what impact do the author's descriptions of the city in the first five lines of "Chicago" have on the tone of the poem

The first five lines of the poem sets a stage of the tone of the poem by describing the city of Chicago as a city which is fierce and recontructed through facing rough circumstances. These lines gives an impact of a person who has come through rough circumstances victoriously and proudly.

Explanation:

"Chicago" is a poem written by Carl Sandburg. The poem is written as a tribute to a city which was seventy years old, when the poem was written. The city of Chicago was young compared to other cities in the US.

The first five lines of the poem gives an impression of a person who is rough and tough. These lines sets a stage for the rest of the poem.

The city is described as 'Hog Butcher', 'Tool Maker', 'City of Big Shoulders', etc in the first five lines of the poem. These suggests that Chicago is not just a city of rogues but has come victoriously of the problems and the rough and tough situations it has faced.