'O You Whom I Often And Silently Come' by Walt Whitman


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O YOU whom I often and silently come where you are, that I may be
with you;
As I walk by your side, or sit near, or remain in the same room with
you,
Little you know the subtle electric fire that for your sake is
playing within me.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Interpretation and Criticism of "O You Whom I Often and Silently Come" by Walt Whitman

"O You Whom I Often and Silently Come" is a poem by Walt Whitman, one of the most influential poets in American literature. First published in 1860 in the third edition of his Leaves of Grass, the poem is a tribute to an anonymous lover who has been the subject of the poet's silent reveries. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the themes, structure, literary devices, and the historical context of the poem.

Historical Context

Before analyzing the poem, it is essential to understand the historical context in which it was written. "O You Whom I Often and Silently Come" was first published in 1860, during the tumultuous years preceding the American Civil War. Whitman, who was a staunch supporter of the Union, used his poetry to advocate for American democracy, individualism, and equality.

In this poem, Whitman explores the complexities of love and desire, and the longing for intimacy and connection that is present in all human beings. Whitman's poetry was also known for its celebration of the body and the senses, which was considered scandalous and immoral at the time. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the social and cultural norms of the time in which the poem was written, and how it challenged those norms.

Themes

The central theme of "O You Whom I Often and Silently Come" is love and desire. The speaker is addressing an anonymous lover, expressing his deep affection and longing. The poem is filled with sensual and erotic imagery, as the speaker recounts the moments he has spent in the presence of his beloved.

The poem also touches on the themes of intimacy, connection, and transcendence. The speaker is seeking a deeper level of intimacy and connection with his lover, one that goes beyond the physical realm. He wishes to merge with his beloved on a spiritual level, as he states in the lines, "I merge myself in thee, babe, / And in thee too I lose myself."

Another significant theme in the poem is the celebration of the body and the senses. Whitman's poetry was known for its celebration of the physical world and the human body, which was a revolutionary concept in his time. In "O You Whom I Often and Silently Come," the speaker is captivated by his lover's physical beauty and is enraptured by the sensory experience of being with them.

Structure

The poem consists of six stanzas, each containing four lines. The meter is irregular, with each line containing between eight and twelve syllables. The rhyme scheme is also irregular, with some stanzas having an AABB rhyme scheme, while others have an ABAB rhyme scheme.

The structure of the poem is simple, yet effective. The short stanzas and irregular meter create a sense of intimacy and urgency, as if the speaker is whispering his secrets to his lover. The short lines also create a sense of breathlessness, as if the speaker is struggling to contain his emotions.

Literary Devices

Whitman employs several literary devices in "O You Whom I Often and Silently Come" to convey his themes effectively. One of the most prominent devices is imagery. The poem is filled with sensual and erotic imagery, such as "I hear the whispers of the love of the dead," and "I inhale great draughts of space."

Whitman also employs metaphor and personification to create a sense of intimacy between the speaker and his lover. In the lines, "The heaviest woolen blanket is not too much for me, / And my tongue has not yet uttered its first syllable," the speaker is comparing his desire for his lover to the warmth and comfort of a blanket.

Another literary device used in the poem is repetition. The phrase "O you whom I often and silently come" is repeated throughout the poem, emphasizing the speaker's deep longing for his lover. The repetition creates a sense of urgency and reinforces the central theme of the poem.

Interpretation

"O You Whom I Often and Silently Come" is a beautiful and sensual poem that explores the complexities of love and desire. Whitman's use of imagery, metaphor, and repetition creates a sense of intimacy and urgency, as if the speaker is whispering his secrets to his lover.

The poem can be interpreted as a celebration of physical love and desire, as well as a yearning for a deeper level of intimacy and connection. The speaker is seeking a spiritual connection with his lover, one that goes beyond the physical realm.

At the same time, the poem challenges social and cultural norms of the time, which viewed physical desire as immoral and scandalous. Whitman was known for his celebration of the body and the senses, and "O You Whom I Often and Silently Come" is no exception.

In conclusion, "O You Whom I Often and Silently Come" is a remarkable poem that explores the complexities of love and desire. Whitman's use of imagery, metaphor, and repetition create a sense of intimacy and urgency that is both beautiful and powerful.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry O You Whom I Often And Silently Come: A Masterpiece by Walt Whitman

Walt Whitman, the father of free verse poetry, is known for his unconventional style of writing. His poem, "Poetry O You Whom I Often And Silently Come," is a masterpiece that captures the essence of his poetic philosophy. The poem is a tribute to the power of poetry and its ability to connect people across time and space. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and literary devices used in the poem.

Themes

The poem is a celebration of the power of poetry to transcend time and space. Whitman believes that poetry is a universal language that can connect people across generations and cultures. He writes, "You shall be more to me than my poem." This line suggests that the person he is addressing is more than just a subject for his poetry. They are a part of his life, and their connection goes beyond the written word.

Another theme in the poem is the idea of silence. Whitman writes, "O you whom I often and silently come." This line suggests that the speaker has a deep connection with the person he is addressing, but it is a connection that is not always expressed through words. The silence between them is just as powerful as the words they share.

Structure

The poem is written in free verse, which is typical of Whitman's style. There is no rhyme scheme or meter, which gives the poem a natural flow. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with its own distinct message.

The first stanza sets the tone for the poem. The speaker addresses the person he is writing to and tells them that they are more than just a subject for his poetry. He writes, "You shall be more to me than my poem." This line sets the stage for the rest of the poem and establishes the deep connection between the speaker and the person he is addressing.

The second stanza is more introspective. The speaker reflects on the power of poetry and its ability to connect people across time and space. He writes, "You shall be the poem of the earth." This line suggests that the person he is addressing is a part of the natural world and is connected to everything around them.

The third stanza is a call to action. The speaker urges the person he is addressing to embrace their connection to the natural world and to use poetry as a means of expressing that connection. He writes, "You shall not look through my eyes either, nor take things from me, / You shall listen to all sides and filter them from yourself." This line suggests that the person he is addressing should not rely on the speaker's perspective but should instead find their own voice and express their own unique perspective.

Literary Devices

Whitman uses several literary devices in the poem to convey his message. One of the most prominent devices is repetition. The phrase "You shall" is repeated throughout the poem, emphasizing the speaker's message and creating a sense of urgency.

Another device used in the poem is imagery. Whitman uses vivid imagery to describe the natural world and the connection between the speaker and the person he is addressing. He writes, "You shall possess the good of the earth and sun, / (there are millions of suns left)," which creates a sense of abundance and possibility.

Whitman also uses metaphor in the poem. The person he is addressing is compared to a poem, suggesting that they are a work of art that can be appreciated and admired. He writes, "You shall be the poem of the earth," which suggests that the person he is addressing is a part of the natural world and is connected to everything around them.

Conclusion

"Poetry O You Whom I Often And Silently Come" is a masterpiece by Walt Whitman that celebrates the power of poetry and its ability to connect people across time and space. The poem is a tribute to the deep connection between the speaker and the person he is addressing, and it emphasizes the importance of finding one's own voice and expressing one's unique perspective. Through the use of repetition, imagery, and metaphor, Whitman conveys his message with power and clarity. This poem is a testament to the enduring power of poetry and its ability to inspire and connect people across generations.

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