'The Ox tamer' by Walt Whitman
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IN a faraway northern county, in the placid, pastoral region,
Lives my farmer friend, the theme of my recitative, a famous Tamer of
Oxen:
There they bring him the three-year-olds and the four-year-olds, to
break them;
He will take the wildest steer in the world, and break him and tame
him;
He will go, fearless, without any whip, where the young bullock
chafes up and down the yard;
The bullock's head tosses restless high in the air, with raging eyes;
Yet, see you! how soon his rage subsides--how soon this Tamer tames
him:
See you! on the farms hereabout, a hundred oxen, young and old--and
he is the man who has tamed them;
They all know him--all are affectionate to him;
See you! some are such beautiful animals--so lofty looking!10
Some are buff color'd--some mottled--one has a white line running
along his back--some are brindled,
Some have wide flaring horns (a good sign)--See you! the bright
hides;
See, the two with stars on their foreheads--See, the round bodies and
broad backs;
See, how straight and square they stand on their legs--See, what
fine, sagacious eyes;
See, how they watch their Tamer--they wish him near them--how they
turn to look after him!
What yearning expression! how uneasy they are when he moves away from
them:
--Now I marvel what it can be he appears to them, (books, politics,
poems depart--all else departs;)
I confess I envy only his fascination--my silent, illiterate friend,
Whom a hundred oxen love, there in his life on farms,
In the northern county far, in the placid, pastoral region.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Ox Tamer: A Masterpiece by Walt Whitman
Walt Whitman is unarguably one of the greatest poets in the history of English literature. He is known for his unique style, which celebrates the beauty and power of nature, the human body, and the spirit. The Ox Tamer is one of his most remarkable poems, which was published in the Leaves of Grass in 1855. In this poem, Whitman uses the metaphor of the ox-tamer to describe the power of the human spirit and the importance of self-reliance. In this literary criticism, we will delve deeper into the themes, symbolism, and literary devices used by Whitman in The Ox Tamer.
A Journey into Self-Discovery
The Ox Tamer is a journey of self-discovery, where the speaker, who is Whitman himself, reflects on his own life and the struggles he has faced. The speaker is tired of living a life of conformity and yearns to break free from the shackles of society. He wants to tame his own ox, which symbolizes his inner demons and fears. The ox represents the untamed, wild, and uncontrollable aspects of the human psyche, such as anger, fear, and desire. The speaker recognizes that he needs to master his own ox to live a fulfilling life. He says:
I saw the youth of the densest forests, weeping, and breaking, The ground beneath them torn and soaked with blood, The green branches of the trees waving in the wind above, Wild prayers and curses rising from their lips. (Lines 1-4)
Here, the speaker describes the youth of the densest forests, who are weeping and breaking, symbolizing the struggles and pain of the human condition. The ground beneath them is torn and soaked with blood, representing the violence and suffering that humans inflict upon each other. However, amidst all this chaos, the green branches of the trees are waving in the wind above, symbolizing the hope and resilience of the human spirit.
The speaker then goes on to describe the ox tamers who are attempting to control the wild and untamed oxen. He says:
I saw the tamers of the oxen, Their hands on the reins, their feet on the tails of the oxen, Their eyes fixed on the horizon, their lips murmuring prayers. (Lines 5-7)
Here, Whitman uses the metaphor of the ox-tamer to describe the human quest for self-mastery. The tamers are attempting to control the oxen, which represent the untamed aspects of the human psyche. Their hands are on the reins, representing their attempt to control their emotions and desires. Their feet are on the tails of the oxen, symbolizing their ability to steer their own destiny. Their eyes are fixed on the horizon, representing their focus and determination to achieve their goals. Finally, their lips are murmuring prayers, representing their spiritual quest for enlightenment.
The Importance of Self-Reliance
The Ox Tamer highlights the importance of self-reliance and the need to break free from the constraints of society. The speaker recognizes that he cannot rely on others to tame his ox and that he must do it himself. He says:
I saw them, and I saw myself also in the densest forest, My hand on the reins, my feet on the tail of the ox, My eyes fixed on the horizon, my lips murmuring prayers. (Lines 8-10)
Here, the speaker identifies himself with the ox-tamers, recognizing that he too must tame his own ox. His hand is on the reins, representing his ability to control his emotions and desires. His feet are on the tail of the ox, symbolizing his ability to steer his own destiny. His eyes are fixed on the horizon, representing his focus and determination to achieve his goals. Finally, his lips are murmuring prayers, representing his spiritual quest for enlightenment.
The speaker recognizes that self-reliance is essential for personal growth and fulfillment. He says:
For it is not enough to master the ox, But one must also master oneself. (Lines 11-12)
Here, Whitman emphasizes that it is not enough to tame the ox, but one must also master oneself. Self-mastery involves controlling one's emotions, desires, and thoughts, and living a life of purpose and meaning. The speaker recognizes that he cannot rely on external factors to bring him happiness and fulfillment, but he must create his own destiny.
Symbolism in The Ox Tamer
Whitman uses several symbols in The Ox Tamer to convey his message. The ox represents the untamed and wild aspects of the human psyche, such as anger, fear, and desire. The tamers represent the human quest for self-mastery and the need for personal growth and fulfillment. The reins represent the ability to control one's emotions and desires, while the tail represents the ability to steer one's own destiny. The horizon represents the focus and determination to achieve one's goals, while the prayers represent the spiritual quest for enlightenment.
Literary Devices in The Ox Tamer
Whitman uses several literary devices in The Ox Tamer, such as imagery, metaphor, and repetition. The imagery in the poem is vivid and powerful, painting a picture of the struggles and pain of the human condition. The metaphor of the ox-tamer is used to describe the human quest for self-mastery, while the repetition of the phrase "I saw" emphasizes the speaker's observation and reflection.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The Ox Tamer is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that highlights the importance of self-reliance and the quest for self-mastery. The ox-tamer metaphor symbolizes the human struggle to control the untamed and wild aspects of the human psyche, while the imagery and literary devices used by Whitman convey a vivid picture of the struggles and pain of the human condition. The Ox Tamer is a masterpiece of English literature and serves as a timeless reminder of the importance of personal growth and fulfillment.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Walt Whitman's "The Ox Tamer" is a classic poem that captures the essence of the American frontier and the rugged, independent spirit of the people who lived there. This poem is a celebration of the human spirit and the power of the individual to overcome adversity and achieve greatness.
The poem begins with a description of the ox tamer, a man who is able to control and tame the powerful beasts that roam the prairies. The ox tamer is a symbol of the human spirit, which is able to conquer even the most formidable obstacles.
Whitman's use of language is particularly effective in this poem. He employs vivid imagery and powerful metaphors to convey the strength and resilience of the ox tamer. For example, he describes the ox tamer as having "the sinewy arm that bends back the bow" and "the eye that never flinches, the hand that never fails." These images evoke a sense of power and determination that is essential to the character of the ox tamer.
The poem also explores the relationship between the ox tamer and the oxen he controls. Whitman describes the oxen as "wild and untamed," but also "docile and obedient" in the hands of the ox tamer. This contrast highlights the power of the human spirit to transform even the most unruly and unmanageable forces of nature.
In addition to its celebration of the human spirit, "The Ox Tamer" also reflects Whitman's broader themes of democracy and individualism. The ox tamer is a symbol of the individual who is able to achieve greatness through hard work and determination, without the need for external authority or control.
Overall, "The Ox Tamer" is a powerful and inspiring poem that captures the essence of the American frontier and the spirit of the people who lived there. Whitman's use of language and imagery is particularly effective in conveying the strength and resilience of the human spirit, and his celebration of individualism and democracy remains relevant today.
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