'Eidólons' by Walt Whitman
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I MET a Seer,
Passing the hues and objects of the world,
The fields of art and learning, pleasure, sense,
To glean Eidólons.
Put in thy chants, said he,
No more the puzzling hour, nor day--nor segments, parts, put in,
Put first before the rest, as light for all, and entrance-song of
all,
That of Eidólons.
Ever the dim beginning;
Ever the growth, the rounding of the circle;10
Ever the summit, and the merge at last, (to surely start again,)
Eidólons! Eidólons!
Ever the mutable!
Ever materials, changing, crumbling, re-cohering;
Ever the ateliers, the factories divine,
Issuing Eidólons!
Lo! I or you!
Or woman, man, or State, known or unknown,
We seeming solid wealth, strength, beauty build,
But really build Eidólons.20
The ostent evanescent;
The substance of an artist's mood, or savan's studies long,
Or warrior's, martyr's, hero's toils,
To fashion his Eidólon.
Of every human life,
(The units gather'd, posted--not a thought, emotion, deed, left out;)
The whole, or large or small, summ'd, added up,
In its Eidólon.
The old, old urge;
Based on the ancient pinnacles, lo! newer, higher pinnacles;30
From Science and the Modern still impell'd,
The old, old urge, Eidólons.
The present, now and here,
America's busy, teeming, intricate whirl,
Of aggregate and segregate, for only thence releasing,
To-day's Eidólons.
These, with the past,
Of vanish'd lands--of all the reigns of kings across the sea,
Old conquerors, old campaigns, old sailors' voyages,
Joining Eidólons.40
Densities, growth, façades,
Strata of mountains, soils, rocks, giant trees,
Far-born, far-dying, living long, to leave,
Eidólons everlasting.
Exaltè, rapt, extatic,
The visible but their womb of birth,
Of orbic tendencies to shape, and shape, and shape,
The mighty Earth-Eidólon.
All space, all time,
(The stars, the terrible perturbations of the suns,50
Swelling, collapsing, ending--serving their longer, shorter use,)
Fill'd with Eidólons only.
The noiseless myriads!
The infinite oceans where the rivers empty!
The separate, countless free identities, like eyesight;
The true realities, Eidólons.
Not this the World,
Nor these the Universes--they the Universes,
Purport and end--ever the permanent life of life,
Eidólons, Eidólons.60
Beyond thy lectures, learn'd professor,
Beyond thy telescope or spectroscope, observer keen--beyond all
mathematics,
Beyond the doctor's surgery, anatomy--beyond the chemist with his
chemistry,
The entities of entities, Eidólons.
Unfix'd, yet fix'd;
Ever shall be--ever have been, and are,
Sweeping the present to the infinite future,
Eidólons, Eidólons, Eidólons.
The prophet and the bard,
Shall yet maintain themselves--in higher stages yet,70
Shall mediate to the Modern, to Democracy--interpret yet to them,
God, and Eidólons.
And thee, My Soul!
Joys, ceaseless exercises, exaltations!
Thy yearning amply fed at last, prepared to meet,
Thy mates, Eidólons.
Thy Body permanent,
The Body lurking there within thy Body,
The only purport of the Form thou art--the real I myself,
An image, an Eidólon.80
Thy very songs, not in thy songs;
No special strains to sing--none for itself;
But from the whole resulting, rising at last and floating,
A round, full-orb'd Eidólon.
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Deep Dive into Walt Whitman's Eidólons
Introduction
Walt Whitman's poetry is renowned for its unique style and the themes of democracy and individualism that it espouses. His collection "Leaves of Grass" is a reflection of his poetic genius, and one of his most significant works is the poem "Eidólons." The poem is a testament to Whitman's exploration of the theme of death and the afterlife. The poem speaks of the journey of the soul after death and its transformation into a larger entity that encompasses everything. In this essay, we will examine the themes and literary devices used by Whitman in "Eidólons" to understand the poem's meaning.
Overview of the Poem
"Eidólons" is a long poem that is divided into four parts, each reflecting on a different aspect of the afterlife. The poem begins with an exploration of the soul's journey after death and its encounter with the "Eidólons" or images of the things it once knew in life. The second part describes the soul's transformation into a larger entity that encompasses everything. The third part explores the idea of the soul's rebirth and the possibility of it being reborn as a new life form. The final part of the poem reflects on the idea of death and the soul's journey into the unknown.
Themes
The primary themes of "Eidólons" are the afterlife, death, transformation, and rebirth. Whitman explores the idea of death as a transformative experience and the soul's journey into the unknown. He also reflects on the idea of transformation and rebirth, where the soul is reborn as a new life form. These themes are interconnected and are presented throughout the poem in different ways.
Death as a Transformative Experience
Whitman presents death as a transformative experience, where the soul is released from the physical body and undergoes a metamorphosis into a larger entity. The soul's journey after death is presented as a series of experiences that lead to the soul's transformation. In the first part of the poem, Whitman describes the soul's encounter with the "Eidólons" or images of the things it once knew in life. This encounter is presented as a process of letting go of the physical world and moving towards a larger entity that encompasses everything.
The Soul's Journey into the Unknown
Whitman explores the idea of the soul's journey into the unknown, where it undergoes a transformation and becomes a larger entity. The poem presents the idea that the soul is not limited to the physical body and that it continues to exist and evolve even after death. The soul's journey is presented as a process of letting go of the physical world and moving towards a larger spiritual reality.
Transformation and Rebirth
Whitman reflects on the idea of transformation and rebirth, where the soul is reborn as a new life form. In the third part of the poem, he presents the idea that the soul can be reborn as a new life form and start a new journey. This idea is presented as a process of evolution, where the soul continues to exist and evolve even after death. The idea of rebirth is presented as a possibility for the soul to continue its journey and explore new realities.
Literary Devices
Whitman uses various literary devices to convey the themes of the poem. These devices include imagery, metaphors, and repetition.
Imagery
Whitman uses vivid imagery to describe the soul's journey after death. He describes the soul's encounter with the "Eidólons" as a process of letting go of the physical world and moving towards a larger spiritual reality. The images of the "Eidólons" represent the soul's connection to the physical world and its journey towards a larger spiritual reality. The use of imagery brings the poem to life and helps the reader to visualize the soul's journey.
Metaphors
Whitman uses metaphors to convey the themes of transformation and rebirth. He compares the soul's journey to a metamorphosis, where the soul undergoes a transformation and becomes a larger entity. The use of metaphors helps to create a deeper understanding of the themes of the poem and make the poem more relatable.
Repetition
Whitman uses repetition to emphasize the themes of the poem. The repetition of certain phrases, such as "Eidólons" and "I am he that aches with love," reinforces the themes of death, transformation, and rebirth. The repetition of these phrases brings a sense of unity to the poem and helps to create a deeper understanding of the themes.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Walt Whitman's "Eidólons" is a reflection of his poetic genius and explores the themes of death, transformation, and rebirth. The poem presents death as a transformative experience and the soul's journey into the unknown. It also reflects on the idea of transformation and rebirth, where the soul is reborn as a new life form. Whitman's use of literary devices, such as imagery, metaphors, and repetition, helps to convey the themes of the poem and make it more relatable to the reader. Overall, "Eidólons" is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that explores some of life's most profound mysteries.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Eidólons: A Poetic Masterpiece by Walt Whitman
Walt Whitman, the celebrated American poet, is known for his unique style of writing that captures the essence of the human experience. His poem Eidólons is a prime example of his literary genius. This 2000-word analysis will delve into the depths of this classic poem and explore its themes, structure, and significance.
Eidólons, which means "phantoms" or "apparitions," is a poem that explores the nature of existence and the human condition. The poem is divided into three sections, each of which presents a different aspect of the human experience. The first section deals with the physical world, the second with the spiritual world, and the third with the afterlife.
The poem begins with the lines, "I met a seer, / Passing the hues and objects of the world, / The fields of art and learning, pleasure, sense, / To glean eidólons." Here, the speaker introduces the concept of eidólons and sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The seer is a symbol of the poet, who is seeking to understand the world beyond the physical realm.
In the first section of the poem, the speaker describes the physical world and the objects that inhabit it. He writes, "These, and all else, were to me the same as they are to you, / I loved well those cities, loved well the stately and rapid river." The speaker is acknowledging the beauty of the physical world and the joy it brings to human beings. However, he also recognizes that these objects are fleeting and will eventually disappear.
The second section of the poem deals with the spiritual world and the search for meaning in life. The speaker writes, "I too, following many and follow'd by many, inaugurate a religion, / I descend into the arena." Here, the speaker is acknowledging the importance of spirituality in human life and the need for a higher purpose. He sees himself as a leader in this quest for meaning and acknowledges the challenges that come with it.
The third and final section of the poem deals with the afterlife and the concept of immortality. The speaker writes, "And I know that the hand of God is the promise of my own, / And I know that the spirit of God is the brother of my own." Here, the speaker is expressing his belief in the afterlife and the idea that the soul is immortal. He sees himself as part of a larger spiritual community and acknowledges the role of God in human existence.
The structure of the poem is unique and reflects the themes presented in each section. The first section is written in free verse, with no set rhyme or meter. This reflects the chaotic and unpredictable nature of the physical world. The second section is written in a more structured form, with a consistent rhyme scheme and meter. This reflects the order and structure that spirituality brings to human life. The third section is a combination of both, reflecting the idea that the afterlife is a combination of both the physical and spiritual worlds.
The significance of Eidólons lies in its exploration of the human experience and the search for meaning in life. Whitman's use of language and imagery captures the beauty and complexity of existence, while also acknowledging its fleeting nature. The poem is a reminder that life is a journey, and that the search for meaning is an ongoing process.
In conclusion, Eidólons is a masterpiece of American poetry that explores the nature of existence and the human condition. Whitman's use of language and imagery captures the beauty and complexity of life, while also acknowledging its fleeting nature. The poem is a reminder that the search for meaning is an ongoing process, and that spirituality and the afterlife are an integral part of the human experience. Eidólons is a timeless work of art that continues to inspire and captivate readers to this day.
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