'To One Shortly To Die' by Walt Whitman
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FROM all the rest I single out you, having a message for you:
You are to die--Let others tell you what they please, I cannot
prevaricate,
I am exact and merciless, but I love you--There is no escape for you.
Softly I lay my right hand upon you--you just feel it,
I do not argue--I bend my head close, and half envelope it,
I sit quietly by--I remain faithful,
I am more than nurse, more than parent or neighbor,
I absolve you from all except yourself, spiritual, bodily--that is
eternal--you yourself will surely escape,
The corpse you will leave will be but excrementitious.
The sun bursts through in unlooked-for directions!10
Strong thoughts fill you, and confidence--you smile!
You forget you are sick, as I forget you are sick,
You do not see the medicines--you do not mind the weeping friends--I
am with you,
I exclude others from you--there is nothing to be commiserated,
I do not commiserate--I congratulate you.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Walt Whitman's "To One Shortly To Die": A Poetic Exploration of Death
As one of America's greatest poets, Walt Whitman has left us with a legacy of beautiful and profound poetry. One poem that stands out in this regard is "To One Shortly To Die," which explores the theme of death in a deeply personal and moving way. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the various elements of the poem, including its form, structure, language, and imagery, and analyze how they contribute to its meaning and overall impact.
Background and Context
Before we delve into the poem itself, it is important to provide some background and context for Whitman's work. Whitman, who lived from 1819 to 1892, was a poet, essayist, and journalist who is best known for his collection of poems entitled "Leaves of Grass." This collection is notable for its free verse style, which eschews traditional poetic form and meter in favor of a more organic and naturalistic approach to language.
Whitman's work is also characterized by its celebration of democracy, individuality, and the natural world. He believed that all people were equal and that everyone had the potential to achieve greatness. His poetry often reflects this belief, as he often focuses on the experiences of ordinary people and the beauty of the natural world.
Whitman's poetry was also deeply influenced by the American Civil War, which he witnessed firsthand as a volunteer nurse. This experience had a profound impact on him, and many of his poems deal with themes of death, loss, and the human cost of war.
Form and Structure
"To One Shortly To Die" is a relatively short poem, consisting of just ten lines. It is written in free verse, with no rhyme or meter, and is divided into two stanzas. The first stanza consists of four lines, while the second stanza consists of six.
The poem is structured as a direct address to the person who is "shortly to die." This creates a sense of intimacy and immediacy, as if the speaker is speaking directly to the reader. The brevity of the poem also contributes to its overall impact, as it conveys a sense of urgency and intensity.
Language and Imagery
One of the most striking aspects of "To One Shortly To Die" is its use of language and imagery. Whitman employs a number of poetic devices, including metaphor, repetition, and personification, to create a powerful and evocative effect.
The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the speaker addresses the reader in a direct and urgent manner. The use of the word "soon" in the first line creates a sense of immediacy and urgency, as if time is running out. The repetition of the word "you" in the first and third lines reinforces the sense of direct address, while the use of the word "stricken" in the second line creates a sense of vulnerability and frailty.
In the second stanza, Whitman uses metaphor and personification to create a vivid and powerful image of death. The phrase "the dimming star" is a metaphor for the person who is dying, and it conveys a sense of fading light and decreasing vitality. The line "the closing curtain" is also a metaphor, but it is also personification, as it gives death a tangible and physical presence. The use of the word "curtain" is particularly effective, as it suggests the finality and irreversibility of death.
Whitman also employs imagery from nature to create a sense of beauty and awe in the face of death. The phrase "the final word" in the final line suggests that death is a natural and inevitable part of life, and that even in death there is a kind of beauty and majesty.
Analysis and Interpretation
So, what does all of this mean? What is Whitman trying to say in "To One Shortly To Die"? At its core, the poem is a meditation on the inevitability of death, and the need to face it with courage and dignity.
The direct address to the person who is dying creates a sense of intimacy and compassion, as if the speaker is trying to offer comfort in the face of their imminent death. The use of language and imagery serves to reinforce this sense of compassion, as the speaker evokes the natural beauty and majesty of the world to help the reader find meaning and solace in the face of death.
At the same time, the poem is also a reflection on the human condition, and the fragility and transience of life. The use of the word "stricken" in the first stanza suggests that even those who are young and healthy can be struck down by death at any moment. This is a sobering reminder of our own mortality, and the need to live every moment to the fullest.
The use of metaphor and personification in the second stanza also suggests that death is not something to be feared or avoided, but rather accepted as a natural and inevitable part of the cycle of life. The image of the "dimming star" suggests that even in death there is a sense of beauty and awe, while the "closing curtain" reminds us that death is not the end, but rather a transition to a new phase of existence.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Walt Whitman's "To One Shortly To Die" is a powerful and moving poem that explores the theme of death in a profound and compassionate way. Through its use of language, imagery, and form, the poem conveys a sense of urgency and immediacy, as well as a deep appreciation for the beauty and fragility of life. In the face of death, the poem offers solace, compassion, and a reminder to live every moment to the fullest.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry To One Shortly To Die: A Masterpiece by Walt Whitman
Walt Whitman, the American poet, essayist, and journalist, is known for his unique style of writing that celebrates the beauty of life and the human experience. His poem, Poetry To One Shortly To Die, is a masterpiece that captures the essence of life and death in a profound and moving way. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and language.
The poem is addressed to someone who is about to die, and it begins with the lines, "From all the rest I single out you, having a message for you." This opening sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a personal and intimate conversation between the poet and the dying person. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with its own distinct theme and message.
The first stanza is a celebration of life and the beauty of the world. Whitman uses vivid and descriptive language to paint a picture of the natural world, describing the "green leaves of the trees" and the "blue sky" above. He urges the dying person to take one last look at the world and to appreciate its beauty, saying, "Look at the stars! look, look up at the skies!" This stanza is a reminder that life is precious and that we should cherish every moment.
The second stanza is a reflection on death and what comes after. Whitman acknowledges the inevitability of death, saying, "The inevitable is coming, and the unknown want, the comformless and the dark." He also acknowledges the fear and uncertainty that comes with death, saying, "Fear not, the future shall be little to thee." However, he also offers comfort and reassurance, saying that death is not the end, but merely a transition to a new state of being. He says, "The past is done and gone, but something new and better for all the future." This stanza is a reminder that death is a natural part of life and that we should not fear it, but embrace it as a part of the cycle of life.
The third and final stanza is a call to action, urging the dying person to leave a legacy and to make a difference in the world. Whitman says, "Be not discouraged, keep on, there are divine things well envelop'd." He encourages the dying person to leave their mark on the world and to make a difference, saying, "Not till the sun excludes you do I exclude you." This stanza is a reminder that even in death, we can make a difference and leave a lasting impact on the world.
The structure of the poem is simple but effective. The three stanzas each have their own distinct theme and message, but they are all connected by the overarching theme of life and death. The repetition of the phrase "I sing" throughout the poem also serves to tie the stanzas together and to emphasize the poet's message.
The language used in the poem is simple but powerful. Whitman uses vivid and descriptive language to paint a picture of the natural world, and his words are full of emotion and passion. He uses repetition and alliteration to create a musical quality to the poem, making it both beautiful and memorable. The poem is also full of symbolism, with the natural world representing life and the unknown representing death.
In conclusion, Poetry To One Shortly To Die is a masterpiece of poetry that captures the essence of life and death in a profound and moving way. Whitman's use of language, structure, and symbolism all work together to create a powerful and emotional message that is both comforting and inspiring. The poem is a reminder that life is precious and that we should cherish every moment, but also that death is a natural part of life and should not be feared. It is a call to action, urging us to make a difference in the world and to leave a lasting legacy. This poem is a true masterpiece of poetry and a testament to the power of words to inspire and comfort us in times of need.
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