'What Weeping Face' by Walt Whitman

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WHAT weeping face is that looking from the window?
Why does it stream those sorrowful tears?
Is it for some burial place, vast and dry?
Is it to wet the soil of graves?

Editor 1 Interpretation

What Weeping Face: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Oh, dear reader, have you ever read a poem that made you feel like someone had taken a brush and painted a picture of sorrow, love, and hope in your mind? Well, that's what Walt Whitman's "What Weeping Face" does to me, and I'm sure it does the same to many other readers.

But before we dive deep into the poem, let's have a quick introduction to the poet himself.

Walt Whitman: The Poet

Walt Whitman was an American poet, essayist, and journalist, born on May 31, 1819, in West Hills, New York. He's considered one of the most significant poets in American literature and was often called the "father of free verse." Whitman's work was unconventional for his time, and he faced criticism and controversy for his bold and frank depiction of human sexuality and his unconventional use of language.

Whitman's poetry was rooted in transcendentalism, a philosophical and literary movement that emphasized the divinity of nature and the individual's innate goodness. His poems focused on the beauty of nature, the human body, and the human soul's interconnectedness with nature and the universe.

Now, let's move on to the poem itself.

What Weeping Face: The Poem

The poem "What Weeping Face" is a short lyrical poem that was published in the 1860 edition of Leaves of Grass. It's a poem that reflects on the human experience of love, loss, and grief.

Here's the full text of the poem:

What weeping face is that looking from the window?    
Why does it stream those sorrowful tears?   
Is it for some burial place, vast and dry?   
Is it to wet the soil of graves?

The poem consists of four short lines, but each line is packed with meaning and emotion.

The poem's speaker begins by asking a question, "What weeping face is that looking from the window?" The question immediately grabs the reader's attention and creates a sense of curiosity.

The second line adds to the sense of sorrow and emotion by describing the tears that stream down the face. The use of the word "sorrowful" emphasizes the depth of the grief that the weeping face is experiencing.

In the third line, the speaker suggests a possible reason for the grief, "Is it for some burial place, vast and dry?" The use of the words "vast and dry" creates an image of a barren and lifeless place, emphasizing the finality and inevitability of death.

Finally, in the last line, the speaker asks another rhetorical question, "Is it to wet the soil of graves?" The question implies that the tears are not just an expression of grief but also a way of honoring and caring for the dead.

Interpretation

The poem "What Weeping Face" is a meditation on the human experience of grief and loss. The weeping face is a metaphor for the universal human experience of losing a loved one, and the tears represent the emotions that come with that loss.

The use of rhetorical questions in the poem emphasizes the speaker's uncertainty and the overwhelming nature of grief. The questions cannot be answered definitively, and they leave the reader with a sense of the mysterious and unknowable aspects of human emotion.

The use of the phrase "burial place, vast and dry" suggests a sense of detachment and finality that comes with death. The image of a barren and lifeless place emphasizes the inevitability of death and the finality of loss.

The final question, "Is it to wet the soil of graves?" suggests that grief is not just an expression of sadness but also a way of caring for the dead. The tears are a symbol of love and honor for the deceased and represent the enduring connection between the living and the dead.

Conclusion

"What Weeping Face" is a powerful and emotional poem that touches on the universal human experience of grief and loss. The poem's use of rhetorical questions and vivid imagery creates a sense of mystery and uncertainty that mirrors the complexity and depth of human emotion.

Walt Whitman's poem reminds us of the enduring connection between the living and the dead and the importance of honoring and caring for those who have passed on. It's a poem that speaks to the heart and soul and reminds us of the power and beauty of poetry to capture the most profound aspects of the human experience.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

What Weeping Face: A Poem of Empathy and Compassion

Walt Whitman, the celebrated American poet, wrote a plethora of poems that captured the essence of human emotions and experiences. One such poem that stands out is "What Weeping Face," a powerful piece that delves into the pain and suffering of a woman who has lost her child. Through vivid imagery and empathetic language, Whitman portrays the universal human experience of grief and the need for compassion and understanding.

The poem opens with the speaker noticing a woman's face, which is "wet with tears." The woman's grief is palpable, and the speaker is moved by her sorrow. The use of the word "weeping" in the title sets the tone for the poem and prepares the reader for the emotional journey that lies ahead.

The second stanza describes the woman's physical appearance in detail. Whitman uses vivid imagery to paint a picture of her grief-stricken face, which is "pale and distorted." The use of the word "distorted" suggests that the woman's grief has taken a toll on her physical appearance, and she is no longer recognizable. The speaker also notes that the woman's eyes are "red and swollen," indicating that she has been crying for a long time.

In the third stanza, the speaker expresses his empathy for the woman's pain. He acknowledges that he cannot fully understand what she is going through, but he feels her pain nonetheless. The use of the word "sympathy" suggests that the speaker is not just feeling sorry for the woman, but he is also trying to understand her pain and offer comfort.

The fourth stanza is perhaps the most powerful in the poem. Here, the speaker imagines what it would be like to lose a child. He describes the pain as "unutterable," suggesting that it is beyond words. The use of the word "unutterable" also implies that the pain is so intense that it cannot be expressed in language. The speaker's empathy for the woman's pain is evident in this stanza, as he tries to put himself in her shoes and understand her grief.

In the fifth stanza, the speaker offers words of comfort to the woman. He tells her that her child is in a better place and that she will one day be reunited with him. The use of the word "reunited" suggests that the speaker believes in an afterlife where the woman and her child will be together again. This offers the woman a sense of hope and comfort in her time of grief.

The final stanza brings the poem to a close with a message of compassion and understanding. The speaker acknowledges that grief is a universal human experience and that we all need compassion and understanding in our times of sorrow. The use of the word "brother" suggests that the speaker sees the woman as a fellow human being who deserves empathy and compassion.

Overall, "What Weeping Face" is a powerful poem that captures the essence of human grief and the need for empathy and compassion. Whitman's use of vivid imagery and empathetic language allows the reader to feel the woman's pain and understand the universal human experience of grief. The poem offers a message of hope and comfort to those who are suffering and reminds us all of the importance of compassion and understanding in times of sorrow.

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