City Ballads

"City Ballads" by Will Carleton is a collection of poems written in the late 19th century. The work reflects on the experiences of individuals transitioning from rural life to the complex and often challenging landscape of city living. Through the perspectives of a young student and an old farmer, Carleton explores themes of wealth, want, fire, water, vice, virtue, and the myriad experiences found within urban life. The opening of "City Ballads" introduces readers to the main themes and characters through the reflections of Arthur Selwyn, a young man freshly arrived in the city, and Farmer Harrington, an old farmer trying to adapt to his new surroundings. Both characters articulate their profound impressions of the city, contrasting its wealth and beauty with the loneliness and challenges they face. The poems touch on the allure of city life and the struggle for individual identity amid the bustling metropolis, setting the stage for the exploration of humanity's highs and lows in the urban setting as the narrative unfolds.