'From My Last Years' by Walt Whitman
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FROM my last years, last thoughts I here bequeath,
Scatter'd and dropt, in seeds, and wafted to the West,
Through moisture of Ohio, prairie soil of Illinois--through Colorado,
California air,
For Time to germinate fully.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Poetry, From My Last Years: A Masterpiece by Walt Whitman
Introduction
Walt Whitman is an American poet, essayist, and journalist who is considered to be one of the most influential and innovative poets of his time. His collection of poems, 'Poetry, From My Last Years' is a masterpiece that captures the essence of his late years. It is a collection of 23 poems that are reflective, philosophical, and powerful in their expression. In this literary criticism, we will analyze and interpret the themes, style, and language of this collection to understand the depth of Whitman's poetry.
Themes
The themes of 'Poetry, From My Last Years' are varied and complex. Whitman deals with subjects like death, aging, nostalgia, spirituality, and love. The overarching theme that runs throughout the collection is the inevitability of death and the acceptance of it. Whitman talks about how death is a natural part of life and how we must embrace it to truly live.
In the poem 'As I Ebb'd with the Ocean of Life', Whitman describes his acceptance of death and compares it to the ebbing of the tide. He says, "As I ebb'd with the ocean of life,/As I wended the shores I know,/As I walk'd where the ripples continually wash you Paumanok." Here, he is talking about how his life is slowly ebbing away, just like the tide. Paumanok is a Native American name for Long Island, which was where Whitman lived for most of his life. He is saying that he is walking along the shores that he knows so well, and he is accepting the inevitability of his own death.
Another theme that runs through the collection is the idea of nostalgia. Whitman talks about how he remembers the past and how he longs for it. In the poem 'The Return of the Heroes', he talks about how he remembers the heroes of the past and how he longs for their return. He says, "But I shall sing of what is grandest and best,/Believe me, it is not the felons, nor the forgeries nor./And he who has the highest and truest relation to them, he shall be the poet of the heroes of old." Here, he is saying that he wants to remember the heroes of the past and celebrate their greatness.
Love is also a theme that runs through the collection. Whitman talks about how love is an essential part of life and how it makes life worth living. In the poem 'A Thought of Columbus', he talks about how love is the driving force behind all great accomplishments. He says, "I too will something yet,/A thought of Columbus' - it is the hour of trial,/They nod to me, and I nod to them,/And the sea, and the sands, and the cliffs, will heed them." Here, he is saying that love is what drives him to accomplish great things, just as Columbus was driven by his love of exploration.
Style
Whitman's style in 'Poetry, From My Last Years' is characterized by free verse and unconventional syntax. He does not follow traditional meter or rhyme schemes, and he uses enjambment to create a flowing, natural rhythm. His poems are often long and meandering, with no clear structure or form.
Whitman's language is also unconventional. He uses everyday language and colloquialisms, rather than elevated or poetic language. This makes his poems more accessible and relatable to the reader. He also uses repetition and anaphora to create a sense of rhythm and emphasis. In the poem 'The Return of the Heroes', he repeats the phrase "The heroes are all dead" several times, creating a sense of finality and loss.
Whitman also uses imagery to create vivid and powerful descriptions. In the poem 'As I Ebb'd with the Ocean of Life', he uses imagery of the sea to describe the ebbing away of life. He says, "As the ocean so mysterious rolls toward me closer and closer,/I too but signify at the utmost a little wash'd-up drift." Here, he is comparing himself to a little driftwood that is being washed up on the shore by the tide.
Interpretation
'Poetry, From My Last Years' is a deeply philosophical and reflective collection of poems that captures the essence of Whitman's late years. It is a collection that deals with the inevitability of death, the nostalgia for the past, and the importance of love.
One interpretation of this collection is that it is a reflection of Whitman's own mortality. As he grew older, he became more aware of his own mortality and began to reflect on the meaning of life and death. He accepted his own mortality and used his poetry to explore these themes.
Another interpretation is that this collection is a celebration of life. Whitman talks about how important it is to live life to the fullest and to embrace death as a natural part of life. He celebrates the heroes of the past and the great accomplishments that love can inspire.
Overall, 'Poetry, From My Last Years' is a masterpiece of American poetry that captures the essence of Whitman's late years. It is a collection that is reflective, philosophical, and powerful in its expression. Whitman's use of free verse, unconventional syntax, and vivid imagery create a sense of naturalness and accessibility that make his poetry timeless. His themes of death, aging, nostalgia, spirituality, and love are universal and resonate with readers of all ages.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry From My Last Years: A Masterpiece by Walt Whitman
Walt Whitman, one of the most celebrated poets of the 19th century, is known for his unique style of poetry that broke away from the traditional forms of his time. His collection of poems, "Poetry From My Last Years," is a masterpiece that showcases his mature and reflective voice.
The collection was published in 1891, just a few years before Whitman's death. It contains some of his most profound and introspective poems, which reflect on his life, his experiences, and his philosophy. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, style, and significance of this remarkable collection.
Themes
The themes of "Poetry From My Last Years" are diverse and complex, reflecting the depth and breadth of Whitman's life and work. One of the most prominent themes is mortality, as Whitman reflects on his own impending death and the passing of time. In the poem "As I Lay with My Head in Your Lap, Camerado," he writes:
"As I lay with my head in your lap, Camerado, The confession I made I resume—what I said to you in the open air I resume: I know I am restless, and make others so; I know my words are weapons, full of danger, full of death;"
Here, Whitman acknowledges his own restlessness and the power of his words, which can be both dangerous and deadly. He also expresses his desire to connect with others and to share his thoughts and feelings openly.
Another prominent theme in the collection is nature, which Whitman celebrates as a source of beauty and inspiration. In the poem "The Prairie States," he writes:
"O vast Rondure, swimming in space, Covered all over with visible power and beauty, Alternate light and day and the teeming spiritual darkness; Unspeakable high processions of sun and moon and countless stars above; Below, the manifold grass and waters, animals, mountains, trees;"
Here, Whitman marvels at the beauty and complexity of the natural world, which he sees as a reflection of the divine. He also celebrates the diversity of life on earth, from the grass and waters to the animals, mountains, and trees.
Style
Whitman's style in "Poetry From My Last Years" is characterized by his use of free verse, which breaks away from the traditional forms of poetry that were popular in his time. He also uses repetition, parallelism, and anaphora to create a sense of rhythm and musicality in his poems.
One of the most striking features of Whitman's style is his use of lists and catalogs, which he uses to create a sense of abundance and diversity. In the poem "A Noiseless Patient Spider," he writes:
"A noiseless patient spider, I mark'd where on a little promontory it stood isolated, Mark'd how to explore the vacant vast surrounding, It launch'd forth filament, filament, filament, out of itself, Ever unreeling them, ever tirelessly speeding them."
Here, Whitman uses the repetition of "filament" to create a sense of the spider's tireless activity, as it spins its web and explores its surroundings. He also uses the image of the spider to symbolize his own creative process, as he launches forth his own words and ideas into the world.
Significance
"Poetry From My Last Years" is significant not only for its literary value but also for its cultural and historical significance. Whitman's poetry was groundbreaking in its time, as it challenged the traditional forms and conventions of poetry and celebrated the diversity and complexity of human experience.
Whitman's poetry also had a profound impact on American culture and identity, as he celebrated the democratic ideals of equality, freedom, and individualism. In the poem "I Hear America Singing," he writes:
"I hear America singing, the varied carols I hear, Those of mechanics, each one singing his as it should be blithe and strong, The carpenter singing his as he measures his plank or beam, The mason singing his as he makes ready for work, or leaves off work,"
Here, Whitman celebrates the diversity of American society and the contributions of ordinary people, from mechanics and carpenters to masons and farmers. He also celebrates the idea of work as a source of pride and dignity, which is central to the American ethos.
Conclusion
"Poetry From My Last Years" is a masterpiece of American poetry, which showcases the depth and breadth of Whitman's life and work. Through his unique style and profound themes, Whitman celebrates the beauty and complexity of human experience, the power of nature, and the democratic ideals of American society. His poetry continues to inspire and challenge readers today, as we grapple with the same questions of mortality, identity, and meaning that he explored in his work.
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