'On The Beach At Night, Alone' by Walt Whitman

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ON the beach at night alone,
As the old mother sways her to and fro, singing her husky song,
As I watch the bright stars shining--I think a thought of the clef of
the universes, and of the future.

A VAST SIMILITUDE interlocks all,
All spheres, grown, ungrown, small, large, suns, moons, planets,
comets, asteroids,
All the substances of the same, and all that is spiritual upon the
same,
All distances of place, however wide,
All distances of time--all inanimate forms,
All Souls--all living bodies, though they be ever so different, or in
different worlds,
All gaseous, watery, vegetable, mineral processes--the fishes, the
brutes,10
All men and women--me also;
All nations, colors, barbarisms, civilizations, languages;
All identities that have existed, or may exist, on this globe, or any
globe;
All lives and deaths--all of the past, present, future;
This vast similitude spans them, and always has spann'd, and shall
forever span them, and compactly hold them, and enclose them.

Editor 1 Interpretation

On The Beach At Night, Alone: A Literary Analysis

Walt Whitman’s poem “On The Beach At Night, Alone” is a powerful and moving work that explores themes of loss, grief, and the beauty of nature. The poem is part of his collection, Leaves of Grass, which was first published in 1855, and has since become one of the most enduring works of American literature. In this essay, we will examine the poem in detail, looking at its structure, language, and themes, and explore how these work together to create a powerful and evocative piece of writing.

Background and Context

Before we begin our analysis, it is important to understand a little about Whitman and his work. Born in 1819 in Long Island, New York, Whitman was a prolific writer who is considered one of the most important poets in American literature. His writing is known for its free verse style, which was groundbreaking at the time, and its celebration of American life and culture. Leaves of Grass, the collection in which “On The Beach At Night, Alone” appears, is a sprawling work that covers many themes, including love, death, and nature.

“On The Beach At Night, Alone” was first published in 1867, and is believed to have been written in response to the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln was a personal hero of Whitman’s, and his death had a profound impact on the poet. The poem is a meditation on loss and grief, and is written in Whitman’s trademark free verse style.

Structure and Form

One of the defining features of “On The Beach At Night, Alone” is its structure. The poem is divided into four sections, each of which explores a different aspect of the speaker’s experience on the beach. The first section sets the scene, describing the speaker’s location and mood. The second section introduces the idea of loss, as the speaker reflects on the death of someone close to them. The third section is a meditation on the cyclical nature of life and death, and the final section is a call to action, urging the reader to embrace life and love.

Another important feature of the poem’s structure is its use of repetition. The opening lines of each section are identical, with the exception of the final line, which changes to reflect the theme of the section. This repetition creates a sense of rhythm and continuity, and underscores the cyclical nature of the poem’s themes.

Language and Imagery

Whitman’s language in “On The Beach At Night, Alone” is simple and direct, but also highly evocative. He uses vivid imagery to create a sense of place and mood, and to explore the poem’s themes.

One example of Whitman’s use of imagery is in the opening lines of the poem:

“On the beach at night,
Stands a child with her father,
Watching the east, the autumn sky.

Up through the darkness,
While ravening clouds, the burial clouds, in black masses spreading, Lower sullen and fast athwart and down the sky, Amid a transparent clear belt of ether yet left in the east,
Ascends large and calm the lord-star Jupiter,
And nigh at hand, only a very little above,
Swim the delicate sisters the Pleiades.”

These lines create a vivid sense of place, with the child and her father standing on the beach at night, watching the sky. The imagery of the “ravening clouds” and the “burial clouds” creates a sense of foreboding and loss, which is echoed later in the poem.

Another example of Whitman’s use of imagery is in the third section of the poem, where he writes:

“O rising stars!
Perhaps the one I want so much will rise, will rise with some of you.

O throat! O trembling throat!
Sound clearer through the atmosphere!
Pierce the woods, the earth,
Somewhere listening to catch you must be the one I want.

Shake out, carols!
Solitary here, the night’s carols!
Carols of lonesome love!
Death’s carols!
Carols under that lagging, yellow, waning moon!
O, under that moon where she droops almost down into the sea!
O reckless despairing carols.”

Here, Whitman uses imagery to create a sense of longing and loss, as the speaker searches for someone they have lost. The language is highly emotional, with the repetition of “carols” underscoring the speaker’s sense of desperation.

Themes

“On The Beach At Night, Alone” explores several themes, including loss, grief, and the beauty of nature.

One of the central themes of the poem is loss. The second section of the poem is a meditation on the death of someone close to the speaker, and their sense of grief and longing. The imagery of the “burial clouds” and the “ravening clouds” creates a sense of foreboding and loss, while the repetition of “carols” in the third section of the poem underscores the speaker’s sense of longing and desperation.

Another theme of the poem is the beauty of nature. Whitman’s language and imagery create a vivid sense of place, with the beach and the night sky serving as a backdrop to the speaker’s thoughts and emotions. The image of the “lord-star Jupiter” and the “delicate sisters the Pleiades” creates a sense of wonder and awe, while the repetition of the opening lines of each section creates a sense of rhythm and continuity, echoing the cyclical nature of nature itself.

Conclusion

“On The Beach At Night, Alone” is a powerful and moving work that explores themes of loss, grief, and the beauty of nature. Whitman’s use of language and imagery creates a vivid sense of place and mood, while the poem’s structure and repetition underscore its cyclical themes. The poem is a testament to Whitman’s mastery of free verse, and his ability to explore complex themes with simplicity and directness. As a meditation on loss and grief, it is a work that continues to resonate today, and is a testament to the enduring power of poetry.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry On The Beach At Night, Alone: A Masterpiece by Walt Whitman

Walt Whitman, one of the most celebrated poets of the 19th century, is known for his unique style of writing that celebrates the beauty of nature and the human spirit. His poem, "Poetry On The Beach At Night, Alone," is a masterpiece that captures the essence of solitude and the power of poetry.

The poem begins with the speaker standing on the beach at night, alone, listening to the sound of the waves crashing against the shore. The speaker is in a reflective mood, contemplating the mysteries of life and the universe. He feels a sense of awe and wonder at the vastness of the ocean and the stars above.

Whitman's use of imagery is particularly striking in this poem. He describes the ocean as "mystical, rolling, vast" and the stars as "mysterious, shining orbs." The use of these adjectives creates a sense of grandeur and majesty, emphasizing the power and beauty of nature.

As the speaker continues to reflect on his surroundings, he begins to feel a sense of connection to the universe. He realizes that he is not alone, but rather a part of something much larger than himself. He says, "I am a part of all that I have met," emphasizing the interconnectedness of all things.

Whitman's use of repetition in this line is particularly effective in driving home the message of the poem. By repeating the phrase "I am a part of all that I have met," the speaker emphasizes the idea that we are all connected to each other and to the universe.

The speaker then turns his attention to poetry, describing it as a "voice" that speaks to him in the night. He says that poetry is "the lightest breeze" that can "calm and soothe" his troubled mind. Whitman's use of personification in this passage is particularly effective in creating a sense of intimacy between the speaker and poetry.

The speaker then goes on to describe the power of poetry to connect us to the universe. He says that poetry can "make the world seem new" and "give a voice to the silent stars." Whitman's use of metaphor in this passage is particularly effective in emphasizing the transformative power of poetry.

The poem ends with the speaker feeling a sense of peace and contentment. He says that he is "happy" and "content" to be alone on the beach at night, listening to the sound of the waves and the voice of poetry. Whitman's use of imagery in this final passage is particularly effective in creating a sense of tranquility and serenity.

In conclusion, "Poetry On The Beach At Night, Alone" is a masterpiece by Walt Whitman that captures the essence of solitude and the power of poetry. Through his use of imagery, repetition, personification, and metaphor, Whitman creates a sense of awe and wonder at the beauty of nature and the human spirit. The poem is a testament to the transformative power of poetry and its ability to connect us to the universe.

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