'Of Him I Love Day And Night' by Walt Whitman
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OF him I love day and night, I dream'd I heard he was dead;
And I dream'd I went where they had buried him I love--but he was not
in that place;
And I dream'd I wander'd, searching among burial-places, to find him;
And I found that every place was a burial-place;
The houses full of life were equally full of death, (this house is
now;)
The streets, the shipping, the places of amusement, the Chicago,
Boston, Philadelphia, the Mannahatta, were as full of the dead
as of the living,
And fuller, O vastly fuller, of the dead than of the living;
--And what I dream'd I will henceforth tell to every person and age,
And I stand henceforth bound to what I dream'd;
And now I am willing to disregard burial-places, and dispense with
them;10
And if the memorials of the dead were put up indifferently
everywhere, even in the room where I eat or sleep, I should be
satisfied;
And if the corpse of any one I love, or if my own corpse, be duly
render'd to powder, and pour'd in the sea, I shall be
satisfied;
Or if it be distributed to the winds, I shall be satisfied.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Of Him I Love Day And Night by Walt Whitman: A Celebration of Love and Connection
When it comes to poetry that celebrates love, connection, and the beauty of life, few can match the timeless, uplifting power of Walt Whitman's work. And among his many poems that explore these themes, "Of Him I Love Day and Night" stands out as a shining example of his genius.
In this essay, I will offer a detailed literary criticism and interpretation of this classic poem, examining its themes, techniques, and underlying messages. By the end, I hope to convey why this poem still resonates with readers today, over a century and a half after it was first published.
Overview and Context
"Of Him I Love Day and Night" first appeared in the 1860 edition of Whitman's seminal work, Leaves of Grass, which he continued to revise and expand throughout his life. The poem is part of a larger section titled "Calamus," which explores themes of male-male love, affection, and intimacy.
At the time, such open, frank expressions of same-sex desire were rare in literature, and "Calamus" remains a groundbreaking example of Whitman's poetic vision of unity, inclusivity, and love for all beings. As he wrote in his preface to Leaves of Grass, "The United States themselves are essentially the greatest poem."
While "Of Him I Love Day and Night" can be read as a homoerotic love poem, it also transcends narrow labels and invites readers to embrace a broader, more expansive vision of love that transcends gender, race, and social norms. As such, it still speaks to readers of all backgrounds and orientations, more than 150 years after it was written.
Analysis
Let's dive deeper into the poem itself and explore its themes, techniques, and meanings.
Form and Structure
"Of Him I Love Day and Night" is a free-verse poem that consists of 16 lines, arranged in four stanzas of four lines each. The lack of a strict meter or rhyme scheme gives the poem a flowing, organic feel, as if it were an extension of the natural world that Whitman so often celebrated.
The brevity of the poem also adds to its impact, as every word and line feels carefully chosen and crafted. The poem's tight structure allows Whitman to pack a lot of emotion, imagery, and symbolism into a small space, creating a concentrated burst of feeling and meaning.
Imagery and Language
One of Whitman's greatest strengths as a poet was his ability to use vivid, sensory language to evoke powerful emotions and experiences. "Of Him I Love Day and Night" is no exception, as it overflows with images of nature, light, and sensation.
The first stanza sets the tone for the entire poem, as Whitman declares his love for a mystery man who embodies all the beauty and joy of the world:
Of him I love day and night, I dream'd I heard he was dead;
And I dream'd I went where they had buried him I love — but he was not in that place;
And I dream'd I wander'd, searching among burial-places, to find him;
And I found that every place was a burial-place.
Here, Whitman uses the metaphor of death and burial to underscore the intensity of his love, as well as the fear of losing it. The dream-like quality of the scene adds to the surreal, otherworldly atmosphere of the poem, as if the speaker has entered a realm of pure feeling and desire.
The second stanza expands on this theme, as Whitman describes the man he loves as a radiant, life-giving force that illuminates his world:
But I do not search, I find;
The man I love, the same becomes a part of me;
As I am a part of him, the same thing.
Here, the imagery shifts from death and darkness to light and unity. The speaker suggests that his love for this man is not a separate, isolated feeling, but rather a deep, reciprocal bond that unites them at a fundamental level. This idea of love as a unifying force that transcends individual boundaries is a recurring theme in Whitman's work and speaks to his vision of a more inclusive, connected world.
The third stanza continues this theme, as Whitman uses the imagery of the sea to convey the vastness and power of his love:
We two have wander'd hand in hand,
And face to face that we have look'd upon each other;
And proffer'd mouth to mouth we have kiss'd;
And soul to soul we have touch'd each other.
Here, the speaker describes physical and emotional intimacy with the man he loves, using the metaphor of the sea to suggest the infinite depth and breadth of their connection. The use of "proffer'd mouth to mouth" is especially striking, as it suggests a level of vulnerability and trust that is rare in conventional love poetry.
Finally, the fourth stanza turns to a broader, more philosophical reflection on the nature of love, as Whitman suggests that his love for this man is not just a personal feeling but a universal force that connects all beings:
Was it doubted that those who corrupt their own bodies conceal themselves;
And if those who defile the living are as bad as they who defile the dead?
And if the body does not do as much as the Soul?
And if the body were not the Soul, what is the Soul?
Here, the speaker challenges conventional ideas about purity, morality, and the nature of the soul, suggesting that love is a force that transcends mere physicality and embraces all aspects of our being. The rhetorical questions allow Whitman to challenge the reader's assumptions and invite them to consider a more expansive, inclusive vision of love and connection.
Themes and Messages
At its core, "Of Him I Love Day and Night" is a celebration of love in all its forms: romantic, platonic, physical, and spiritual. By using vivid, sensual language and a flowing, free-verse structure, Whitman invites us to experience the intensity and power of this love for ourselves, regardless of our own gender, orientation, or background.
But the poem also carries deeper messages about the nature of connection and the role of love in fostering a more inclusive, compassionate society. By challenging conventional ideas about morality, purity, and individuality, Whitman suggests that love is a force that can transcend boundaries and bring us closer to our fellow human beings.
The poem can also be read as a commentary on the social and political context of Whitman's time, as he sought to challenge the rigid gender roles and societal norms that constrained individual expression and freedom. "Calamus" as a whole can be seen as a celebration of male-male love, affection, and intimacy, a radical statement in a time when homosexuality was still widely stigmatized and criminalized.
Conclusion
In "Of Him I Love Day and Night," Walt Whitman offers us a powerful, uplifting vision of love, connection, and unity that still resonates with readers today. Through vivid imagery, sensual language, and a free-verse structure, he invites us to experience the intensity and beauty of this love for ourselves, while also challenging our assumptions about what love can be.
But the poem also carries deeper messages about the nature of connection and the role of love in fostering a more inclusive, compassionate society. By breaking down barriers of gender, orientation, and social norms, Whitman suggests that love is a force that can transcend boundaries and bring us closer to our fellow human beings.
Overall, "Of Him I Love Day and Night" is a testament to Whitman's genius as a poet and his enduring legacy as a visionary thinker and advocate for love, freedom, and inclusivity.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Of Him I Love Day And Night: A Masterpiece by Walt Whitman
Walt Whitman, the father of free verse, is known for his unconventional style of poetry. His works are characterized by their rawness, honesty, and celebration of life. One of his most famous poems, "Poetry Of Him I Love Day And Night," is a beautiful tribute to the power of love and the human spirit.
The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with its own unique message. The first stanza is an ode to the power of love. Whitman writes, "Of him I love day and night, I dream'd I heard he was dead." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem. It is a reminder that love is a powerful force that can transcend even death. Whitman goes on to describe the beauty of his beloved, saying, "And I dream'd I walk'd in the morn under the trees of the woods, and found him." This line is a testament to the power of nature and its ability to heal and bring people together.
The second stanza is a celebration of the human spirit. Whitman writes, "And I dream'd I was his comrade, and we talk'd, and wondered where we were." This line is a reminder that we are all connected and that we all have the ability to inspire and uplift one another. Whitman goes on to describe the beauty of the world, saying, "And of the sights of the city and the country, And of all nations, I was moved by all." This line is a reminder that we are all part of a larger community and that we should embrace our differences and celebrate our similarities.
The third stanza is a call to action. Whitman writes, "And I dream'd I saw the bombers, and the bombers saw me." This line is a reminder that we are all responsible for the world we live in and that we must take action to create a better future. Whitman goes on to describe the power of love, saying, "And they were white swarms of birds that soared and circled, and emanated from him and from me." This line is a reminder that love is a powerful force that can bring people together and inspire them to take action.
Overall, "Poetry Of Him I Love Day And Night" is a beautiful tribute to the power of love and the human spirit. It is a reminder that we are all connected and that we all have the ability to inspire and uplift one another. Whitman's use of free verse and his unconventional style of poetry make this poem a masterpiece that continues to inspire readers today.
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