'There Was A Child Went Forth' by Walt Whitman


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THERE was a child went forth every day;
And the first object he look'd upon, that object he became;
And that object became part of him for the day, or a certain part of
the day, or for many years, or stretching cycles of years.

The early lilacs became part of this child,
And grass, and white and red morning-glories, and white and red
clover, and the song of the phoebe-bird,
And the Third-month lambs, and the sow's pink-faint litter, and the
mare's foal, and the cow's calf,
And the noisy brood of the barn-yard, or by the mire of the pond-
side,
And the fish suspending themselves so curiously below there--and the
beautiful curious liquid,
And the water-plants with their graceful flat heads--all became part
of him.

The field-sprouts of Fourth-month and Fifth-month became part of
him;10
Winter-grain sprouts, and those of the light-yellow corn, and the
esculent roots of the garden,
And the apple-trees cover'd with blossoms, and the fruit afterward,
and wood-berries, and the commonest weeds by the road;
And the old drunkard staggering home from the out-house of the
tavern, whence he had lately risen,
And the school-mistress that pass'd on her way to the school,
And the friendly boys that pass'd--and the quarrelsome boys,
And the tidy and fresh-cheek'd girls--and the barefoot negro boy and
girl,
And all the changes of city and country, wherever he went.

His own parents,
He that had father'd him, and she that had conceiv'd him in her womb,
and birth'd him,
They gave this child more of themselves than that;20
They gave him afterward every day--they became part of him.

The mother at home, quietly placing the dishes on the supper-table;
The mother with mild words--clean her cap and gown, a wholesome odor
falling off her person and clothes as she walks by;
The father, strong, self-sufficient, manly, mean, anger'd, unjust;
The blow, the quick loud word, the tight bargain, the crafty lure,
The family usages, the language, the company, the furniture--the
yearning and swelling heart,
Affection that will not be gainsay'd--the sense of what is real--the
thought if, after all, it should prove unreal,
The doubts of day-time and the doubts of night-time--the curious
whether and how,
Whether that which appears so is so, or is it all flashes and specks?
Men and women crowding fast in the streets--if they are not flashes
and specks, what are they?30
The streets themselves, and the façades of houses, and goods in the
windows,
Vehicles, teams, the heavy-plank'd wharves--the huge crossing at the
ferries,
The village on the highland, seen from afar at sunset--the river
between,
Shadows, aureola and mist, the light falling on roofs and gables of
white or brown, three miles off,
The schooner near by, sleepily dropping down the tide--the little
boat slack-tow'd astern,
The hurrying tumbling waves, quick-broken crests, slapping,
The strata of color'd clouds, the long bar of maroon-tint, away
solitary by itself--the spread of purity it lies motionless in,
The horizon's edge, the flying sea-crow, the fragrance of salt marsh
and shore mud;
These became part of that child who went forth every day, and who now
goes, and will always go forth every day.

Editor 1 Interpretation

There Was A Child Went Forth by Walt Whitman: A Deep Dive into a Simple Poem

Prepare to be taken on a journey through the mind of Walt Whitman as we explore his classic poem, There Was A Child Went Forth. In just 16 short lines, Whitman manages to capture the essence of childhood innocence and the transformative power of experience. This poem is a testament to the power of simplicity and the beauty of everyday life. So, let's dive in and see what we can uncover.

The Poem

First, let's take a look at the poem itself:

There was a child went forth every day,
And the first object he looked upon and received with wonder or pity or love or dread, that object he became,
And that object became part of him for the day or a certain part of the day,
Or for many years or stretching cycles of years.

At first glance, this poem seems deceptively simple. It tells the story of a child who goes out into the world every day and has an experience that shapes them in some way. However, as we will see, there is much more to this poem than meets the eye.

Childhood Innocence

The first thing that stands out about this poem is its focus on childhood innocence. The child in the poem is depicted as pure and open to the world around them. They are not jaded or cynical, but rather full of wonder and curiosity. This is evidenced by the fact that the first object they encounter each day is received with wonder, pity, love, or dread. This child is not afraid to feel deeply and is not yet burdened by the weight of the world.

Transformation

The second major theme of this poem is transformation. The child is not a static figure, but rather is constantly changing and growing based on their experiences. Each object they encounter becomes a part of them, shaping them in some way. This idea is encapsulated in the line, "And that object became part of him for the day or a certain part of the day, Or for many years or stretching cycles of years."

This concept of transformation is central to Whitman's philosophy of life. He believed that we are all constantly changing and growing, and that our experiences shape us in profound ways. This poem is a celebration of that idea, and a reminder that we should always be open to new experiences and the transformative power they hold.

Whitman's Writing Style

While the themes of this poem are certainly important, it is also worth taking a moment to appreciate Whitman's writing style. He was known for his free verse poetry and his use of unconventional language and syntax. This style is on full display in There Was A Child Went Forth. The poem is written in simple language, but the use of repetition and parallel structure gives it a musical quality.

Whitman also uses a unique form of punctuation in this poem. The lack of commas and periods gives the poem a sense of flow and continuity. It is as if the words are pouring out of Whitman's mind without any interruption. This style of writing is emblematic of Whitman's larger worldview, which emphasizes the interconnectedness of all things.

Conclusion

In conclusion, There Was A Child Went Forth is a deceptively simple poem that contains a wealth of meaning. It celebrates childhood innocence and the transformative power of experience. It is also a testament to Whitman's unique writing style, which emphasizes the interconnectedness of all things. This poem is a reminder to all of us to stay open to new experiences and to embrace the changes and transformations that come with them.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

There Was A Child Went Forth is a classic poem written by Walt Whitman, one of the most celebrated poets in American literature. This poem is a beautiful and insightful exploration of the innocence and curiosity of childhood, and the way in which it shapes our understanding of the world around us. In this analysis, we will delve into the themes, imagery, and language used in the poem to understand its deeper meaning.

The poem begins with the line, "There was a child went forth every day," immediately setting the scene for a story about a child's daily routine. However, as the poem progresses, we begin to see that this is not just a simple story about a child's day-to-day life. Instead, it is a reflection on the way in which childhood experiences shape our understanding of the world.

The first stanza of the poem describes the child's daily routine, which includes exploring the natural world around them. The child observes the "soft-falling shower," the "fields of clover and wheat," and the "tall-growing sunflowers." This imagery creates a sense of wonder and beauty, as the child is surrounded by the natural world and all its splendor. The child is also described as "watching, wondering at it all," which shows their curiosity and desire to learn more about the world around them.

In the second stanza, the poem takes a darker turn as the child encounters the "sights of the city" and the "crowds of men and women." The child sees "ships at sea, the sailors at their work," and "the varied carriages, the horsemen in their saddle." This imagery creates a sense of chaos and confusion, as the child is confronted with the hustle and bustle of city life. However, the child is not afraid or intimidated by these new experiences. Instead, they are "delighted and pleased" by what they see, showing their openness to new experiences and their willingness to learn.

The third stanza of the poem describes the child's interactions with other people. The child "went forth to learn, and to teach others," showing their desire to share their knowledge and experiences with others. The child is described as "friendly and pleased," which shows their kind and generous nature. This stanza also contains the famous line, "The mother of old, condemn'd for a witch, burnt with dry wood, her children gazing on," which is a reference to the Salem witch trials. This line shows the darker side of human nature and the way in which fear and ignorance can lead to violence and injustice.

The fourth stanza of the poem describes the child's imagination and creativity. The child "saw ghosts and goblins," and "played with the clowns in the ring." This imagery creates a sense of playfulness and whimsy, as the child uses their imagination to create new worlds and experiences. The child is also described as "fearless and unafraid," showing their courage and willingness to explore new ideas and experiences.

The final stanza of the poem brings everything together, as the child reflects on their experiences and how they have shaped their understanding of the world. The child realizes that "all the things that he saw and heard were not his own," but were instead a part of the larger world around him. The child also realizes that "the world is not a conclusion," but is instead a never-ending journey of discovery and exploration.

Overall, There Was A Child Went Forth is a beautiful and insightful poem that explores the innocence and curiosity of childhood, and the way in which it shapes our understanding of the world. The poem uses vivid imagery and language to create a sense of wonder and beauty, while also exploring the darker side of human nature. Through the child's experiences, we see the importance of curiosity, openness, and imagination in shaping our understanding of the world around us. This poem is a timeless classic that continues to resonate with readers today, and is a testament to Walt Whitman's skill as a poet and his ability to capture the essence of the human experience.

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