lamed, Kansas"? What lessons might Sandburg have gleaned from his time as a hobo?

Father-Son Comparisons

17. By the conclusion of his autobiography, how has Sandburg diverged from his father, and in what aspects does he still resemble him?

Unique Military Experiences

18. In what ways does Sandburg's military service differ from the typical experience? How does it alter his life?