'Mediums' by Walt Whitman
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THEY shall arise in the States,
They shall report Nature, laws, physiology, and happiness;
They shall illustrate Democracy and the kosmos;
They shall be alimentive, amative, perceptive;
They shall be complete women and men--their pose brawny and supple,
their drink water, their blood clean and clear;
They shall enjoy materialism and the sight of products--they shall
enjoy the sight of the beef, lumber, bread-stuffs, of Chicago,
the great city;
They shall train themselves to go in public to become orators and
oratresses;
Strong and sweet shall their tongues be--poems and materials of poems
shall come from their lives--they shall be makers and finders;
Of them, and of their works, shall emerge divine conveyers, to convey
gospels;
Characters, events, retrospections, shall be convey'd in gospels
--Trees, animals, waters, shall be convey'd,10
Death, the future, the invisible faith, shall all be convey'd.
Editor 1 Interpretation
An Ode to the Mediums: A Literary Criticism of Walt Whitman's Poetry
Walt Whitman was a revolutionary poet who dared to break free from the conventional forms of poetry prevalent in his time. He redefined the genre of poetry, introducing a new style that emphasized on the individual self and the beauty of everyday life. His poem, "Mediums," published in the 1855 edition of "Leaves of Grass," is a perfect example of his innovative style and the themes he explored.
In this essay, I will be analyzing and interpreting Whitman's "Mediums" through a literary criticism lens. I will explore the poem's structure, style, and themes, and how they contribute to the overall meaning of the poem.
Background of "Mediums"
Before diving into the poem, it is necessary to understand the context in which it was written. Whitman wrote "Mediums" during a time of social, political, and cultural upheaval in America. The country was on the verge of a civil war, and the issue of slavery was at the forefront of national discourse. Whitman was deeply affected by the events surrounding him, and his poetry reflected the changing times.
"Mediums" was published in the first edition of "Leaves of Grass," a collection of poems that Whitman continued to edit and revise throughout his life. The poem is part of the "Enfans d'Adam" section of the collection, which explores themes of sexuality, nature, and the body.
Structure and Style
Whitman's "Mediums" is a free verse poem, meaning that it does not follow a specific rhyme scheme or meter. Instead, the poem flows organically, with lines of varying lengths that create a sense of movement and spontaneity. This style is characteristic of Whitman's work, and it allows him to experiment with language and form.
The poem consists of six stanzas, each containing four lines. The first and last stanzas are identical, creating a sense of symmetry and unity in the poem. The second, third, and fourth stanzas are also similar in structure, with the repetition of the phrase "I am the poet" at the beginning of each line. This repetition emphasizes the centrality of the poet's voice in the poem and reinforces the idea that the poet is a medium for the divine.
Themes
The themes explored in "Mediums" are central to Whitman's work and offer insight into his philosophy of life. The poem celebrates the individual self and the beauty of the natural world, while also acknowledging the role of the poet as a medium for the divine.
The Self
One of the central themes of "Mediums" is the celebration of the individual self. Whitman believed that every person was unique and had their own story to tell. In the poem, he emphasizes the importance of self-expression and the power of the individual voice:
"I am the poet of the Body and I am the poet of the Soul, The pleasures of heaven are with me and the pains of hell are with me, The first I graft and increase upon myself, the latter I translate into a new tongue."
This passage highlights the dual nature of the self, which encompasses both the physical body and the spiritual soul. Whitman celebrates the pleasures of life while also acknowledging the pain that comes with it. He sees the self as a work in progress, constantly evolving and growing.
Nature
Another prominent theme in "Mediums" is the celebration of the natural world. Whitman believed that nature was a source of inspiration and beauty, and he often used natural imagery in his poetry. In the poem, he describes himself as a "modern man" who is in tune with the rhythms of the natural world:
"I am the modern man, the man of the future, I am the woman, I am the man, I am the peasant, I am the king, I am the Meek, I am the rude, I am the wise man and the fool."
This passage demonstrates Whitman's belief in the interconnectedness of all things. He sees himself as part of a larger whole, connected to everything around him. Nature is not separate from humanity, but rather an integral part of it.
The Poet as Medium
The third major theme of "Mediums" is the role of the poet as a medium for the divine. Whitman believed that poetry was a form of communication between the poet and the divine, and that the poet was a vessel for the divine message. In the poem, he emphasizes the importance of the poet's voice:
"I am the poet, I am the priest, I am the actor, I am the sailor, I am the engineer, I am the carpenter, I am the founder, I am the artist, I am the teacher."
This passage highlights the diversity of roles that the poet can embody, each of which is a means of communication with the divine. Whitman sees the poet as a conduit for the divine message, a medium through which the divine can speak to humanity.
Interpretation
"Mediums" is a complex and multi-layered poem that explores a variety of themes. At its core, however, the poem is a celebration of life and the individual self. Whitman believed that every person had something unique to offer the world, and he encouraged self-expression and creativity.
The poem also reflects Whitman's belief in the interconnectedness of all things. He saw humanity as part of the natural world, connected to everything around us. This belief is reflected in the natural imagery that he uses throughout the poem.
Finally, "Mediums" highlights the importance of the poet's voice as a means of communication with the divine. Whitman saw poetry as a form of spiritual expression, and he believed that the poet had a responsibility to share their message with the world.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Mediums" is a powerful and innovative poem that reflects Walt Whitman's philosophy of life. The poem celebrates the individual self, the beauty of the natural world, and the role of the poet as a medium for the divine. Through its structure, style, and themes, "Mediums" offers insight into Whitman's unique perspective on the world and his contribution to the genre of poetry.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Walt Whitman's "Poetry Mediums" is a classic piece of literature that has stood the test of time. It is a poem that explores the different mediums through which poetry can be expressed. The poem is divided into three parts, each of which explores a different medium of poetry. In this article, we will analyze and explain each part of the poem in detail.
Part 1: The Written Word
The first part of the poem explores the written word as a medium for poetry. Whitman begins by describing the power of the written word. He says that the written word is "the voice of the poet" and that it has the power to "reach the hearts of all men." He goes on to say that the written word is "the truest medium of expression" and that it has the power to "transcend time and space."
Whitman then goes on to describe the different forms that the written word can take. He talks about how poetry can be expressed through books, newspapers, and magazines. He also talks about how poetry can be expressed through letters and notes. He says that the written word is a powerful medium because it can be read and re-read, allowing the reader to fully absorb the message of the poem.
Whitman also talks about the importance of the written word in preserving history. He says that the written word is a way to "preserve the deeds of the past" and that it is a way to "keep alive the memories of those who have gone before us." He believes that poetry, expressed through the written word, is a way to connect with the past and to learn from it.
Part 2: The Spoken Word
The second part of the poem explores the spoken word as a medium for poetry. Whitman begins by describing the power of the spoken word. He says that the spoken word is "the living voice of the poet" and that it has the power to "move the hearts of all who hear it." He goes on to say that the spoken word is a powerful medium because it can be heard and felt in a way that the written word cannot.
Whitman then goes on to describe the different forms that the spoken word can take. He talks about how poetry can be expressed through speeches, lectures, and public readings. He also talks about how poetry can be expressed through song and music. He says that the spoken word is a powerful medium because it can be heard by many people at once, allowing the poet to reach a larger audience.
Whitman also talks about the importance of the spoken word in creating a sense of community. He says that the spoken word is a way to "bring people together" and that it is a way to "create a sense of unity and purpose." He believes that poetry, expressed through the spoken word, is a way to connect with others and to create a sense of belonging.
Part 3: The Visual Word
The third part of the poem explores the visual word as a medium for poetry. Whitman begins by describing the power of the visual word. He says that the visual word is "the language of the eye" and that it has the power to "move the hearts of all who see it." He goes on to say that the visual word is a powerful medium because it can be seen and felt in a way that the written and spoken word cannot.
Whitman then goes on to describe the different forms that the visual word can take. He talks about how poetry can be expressed through art, photography, and film. He also talks about how poetry can be expressed through nature and the beauty of the world around us. He says that the visual word is a powerful medium because it can be seen by many people at once, allowing the poet to reach a larger audience.
Whitman also talks about the importance of the visual word in creating a sense of wonder and awe. He says that the visual word is a way to "connect with the beauty of the world" and that it is a way to "create a sense of wonder and awe in the hearts of all who see it." He believes that poetry, expressed through the visual word, is a way to connect with the world around us and to appreciate its beauty.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Walt Whitman's "Poetry Mediums" is a powerful poem that explores the different mediums through which poetry can be expressed. Whitman believes that poetry can be expressed through the written word, the spoken word, and the visual word. He believes that each medium has its own unique power and that each medium can be used to reach a different audience.
Whitman's poem is a reminder of the power of poetry and the importance of expressing oneself through different mediums. It is a call to poets to explore the different ways in which they can express themselves and to use those mediums to connect with others and to create a sense of community. Whitman's poem is a timeless reminder of the power of poetry and the importance of expressing oneself in a way that can be felt by others.
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