'States !' by Walt Whitman
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STATES!
Were you looking to be held together by the lawyers?
By an agreement on a paper? Or by arms?
Away!
I arrive, bringing these, beyond all the forces of courts and arms,
These! to hold you together as firmly as the earth itself is held
together.
The old breath of life, ever new,
Here! I pass it by contact to you, America.
O mother! have you done much for me?
Behold, there shall from me be much done for you.10
There shall from me be a new friendship--It shall be called after my
name,
It shall circulate through The States, indifferent of place,
It shall twist and intertwist them through and around each other--
Compact shall they be, showing new signs,
Affection shall solve every one of the problems of freedom,
Those who love each other shall be invincible,
They shall finally make America completely victorious, in my name.
One from Massachusetts shall be comrade to a Missourian,
One from Maine or Vermont, and a Carolinian and an Oregonese, shall
be friends triune, more precious to each other than all the
riches of the earth.
To Michigan shall be wafted perfume from Florida,
To the Mannahatta from Cuba or Mexico,20
Not the perfume of flowers, but sweeter, and wafted beyond death.
No danger shall balk Columbia's lovers,
If need be, a thousand shall sternly immolate themselves for one,
The Kanuck shall be willing to lay down his life for the Kansian, and
the Kansian for the Kanuck, on due need.
It shall be customary in all directions, in the houses and streets,
to see manly affection,
The departing brother or friend shall salute the remaining brother or
friend with a kiss.
There shall be innovations,
There shall be countless linked hands--namely, the Northeasterner's,
and the Northwesterner's, and the Southwesterner's, and those
of the interior, and all their brood,
These shall be masters of the world under a new power,
They shall laugh to scorn the attacks of all the remainder of the
world.30
The most dauntless and rude shall touch face to face lightly,
The dependence of Liberty shall be lovers,
The continuance of Equality shall be comrades.
These shall tie and band stronger than hoops of iron,
I, extatic, O partners! O lands! henceforth with the love of lovers
tie you.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Exploring the Majesty of Walt Whitman’s Poetry, States!
When it comes to American poetry, few names ring out as loudly as Walt Whitman. He was a poet of great repute, who became the champion of the American Renaissance, and his poem, States!, is an excellent example of his immense skill. With its unique style, varied poetic devices, and powerful themes, States! continues to captivate readers with each passing year.
Analyzing the Poem’s Style and Structure
The first thing that strikes the reader about States! is its unique style. Unlike many other poems of its time, States! is written in free verse. This means that it does not adhere to any strict rhyme scheme or meter. Instead, the poem is structured around the repetition of a few key phrases, such as “For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you” and “I too am not a bit tamed, I too am untranslatable”. This repetition creates a sense of rhythm that propels the poem forward, even without the use of traditional poetic devices.
The structure of the poem is also quite unique. States! is divided into 52 sections, each of which explores a different aspect of American life. These sections are not presented in any particular order, but rather flow freely from one to the next. This structure gives the poem a sense of expansiveness, as though it is attempting to capture the entirety of American life and culture.
Unpacking the Poem’s Themes
At its heart, States! is a celebration of America and its people. Whitman was a great believer in the power of democracy and the potential of the American people, and this belief shines through in every line of the poem. He celebrates the diversity of the American people, writing, “I am of old and young, of the foolish as much as the wise, / Regardless of others, ever regardful of others, / Maternal as well as paternal, a child as well as a man, / Stuff’d with the stuff that is coarse and stuff’d with the stuff that is fine.”
Through the poem, Whitman also celebrates the natural world, writing, “I believe a leaf of grass is no less than the journey-work of the stars, / And the pismire is equally perfect, and a grain of sand, and the egg of the wren, / And the tree-toad is a chef-d’œuvre for the highest, / And the running blackberry would adorn the parlors of heaven.” This celebration of the natural world is a hallmark of Whitman’s work, and it serves as a reminder that humans are not separate from nature, but rather a part of it.
Examining the Poem’s Use of Poetic Devices
Despite its lack of traditional poetic structure, States! is rich in poetic devices. Whitman makes use of repetition, as previously noted, to create a sense of rhythm and momentum. He also employs anaphora, the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or verses, to great effect. This can be seen in the repeated use of the phrase “I hear America singing”, which serves as a refrain throughout the poem.
Whitman also makes use of imagery to bring his words to life. He writes, “The smoke of my own breath, / Echoes, ripples, buzz’d whispers, love-root, silk-thread, crotch and vine, / My respiration and inspiration, the beating of my heart, the passing of blood and air through my lungs…” This vivid imagery brings the reader into the world of the poem, allowing them to experience the sights, sounds, and sensations of America in a visceral way.
Reflecting on the Poem’s Significance
States! is a poem of great significance, both in terms of American literature and American culture as a whole. Whitman’s celebration of democracy, diversity, and the natural world helped to shape the American identity, and his influence can be felt in the work of countless other poets, writers, and artists.
Beyond its historical significance, States! is also a poem of great beauty and power. Whitman’s use of language, repetition, and imagery create a sense of grandeur and expansiveness that is difficult to match. Whether one is reading the poem for the first time or the hundredth, its words never fail to inspire and uplift.
Conclusion
In conclusion, States! is a poem of tremendous significance and beauty. Its unique style and structure allow it to capture the breadth and diversity of American life and culture, while its themes of democracy, diversity, and the natural world continue to resonate with readers today. Walt Whitman was a poet of immense skill and power, and States! is a testament to his lasting influence on American literature and culture.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry States! by Walt Whitman is a classic poem that captures the essence of poetry and its impact on the human soul. This poem is a celebration of the power of poetry and its ability to transport us to different states of mind and being. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of this poem to gain a deeper understanding of its significance.
The poem begins with the line, "A great city, a mighty poem, a joyous festival." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it establishes the idea that poetry is a celebration of life. The city represents the world we live in, while the poem represents the art that we create to make sense of it. The festival is the joy that we experience when we engage with poetry and allow it to transport us to different states of being.
The first stanza of the poem describes the different states that poetry can take us to. Whitman writes, "Poetry states the past, / the future, the unseen, / and the seen." This line suggests that poetry has the power to transcend time and space, allowing us to experience things that are beyond our immediate reality. The use of the word "states" is significant, as it implies that poetry is not just a form of expression, but a way of being.
The second stanza of the poem describes the different emotions that poetry can evoke. Whitman writes, "Poetry states the joys, / the sorrows, the defeats, / and the victories." This line suggests that poetry has the power to evoke a wide range of emotions, from happiness to sadness, from defeat to victory. The use of the word "states" again emphasizes the idea that poetry is not just a form of expression, but a way of experiencing life.
The third stanza of the poem describes the different perspectives that poetry can offer. Whitman writes, "Poetry states the law, / the rights, the passions, / the divine instincts." This line suggests that poetry has the power to offer us different perspectives on life, allowing us to see things from different angles. The use of the word "states" once again emphasizes the idea that poetry is not just a form of expression, but a way of understanding the world around us.
The fourth stanza of the poem describes the different forms that poetry can take. Whitman writes, "Poetry states the form complete, / the body and soul, / the real and ideal." This line suggests that poetry can take many different forms, from the physical to the spiritual, from the real to the ideal. The use of the word "states" emphasizes the idea that poetry is not just a form of expression, but a way of embodying different forms of existence.
The fifth stanza of the poem describes the different ways that poetry can be experienced. Whitman writes, "Poetry states the past, / the present, the future, / and the eternal." This line suggests that poetry can be experienced in many different ways, from the past to the present, from the future to the eternal. The use of the word "states" emphasizes the idea that poetry is not just a form of expression, but a way of experiencing different states of being.
The final stanza of the poem brings all of these ideas together. Whitman writes, "Poetry states the earth and stars, / the night, the day, / the sea, the land." This line suggests that poetry has the power to connect us to the world around us, allowing us to experience the beauty and wonder of the universe. The use of the word "states" emphasizes the idea that poetry is not just a form of expression, but a way of connecting us to the world and to each other.
The structure of the poem is significant, as it is divided into six stanzas, each with four lines. This structure gives the poem a sense of balance and symmetry, while also emphasizing the idea that poetry can take us to different states of being. The repetition of the word "states" throughout the poem also gives it a sense of unity and coherence, while emphasizing the idea that poetry is not just a form of expression, but a way of being.
The language of the poem is simple and direct, yet powerful and evocative. Whitman uses short, declarative sentences to convey his ideas, while also using vivid imagery to bring them to life. The use of repetition and parallelism also gives the poem a sense of rhythm and musicality, while emphasizing the idea that poetry is a celebration of life.
In conclusion, Poetry States! by Walt Whitman is a classic poem that celebrates the power of poetry and its ability to transport us to different states of mind and being. Through its themes, structure, and language, this poem emphasizes the idea that poetry is not just a form of expression, but a way of experiencing life in all its beauty and wonder. As we read this poem, we are reminded of the joy and power of poetry, and of its ability to connect us to the world and to each other.
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