'Beginners' by Walt Whitman
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HOW they are provided for upon the earth, (appearing at intervals;)
How dear and dreadful they are to the earth;
How they inure to themselves as much as to any--What a paradox
appears their age;
How people respond to them, yet know them not;
How there is something relentless in their fate, all times;
How all times mischoose the objects of their adulation and reward,
And how the same inexorable price must still be paid for the same
great purchase.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Walt Whitman's Poetry, Beginners: A Vision of America
Walt Whitman's Poetry, Beginners is a collection of poems that serves as an introduction to his longer and more complex works, such as Leaves of Grass. This collection is an excellent starting point for anyone who wants to understand the essence of Whitman's poetic vision, which is centered on the celebration of life, nature, and the human spirit. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, techniques, and cultural context of Poetry, Beginners, and how they contribute to our understanding of Whitman's legacy.
The Themes of Poetry, Beginners
One of the most prominent themes of Poetry, Beginners is the celebration of the individual self. Whitman's poetry is deeply influenced by the transcendentalist philosophy that was popular in America during the mid-19th century. This philosophy emphasized the individual's connection to nature and the divine, and rejected the constraints of society and tradition. Whitman's poems reflect this philosophy by glorifying the individual self and celebrating its uniqueness and diversity. In "Song of Myself," for example, Whitman declares:
I celebrate myself, and sing myself,
And what I assume you shall assume,
For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you.
This passage encapsulates Whitman's belief in the essential unity of all things and the interconnectedness of the individual self with the universe.
Another theme of Poetry, Beginners is the celebration of nature. Whitman's poetry is filled with vivid descriptions of the natural world, from the "waves whitening" in "Crossing Brooklyn Ferry" to the "lofty cedar, the dwarf pine, the tangling juniper" in "Song of Myself." Whitman sees nature as a source of beauty, inspiration, and renewal, and he encourages his readers to embrace it and find solace in its rhythms and cycles. For Whitman, nature is not something separate from human experience, but an integral part of it.
A third theme of Poetry, Beginners is the celebration of America. Whitman was deeply patriotic and saw America as a land of opportunity, freedom, and democracy. His poems reflect his love for the American landscape, its people, and its history. In "I Hear America Singing," for example, Whitman celebrates the diversity of the American people and their collective creative spirit:
I hear America singing, the varied carols I hear,
Those of mechanics, each one singing his as it should be blithe and strong,
The carpenter singing his as he measures his plank or beam,
The mason singing his as he makes ready for work, or leaves off work,
The boatman singing what belongs to him in his boat, the deckhand singing on the steamboat deck,
The shoemaker singing as he sits on his bench, the hatter singing as he stands,
The wood-cutter's song, the ploughboy's on his way in the morning, or at noon intermission or at sundown,
The delicious singing of the mother, or of the young wife at work, or of the girl sewing or washing,
Each singing what belongs to him or her and to none else,
The day what belongs to the day—at night the party of young fellows, robust, friendly,
Singing with open mouths their strong melodious songs.
This passage captures the vitality and diversity of American life and its many voices.
The Techniques of Poetry, Beginners
Whitman's poetry is known for its unconventional techniques, which include free verse, cataloguing, and repetition. Free verse is a form of poetry that does not adhere to traditional rhyme or meter. Instead, it relies on the natural rhythms and cadences of everyday speech. Whitman's use of free verse in Poetry, Beginners was groundbreaking at the time and helped to establish it as a legitimate poetic form.
Cataloguing is another technique that Whitman employs in his poetry. It involves listing a series of related items, such as people, objects, or ideas, in a poem. Whitman's catalogs are often long and exhaustive, and they serve to emphasize the diversity and abundance of life. In "Song of Myself," for example, Whitman catalogues the many different types of people he encounters:
The runaway slave came to my house and stopt outside,
I heard his motions crackling the twigs of the woodpile,
Through the swung half-door of the kitchen I saw him limpsy and weak,
And went where he sat on a log and led him in and assured him,
And brought water and fill'd a tub for his sweated body and bruis'd feet,
And gave him a room that enter'd from my own, and gave him some coarse clean clothes,
And remember perfectly well his revolving eyes and his awkwardness,
And remember putting piasters on the galls of his neck and ankles;
This passage illustrates how Whitman's catalogs serve to humanize and individualize the people he encounters.
Repetition is another technique that Whitman uses in his poetry. He often repeats words, phrases, and lines to create a sense of rhythm and emphasis. In "Crossing Brooklyn Ferry," for example, Whitman repeats the phrase "It avails not" several times to emphasize the fleeting nature of human life and the enduring quality of the natural world:
It avails not, time nor place—distance avails not,
I am with you, you men and women of a generation, or ever so many generations hence,
Just as you feel when you look on the river and sky, so I felt,
Just as any of you is one of a living crowd, I was one of a crowd,
Just as you are refresh'd by the gladness of the river and the bright flow, I was refresh'd,
Just as you stand and lean on the rail, yet hurry with the swift current, I stood yet was hurried,
Just as you look on the numberless masts of ships and the thick-stemm'd pipes of steamboats, I look'd.
This passage illustrates how repetition can create a sense of unity and continuity in Whitman's poetry.
The Cultural Context of Poetry, Beginners
Poetry, Beginners was published in 1875, during a time of great social and cultural change in America. The country was still recovering from the Civil War, which had ended a decade earlier, and was experiencing rapid industrialization and urbanization. Whitman's poetry reflects these changes and celebrates the vitality and diversity of American life.
Whitman was also influenced by the transcendentalist movement, which was popular in America during the mid-19th century. This movement emphasized the individual's connection to nature and the divine, and rejected the constraints of society and tradition. Whitman's poetry reflects these ideas by glorifying the individual self and celebrating its uniqueness and diversity.
Finally, Whitman's poetry was deeply influenced by his own personal experiences. He worked as a journalist, a teacher, and a government clerk, and he had a deep love for the American landscape and its people. His poetry reflects his own life and experiences, as well as the larger cultural and social context of his time.
Conclusion
Walt Whitman's Poetry, Beginners is a powerful introduction to his poetic vision and legacy. Through its celebration of the individual self, nature, and America, and its use of unconventional techniques such as free verse, cataloguing, and repetition, Whitman's poetry reflects the social and cultural changes of his time and continues to resonate with readers today. As we read Whitman's poems, we are reminded of the beauty and complexity of the human experience, and of the enduring power of poetry to capture and celebrate it.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Beginners: A Masterpiece by Walt Whitman
Walt Whitman, the father of free verse, is one of the most celebrated poets in American literature. His works are known for their unconventional style, free-flowing structure, and profound themes. One of his most famous poems, Poetry Beginners, is a masterpiece that captures the essence of poetry and its impact on the human soul. In this article, we will analyze and explain this classic poem in detail.
The poem begins with the line, "To begin with, take warning, I am surely far different from what you suppose." This line sets the tone for the entire poem, as Whitman is warning the reader that his style of poetry is not conventional and may be different from what they are used to. He is inviting the reader to open their minds and embrace the new experience that he is about to offer.
Whitman then goes on to describe the power of poetry, stating that it is "the voice of the soul." He believes that poetry has the ability to connect with the deepest parts of our being and evoke emotions that we may not even be aware of. He describes poetry as a "song of the body and soul," emphasizing the idea that poetry is not just an intellectual exercise but a physical and emotional experience.
The next few lines of the poem are particularly powerful, as Whitman describes the impact that poetry has had on him personally. He says, "I too am not a bit tamed, I too am untranslatable, / I sound my barbaric yawp over the roofs of the world." This line is a reference to his famous poem, Song of Myself, in which he celebrates his own individuality and uniqueness. He is saying that poetry has given him the freedom to express himself in his own way, without conforming to societal norms.
Whitman then goes on to describe the different forms that poetry can take, from the simple and straightforward to the complex and abstract. He says that poetry can be "the word upborne high...or the song of the throats of birds." This line is a beautiful metaphor for the different ways in which poetry can be expressed, from the lofty and intellectual to the simple and natural.
The poem then takes a more philosophical turn, as Whitman reflects on the nature of reality and the role that poetry plays in shaping our perceptions of the world. He says, "Through me the afflatus surging and surging, through me / the current and index." This line is a reference to the idea that poetry has the power to shape our understanding of reality, to give us a new perspective on the world around us.
Whitman then goes on to describe the different emotions that poetry can evoke, from joy and ecstasy to sadness and despair. He says that poetry can be "the laughing and weeping of children, / the feverish excitements of the maniac." This line is a powerful reminder of the range of human emotions and the power of poetry to capture and express them.
The poem ends with a call to action, as Whitman urges the reader to embrace poetry and all that it has to offer. He says, "Come, said my soul, / Such verses for my Body let us write, (for we are one,) / That should I after return, / Or, long, long hence, in other spheres, / There to some group of mates the chants resuming, / (Tallying Earth's soil, trees, winds, tumultuous waves,) / Ever with pleas'd smile I may keep on, / Ever and ever yet the verses owning--as, first, I here and now / Signing for Soul and Body, set to them my name."
This final stanza is a beautiful expression of Whitman's belief in the power of poetry to connect us with our own souls and with the world around us. He is urging the reader to join him in this journey of self-discovery and to embrace the beauty and power of poetry.
In conclusion, Poetry Beginners is a masterpiece of American literature that captures the essence of poetry and its impact on the human soul. Whitman's unconventional style and profound themes make this poem a timeless classic that continues to inspire and move readers to this day. Whether you are a seasoned poetry lover or a beginner just starting out, this poem is a must-read that will leave you with a newfound appreciation for the power of words and the beauty of the human experience.
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