'Of The Terrible Doubt Of Apperarances' by Walt Whitman
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OF the terrible doubt of appearances,
Of the uncertainty after all--that we may be deluded,
That may-be reliance and hope are but speculations after all,
That may-be identity beyond the grave is a beautiful fable only,
May-be the things I perceive--the animals, plants, men, hills,
shining and flowing waters,
The skies of day and night--colors, densities, forms--May-be these
are, (as doubtless they are,) only apparitions, and the real
something has yet to be known;
(How often they dart out of themselves, as if to confound me and mock
me!
How often I think neither I know, nor any man knows, aught of them;)
May-be seeming to me what they are, (as doubtless they indeed but
seem,) as from my present point of view--And might prove, (as
of course they would,) naught of what they appear, or naught
any how, from entirely changed points of view;
--To me, these, and the like of these, are curiously answer'd by my
lovers, my dear friends;10
When he whom I love travels with me, or sits a long while holding me
by the hand,
When the subtle air, the impalpable, the sense that words and reason
hold not, surround us and pervade us,
Then I am charged with untold and untellable wisdom--I am silent--I
require nothing further,
I cannot answer the question of appearances, or that of identity
beyond the grave;
But I walk or sit indifferent--I am satisfied,
He ahold of my hand has completely satisfied me.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Of The Terrible Doubt Of Appearances by Walt Whitman: A Critical Analysis
Are appearances always what they seem? Walt Whitman's poem, "Of The Terrible Doubt Of Appearances," delves into this very question. In this 4000 word literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, structure, and imagery in this powerful and thought-provoking work.
Themes
At its core, "Of The Terrible Doubt Of Appearances" is a meditation on the nature of reality. Whitman grapples with the idea that our perceptions may not always align with the truth. He writes, "O me, man of slack faith so long!/ Standing aloof—denying portions so long;/ Only aware to-day of compact, all-diffused truth." In these lines, he acknowledges his own uncertainty and the possibility that he has been blindly accepting falsehoods.
Whitman also touches on the themes of mortality and the fleeting nature of life. He writes, "That shadow, my likeness,/ That goes to and fro, seeking a livelihood, chattering, chaffering;/ How often I find myself standing and looking at it where it flits;" The shadow represents the transience of life and the impermanence of human existence.
Finally, the poem is also a celebration of the power of the human mind to grapple with these difficult questions. Whitman writes, "Terrible doubt of appearances!/ O me, mine,/ life of journeies,/ How it passes and stops! how it engulfs and brings me with it!" He acknowledges the importance of grappling with these doubts and the journey of self-discovery that comes with it.
Structure
The poem consists of four stanzas, each with six lines. The lines are free verse, meaning they do not adhere to a strict meter or rhyme scheme. Instead, Whitman uses repetition and rhetorical questions to create a sense of rhythm and structure.
The repetition of the phrase "Terrible doubt of appearances!" serves as a refrain throughout the poem, emphasizing the central theme. It also creates a sense of urgency and intensity, as if Whitman is trying to convince himself (and the reader) of the importance of confronting these doubts.
The use of rhetorical questions throughout the poem also creates a sense of dialogue between the speaker and the reader. Whitman is not simply presenting his ideas, but inviting the reader to engage with them and consider their own doubts and uncertainties.
Imagery
Whitman's use of imagery in "Of The Terrible Doubt Of Appearances" is striking and evocative. He begins the poem with the image of a spider "flinging out filament, filament, filament, out of itself" and asks, "Ever unreeling them—ever tirelessly speeding them?" This image serves as a metaphor for the act of grappling with doubt and uncertainty. Like the spider, we are constantly spinning and unraveling threads of thought, trying to make sense of the world around us.
Whitman also uses vivid imagery to explore the idea of appearance versus reality. He writes, "Are those billions of men really alive?/ …or are they all in dreams,/ The size of thesesickly, wavering, monstrous-insect batches?" Here, he is questioning the reality of the world around him, wondering if what he sees is truly what exists.
Finally, the image of the shadow serves as a powerful symbol for the transience of life. Whitman writes, "That shadow, my likeness,/ That goes to and fro, seeking a livelihood, chattering, chaffering;/ How often I find myself standing and looking at it where it flits;" The shadow represents the fleeting nature of life, and the fact that we are all just passing through this world.
Interpretation
The overarching theme of "Of The Terrible Doubt Of Appearances" is the tension between appearance and reality. Whitman is grappling with the idea that what we see and perceive may not always align with the truth. He acknowledges his own uncertainty and the possibility that he has been blindly accepting falsehoods.
At the same time, Whitman is celebrating the power of the human mind to confront these doubts and engage in the journey of self-discovery that comes with it. He is not simply presenting a bleak and nihilistic view of the world, but acknowledging the difficulties of grappling with these questions while also celebrating the process of doing so.
Ultimately, "Of The Terrible Doubt Of Appearances" is a powerful meditation on the nature of reality and the human experience. It is a reminder that appearances can be deceiving, but that through introspection and self-reflection, we can come to a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Of The Terrible Doubt Of Appearances: A Masterpiece by Walt Whitman
Walt Whitman, the father of free verse, is known for his unconventional style of poetry that challenged the norms of his time. His works were often criticized for being too radical and unconventional, but he continued to write fearlessly, paving the way for modern poetry. One of his most famous poems, "Poetry Of The Terrible Doubt Of Appearances," is a masterpiece that captures the essence of his style and philosophy.
The poem is a reflection on the nature of reality and the human experience of it. Whitman begins by acknowledging the beauty of the world around us, but quickly moves on to question its authenticity. He writes, "Of the terrible doubt of appearances, / Of the uncertainty after all, that we may be deluded, / That may-be reliance and hope are but speculations after all, / That may-be identity beyond the grave is a beautiful fable only."
These lines express a deep sense of doubt and uncertainty that Whitman feels about the world. He questions whether what we see and experience is real or just an illusion. He wonders if our hopes and beliefs are nothing but wishful thinking, and if the idea of an afterlife is just a comforting myth. This doubt is "terrible" because it shakes the very foundation of our existence and leaves us feeling lost and confused.
Whitman then goes on to explore the idea of death and what it means for our identity. He writes, "May-be the things I perceive, the animals, plants, men, hills, shining and flowing waters, / The skies of day and night, colors, densities, forms, may-be these are (as doubtless they are) only apparitions." Here, he suggests that everything we perceive may be nothing but illusions, and that our sense of self and identity may be just as fleeting.
This idea is further explored in the next stanza, where Whitman writes, "May-be the real is only a dream that we invent and believe, / And the unseen is the only reality." He suggests that what we see and experience may not be the true reality, and that there may be a deeper, unseen reality that we are not aware of. This idea is reminiscent of the philosophy of Plato, who believed that the material world was just a shadow of the true reality that exists beyond it.
Whitman's exploration of these deep philosophical questions is what makes this poem so powerful. He doesn't offer any easy answers or solutions, but instead invites the reader to join him in his quest for understanding. He writes, "O me, man of slack faith so long! / Standing aloof, denying portions so long, / Only aware to-day of compact, all-diffused truth, / Discovering to-day there is no lie or form of lie, and can be none, but grows as inevitably upon itself as the truth does upon itself."
These lines suggest that Whitman has come to a realization that there is no easy answer to the questions he is asking. He acknowledges that he has been "standing aloof" and denying certain aspects of reality, but has now come to a place of acceptance. He realizes that the truth is not something that can be easily defined or understood, but is something that grows and evolves over time.
In the final stanza, Whitman offers a glimmer of hope amidst the uncertainty. He writes, "In the faces of men and women I see God, and in my own face in the glass, / I find letters from God dropt in the street, and every one is sign'd by God's name, / And I leave them where they are, for I know that wheresoe'er I go, / Others will punctually come for ever and ever."
These lines suggest that despite the doubt and uncertainty that Whitman feels, he still finds a sense of meaning and purpose in the world. He sees God in the faces of others and in himself, and finds comfort in the idea that there is a higher power guiding us. He also acknowledges that his own search for truth and understanding is not unique, and that others will continue to seek answers long after he is gone.
In conclusion, "Poetry Of The Terrible Doubt Of Appearances" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores some of the deepest questions of human existence. Whitman's use of free verse and unconventional style adds to the poem's impact, as it reflects the uncertainty and chaos of the world he is describing. Despite the doubt and uncertainty that he feels, Whitman ultimately finds a sense of hope and purpose in the world, reminding us that even in the face of the unknown, there is still beauty and meaning to be found.
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