'Out From Behind His Mask' by Walt Whitman
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OUT from behind this bending, rough-cut Mask,
(All straighter, liker Masks rejected--this preferr'd,)
This common curtain of the face, contain'd in me for me, in you for
you, in each for each,
(Tragedies, sorrows, laughter, tears--O heaven!
The passionate, teeming plays this curtain hid!)
This glaze of God's serenest, purest sky,
This film of Satan's seething pit,
This heart's geography's map--this limitless small continent--this
soundless sea;
Out from the convolutions of this globe,
This subtler astronomic orb than sun or moon--than Jupiter, Venus,
Mars;10
This condensation of the Universe--(nay, here the only Universe,
Here the IDEA--all in this mystic handful wrapt;)
These burin'd eyes, flashing to you, to pass to future time,
To launch and spin through space revolving, sideling--from these to
emanate,
To You, whoe'er you are--a Look.
A Traveler of thoughts and years--of peace and war,
Of youth long sped, and middle age declining,
(As the first volume of a tale perused and laid away, and this the
second,
Songs, ventures, speculations, presently to close,)
Lingering a moment, here and now, to You I opposite turn,20
As on the road, or at some crevice door, by chance, or open'd window,
Pausing, inclining, baring my head, You specially I greet,
To draw and clench your Soul, for once, inseparably with mine,
Then travel, travel on.
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Deep Dive into Walt Whitman's Out From Behind His Mask
Walt Whitman is undoubtedly one of the most famous and celebrated poets of all time. His work has inspired and influenced countless poets and writers around the world. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will be exploring one of his most famous poems, "Out From Behind His Mask." This poem is a prime example of Whitman's unique style and the themes that he explored in his work.
An Overview of "Out From Behind His Mask"
"Out From Behind His Mask" was first published in Whitman's collection of poems called Drum-Taps in 1865. This poem is unique in that it is written from the perspective of a soldier who is returning from battle. The soldier is described as wearing a mask that covers his face, and the poem is about him removing that mask and revealing his true self.
The poem is divided into three stanzas, with each stanza exploring a different aspect of the soldier's experience. In the first stanza, the soldier removes his mask and reveals his scars. In the second stanza, he reflects on the horrors of war and the price that he has paid for his service. In the third stanza, he speaks to a woman who he loves and who has been waiting for him to return.
Unpacking the Poem
At its core, "Out From Behind His Mask" is a poem about the psychological toll of war. The soldier's mask represents the emotional armor that he has had to wear in order to survive. He has had to suppress his emotions and his true self in order to do what was necessary to survive. This is a common theme in Whitman's work, as he was deeply affected by the American Civil War and the toll that it took on both the soldiers and the country as a whole.
The first stanza of the poem is particularly powerful. The soldier removes his mask and reveals his scars, both physical and emotional. He has been through hell, and the scars on his face and body are a testament to that fact. But the scars on his soul run even deeper. He has witnessed and committed unspeakable acts, and he carries that weight with him wherever he goes.
In the second stanza, the soldier reflects on the horrors of war. He talks about the things that he has seen and experienced, the friends that he has lost, and the toll that it has taken on his body and his mind. He acknowledges that he will never be the same again, that the war has changed him in ways that he cannot fully understand. This is a common theme in Whitman's work, as he was deeply affected by the American Civil War and the toll that it took on both the soldiers and the country as a whole.
The third stanza of the poem is particularly poignant. The soldier speaks to a woman who he loves and who has been waiting for him to return. He tells her that he is back and that he is no longer wearing his mask. He is finally able to be himself again, to feel his emotions, and to express his love for her. This is a powerful moment in the poem, as it shows that even in the midst of the horrors of war, love can still triumph.
The Unique Style of Walt Whitman
One of the things that makes "Out From Behind His Mask" so powerful is the unique style of Walt Whitman. Whitman was known for his long, free-verse poems that celebrated the beauty of nature, the individual, and the United States. He often used repetition, alliteration, and parallelism to create a sense of rhythm and flow in his poetry.
This style is on full display in "Out From Behind His Mask." The poem is written in free-verse, with no set rhyme or meter. Instead, Whitman uses repetition and parallelism to create a sense of rhythm and flow. For example, in the first stanza, he repeats the phrase "out from behind this mask" several times, creating a sense of urgency and emphasis. He also uses alliteration, such as in the phrase "scars and wrinkles" in the first stanza, to create a sense of musicality in the poem.
Conclusion
"Out From Behind His Mask" is a powerful and moving poem that explores the psychological toll of war. It is a prime example of Walt Whitman's unique style and his willingness to explore difficult and controversial themes in his work. The poem is a reminder of the sacrifices that soldiers have made throughout history and the toll that war takes on both the body and the soul.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Out From Behind His Mask: 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 his time. His poem, "Poetry Out From Behind His Mask," is a perfect example of his unique style and his ability to convey deep emotions through his words.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing poetry as a person, asking it to come out from behind its mask and reveal its true self. The speaker is urging poetry to be honest and authentic, to speak from the heart and not hide behind the conventions of society.
Whitman was a firm believer in the power of poetry to connect people and to bring about social change. He believed that poetry should be accessible to everyone, not just the elite, and that it should be used to express the joys and struggles of everyday life.
In the second stanza, the speaker describes the various masks that poetry wears, such as the mask of beauty, the mask of form, and the mask of rhyme. These masks, according to the speaker, are limiting and prevent poetry from expressing its true self.
Whitman's use of the word "mask" is significant because it suggests that poetry is hiding something, that it is not being completely honest. By urging poetry to come out from behind its mask, the speaker is asking it to be vulnerable and to reveal its true self.
In the third stanza, the speaker describes the true nature of poetry, which is to be free and unencumbered. The speaker urges poetry to break free from its constraints and to be true to itself.
Whitman's use of the word "free" is significant because it suggests that poetry should not be bound by rules or conventions. Instead, it should be allowed to flow freely and to express itself in its own unique way.
In the fourth stanza, the speaker describes the power of poetry to connect people and to bring about social change. The speaker urges poetry to use its power to bring about a better world, to inspire people to action and to bring about justice.
Whitman believed that poetry had the power to bring about social change because it could connect people on a deep emotional level. He believed that poetry could inspire people to action and that it could be used to bring about justice and equality.
In the final stanza, the speaker urges poetry to be true to itself and to speak from the heart. The speaker encourages poetry to be authentic and to express the joys and struggles of everyday life.
Whitman's use of the word "heart" is significant because it suggests that poetry should be emotional and should come from a place of deep feeling. He believed that poetry should be able to connect with people on an emotional level and that it should be able to express the full range of human emotions.
In conclusion, "Poetry Out From Behind His Mask" is a masterpiece by Walt Whitman that captures the essence of his unique style and his belief in the power of poetry to connect people and to bring about social change. Through his use of language and imagery, Whitman urges poetry to be true to itself and to speak from the heart. He believed that poetry should be free and unencumbered, and that it should be used to express the joys and struggles of everyday life. Whitman's legacy as a poet and a visionary continues to inspire generations of writers and readers alike.
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