'City Of Ships' by Walt Whitman
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CITY of ships!
(O the black ships! O the fierce ships!
O the beautiful, sharp-bow'd steam-ships and sail-ships!)
City of the world! (for all races are here;
All the lands of the earth make contributions here;)
City of the sea! city of hurried and glittering tides!
City whose gleeful tides continually rush or recede, whirling in and
out, with eddies and foam!
City of wharves and stores! city of tall façades of marble and iron!
Proud and passionate city! mettlesome, mad, extravagant city!
Spring up, O city! not for peace alone, but be indeed yourself,
warlike!10
Fear not! submit to no models but your own, O city!
Behold me! incarnate me, as I have incarnated you!
I have rejected nothing you offer'd me--whom you adopted, I have
adopted;
Good or bad, I never question you--I love all--I do not condemn
anything;
I chant and celebrate all that is yours--yet peace no more;
In peace I chanted peace, but now the drum of war is mine;
War, red war, is my song through your streets, O city!
Editor 1 Interpretation
City of Ships: A Masterpiece of Walt Whitman
Introduction
Poetry is a medium of expressing oneself in a unique way that includes different styles, themes, tones, and techniques. Walt Whitman was one of the most celebrated poets of his time, known for his free verse style and unconventional themes. He was a pioneer in American literature, who broke the traditional norms and gave voice to the city and its inhabitants. One of his remarkable works is 'City of Ships,' a poem published in the 1860 edition of 'Leaves of Grass.' In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the poem's themes, style, and structure to understand its significance in American literature.
Themes
The poem 'City of Ships' is a celebration of the industrial city of Brooklyn, New York, which was a hub of shipbuilding and maritime trade in the mid-19th century. The poem is an ode to the city, its people, and their way of life. The poem explores various themes such as industrialization, progress, globalization, and the human experience.
One of the significant themes of the poem is industrialization. Whitman portrays the industrial city as a place of activity and production, where ships are built, loaded, and sailed away. The city is depicted as a place of progress, where technological advancements are celebrated. The poem celebrates the rise of the industrial society, which is symbolized by the ships that sail out to different parts of the world.
Another theme explored in the poem is globalization. The ships that sail out from the city carry goods and people to different parts of the world. The poem celebrates the city's role in connecting people from different parts of the world and enabling trade and commerce.
However, amidst the celebration of progress and globalization, the poem also explores the human experience. Whitman portrays the workers who build and load the ships as ordinary people, who toil hard to make a living. The poem celebrates the human spirit of perseverance and hard work, which is essential to make progress possible.
Style
Whitman's style in 'City of Ships' is free verse, which is a hallmark of his poetry. Free verse is poetry that lacks a fixed structure, such as rhyme or meter. Whitman's style is characterized by long and flowing lines, which mimic the movement of the ships and the activity of the city. The lack of a fixed structure gives the poem a sense of freedom, which is in contrast to the rigid structures of industrialization.
Whitman's style is also characterized by repetition and the use of catalogs. The poem contains a catalog of ships, which emphasizes the diversity of the ships and the goods that they carry. The repetition of the phrase 'city of ships' throughout the poem emphasizes the central theme of the poem and gives it a sense of unity.
Another notable aspect of Whitman's style is his use of imagery. The poem is rich in imagery, which brings the city and its inhabitants to life. The images of the ships, the workers, and the sea create a vivid and dynamic picture of the city and its people. The imagery also serves to reinforce the themes of the poem, such as industrialization and globalization.
Structure
The poem 'City of Ships' is divided into three parts, each with a different focus. The first part introduces the city and its ships, and celebrates the diversity of the ships and their destinations. The second part focuses on the workers who build and load the ships, portraying them as ordinary people who work hard to make a living. The third part returns to the ships, which sail away from the city and connect people from different parts of the world.
The structure of the poem serves to reinforce the themes of the poem. The first part celebrates the progress of industrialization and globalization, while the second part humanizes the workers who make progress possible. The third part brings the poem full circle, returning to the ships that symbolize the connection between people and nations.
Interpretation
'City of Ships' is a celebration of the industrial city and the people who make progress possible. The poem celebrates the rise of industrialization and globalization, while also acknowledging the human experience of the workers who build and load the ships. Whitman's style, characterized by free verse, repetition, and imagery, creates a dynamic and vivid picture of the city and its people.
The poem can also be interpreted as a critique of industrialization and globalization. While celebrating the progress that these phenomena bring, the poem also acknowledges the toll that they take on the workers who make progress possible. The workers are portrayed as ordinary people who toil hard to make a living, and their humanity is emphasized through the use of imagery.
In conclusion, 'City of Ships' is a masterpiece of American literature that celebrates the rise of industrialization and globalization, while also acknowledging the human experience of the workers who make progress possible. Whitman's style, characterized by free verse, repetition, and imagery, creates a dynamic and vivid picture of the city and its people. The poem is a testament to Whitman's skill as a poet and his contribution to American literature.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry City of Ships: A Masterpiece by Walt Whitman
Walt Whitman, the father of free verse, is known for his unconventional style of poetry that broke away from the traditional forms of the time. His works are characterized by their raw emotion, vivid imagery, and a celebration of the human spirit. One of his most famous poems, "Poetry City of Ships," is a perfect example of his unique style and vision.
"Poetry City of Ships" was first published in 1860 in the third edition of Whitman's collection of poems, "Leaves of Grass." The poem is a tribute to the bustling port city of Brooklyn, New York, where Whitman lived and worked for many years. The poem is divided into three sections, each exploring a different aspect of the city.
The first section of the poem is a description of the city's harbor, with its "myriad masts and spars." Whitman paints a vivid picture of the ships coming and going, the sailors shouting and singing, and the constant movement of the water. He describes the harbor as a "world of joy" and a "city of ships," where people from all over the world come to trade and exchange ideas.
The second section of the poem is a celebration of the city's diversity. Whitman describes the people of Brooklyn as a "multitude of races" and a "city of varied nations." He celebrates the fact that people from all over the world have come to Brooklyn to make a new life for themselves, and that they have brought their own cultures and traditions with them. He sees this diversity as a strength, a source of inspiration and creativity.
The third and final section of the poem is a call to action. Whitman urges the people of Brooklyn to embrace their city and to work together to make it even better. He calls on them to "build, build, build" and to create a city that is worthy of its name. He sees the city as a symbol of hope and progress, a place where anything is possible if people work together.
One of the most striking things about "Poetry City of Ships" is its use of language. Whitman's free verse style allows him to break away from the constraints of traditional poetry and to create a language that is uniquely his own. His use of repetition, alliteration, and imagery creates a sense of rhythm and flow that is both powerful and beautiful.
For example, in the first section of the poem, Whitman uses repetition to create a sense of movement and energy:
"O the joy of my spirit—it is uncaged—it darts like lightning! It is not enough to have this globe or a certain time, I will have thousands of globes and all time."
In the second section of the poem, he uses alliteration to create a sense of diversity and richness:
"O great city, Metropolis of the West! Varied, fathomless, Lap of heroes, High surrounding full-dazzling."
And in the third section of the poem, he uses imagery to create a sense of hope and possibility:
"O we can wait no longer, We too take ship, O soul, Joyous we too launch out on trackless seas, Fearless for unknown shores on waves of ecstasy to sail."
Whitman's use of language is not just beautiful, it is also deeply meaningful. His celebration of diversity, his call to action, and his vision of a better world are all expressed through his use of language. He sees language as a tool for change, a way to inspire people and to bring about a better future.
In conclusion, "Poetry City of Ships" is a masterpiece of American poetry. It celebrates the diversity and energy of a great city, and it calls on people to work together to create a better world. Whitman's use of language is both powerful and beautiful, and it captures the spirit of his time and place. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry to inspire, to move, and to change the world.
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