'Hush 'd Be The Camps To-day' by Walt Whitman
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HUSH'D be the camps to-day;
And, soldiers, let us drape our war-worn weapons;
And each with musing soul retire, to celebrate,
Our dear commander's death.
No more for him life's stormy conflicts;
Nor victory, nor defeat--no more time's dark events,
Charging like ceaseless clouds across the sky.
But sing, poet, in our name;
Sing of the love we bore him--because you, dweller in camps, know it
truly.
As they invault the coffin there;10
Sing--as they close the doors of earth upon him--one verse,
For the heavy hearts of soldiers.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Hush'd Be The Camps To-day: A Literary Analysis
Walt Whitman's poem "Hush'd Be The Camps To-day" is a stirring tribute to the soldiers who fought and died in the American Civil War. The poem's title is taken from a line in Shakespeare's play Henry V, and the poem itself is an elegy that mourns the fallen soldiers and their families.
In this literary analysis, we will delve into the themes, symbols, and techniques used by Whitman in this poem to convey his message.
Themes
One of the most prominent themes in "Hush'd Be The Camps To-day" is death. The poem is a lamentation for the soldiers who have died in the war, and it mourns the loss of life that the conflict has caused. The opening lines of the poem set the tone:
Hush'd be the camps to-day,
And soldiers let us drape our war-worn weapons,
And each with musing soul retire to celebrate
Our dear commander's deathless life.
Here, Whitman sets the scene of soldiers putting down their weapons and reflecting on their fallen leader. The use of the word "deathless" is interesting, as it suggests that although the commander has died, his legacy lives on.
Another theme in the poem is the idea of sacrifice. The soldiers who fought and died in the war made the ultimate sacrifice for their country, and this sacrifice is praised and celebrated in the poem. Whitman writes:
Bold, cautious, true, and my loving comrade,
Long, long, shall we be together,
In the dreams of a peaceful future,
In the bivouac of Life,
In the tents of Memory,
Where shall hover dreams of joy,
Hover dreams of the great proud
Recognition of heroes.
Here, Whitman suggests that the soldiers who have died will be remembered as heroes, and that their sacrifice will be celebrated in the dreams and memories of the living.
Symbols
Whitman uses a number of symbols in "Hush'd Be The Camps To-day" to convey his message. One of the most powerful symbols is that of the flag. The flag represents the soldiers who fought and died in the war, and it is a symbol of their sacrifice and their love for their country. Whitman writes:
Folded and silent,
A waif, to memory's tide,
I'll pay you a long, long tribute,
Though you mingle with forgotten dust.
Here, Whitman speaks of the flag as a "waif" that has been left behind, but which will be remembered and honored by future generations.
Another symbol used in the poem is that of the bugle. The bugle is a symbol of the military and is often used to signal the start of battles and the end of the day. Whitman writes:
Blow, bugles, blow!
Set the wild echoes flying!
Blow, bugles, answer echoes, dying, dying, dying.
Here, Whitman uses the bugle to symbolize the sound of the soldiers' battle cry, and the echoes represent the soldiers' voices as they continue to speak from beyond the grave.
Techniques
Whitman uses a number of techniques in "Hush'd Be The Camps To-day" to convey his message. One of the most notable is his use of repetition. Throughout the poem, Whitman repeats certain words and phrases to emphasize their importance. For example, he repeats the phrase "long, long" in the following lines:
Bold, cautious, true, and my loving comrade,
Long, long, shall we be together,
In the dreams of a peaceful future,
In the bivouac of Life,
In the tents of Memory.
Here, the repetition of "long, long" emphasizes the idea of a lasting bond between the soldiers who have died and those who remain.
Another technique used by Whitman is his use of imagery. He uses vivid, sensory language to paint a picture of the soldiers and the war. For example, he writes:
The tearful parting, the mother kisses her son,
The wife kisses her husband, the beloved one kisses his
beloved,
The eager eye hurries, wrapt with farewell,
The knapsack is strapped on the back of the departing
soldier.
Here, Whitman uses imagery to convey the emotional impact of war on the soldiers and their loved ones.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Hush'd Be The Camps To-day" is a moving poem that pays tribute to the soldiers who fought and died in the American Civil War. Through the use of themes, symbols, and techniques, Walt Whitman conveys a powerful message about sacrifice, heroism, and the enduring legacy of those who have given their lives for their country. This poem continues to resonate with readers today, reminding us of the cost of war and the importance of honoring those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Hush'd Be The Camps To-day: A Poetic 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 nature, the human spirit, and the diversity of life. His poem, "Hush'd Be The Camps To-day," is a classic example of his poetic genius. Written during the American Civil War, the poem captures the emotions of soldiers and civilians alike, as they mourn the loss of loved ones and pray for peace.
The poem begins with the line, "Hush'd be the camps to-day," which sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The word "hush'd" suggests a sense of quietness and stillness, as if the world has come to a standstill. The camps, which refer to the military camps where soldiers live and train, are also quiet, as if the soldiers have put down their weapons and are taking a break from the war.
The second line, "And soldiers let us drape our war-worn weapons," is a call to arms for the soldiers to lay down their weapons and take a moment to mourn the loss of their comrades. The phrase "war-worn weapons" suggests that the soldiers have been fighting for a long time and are tired of the violence and bloodshed. The use of the word "drape" also suggests a sense of mourning and respect for the fallen soldiers.
The third line, "And each with musing soul retire to celebrate," is a call for reflection and contemplation. The soldiers are encouraged to take a moment to think about the meaning of their sacrifice and the value of human life. The phrase "musing soul" suggests a deep sense of introspection and contemplation, as if the soldiers are searching for answers to the questions that plague them.
The fourth line, "Our dear commander lies," is a reference to the death of Abraham Lincoln, the President of the United States during the Civil War. Lincoln was assassinated on April 14, 1865, just days after the Confederate Army surrendered, effectively ending the war. The phrase "our dear commander" suggests a sense of loss and mourning for the leader who guided the country through one of its darkest periods.
The fifth line, "He, who preserved our Union, died," is a tribute to Lincoln's role in preserving the unity of the United States. The Civil War was fought over the issue of slavery and states' rights, and Lincoln's leadership was instrumental in keeping the country together. The phrase "preserved our Union" suggests that Lincoln's legacy is one of unity and strength.
The sixth line, "He has passed on to the great beyond," is a reference to Lincoln's death and the belief that he has gone to a better place. The phrase "great beyond" suggests a sense of mystery and wonder, as if Lincoln has transcended the earthly realm and entered into a higher state of being.
The seventh line, "The heavens have received another star," is a metaphor for Lincoln's passing. The phrase "heavens have received" suggests that Lincoln has been welcomed into the afterlife, where he will shine like a star. The use of the word "another" suggests that Lincoln is not the first or the last to pass into the afterlife, but rather a part of a larger cycle of life and death.
The eighth line, "From out the army's dead," is a reference to the soldiers who have died in battle. The phrase "army's dead" suggests that the soldiers have given their lives for a cause greater than themselves, and that their sacrifice will be remembered and honored.
The ninth line, "Two martyrs to the cause they gave," is a reference to Lincoln and the soldiers who died in battle. The phrase "two martyrs" suggests that Lincoln and the soldiers are heroes who have given their lives for a noble cause. The use of the word "cause" suggests that their sacrifice was not in vain, but rather a part of a larger struggle for freedom and justice.
The tenth line, "And fro their slumber rose," is a metaphor for the soldiers who have died in battle. The phrase "fro their slumber" suggests that the soldiers have awakened from their eternal rest to join Lincoln in the afterlife. The use of the word "slumber" suggests that death is not an end, but rather a transition to a new state of being.
The eleventh line, "All hungry, thirsty, faint they rose," is a reference to the soldiers who have suffered and died in battle. The phrase "hungry, thirsty, faint" suggests that the soldiers endured great hardships and suffering in their fight for freedom. The use of the word "rose" suggests that their sacrifice was not in vain, but rather a part of a larger struggle for justice and equality.
The twelfth line, "To arms! all's peace," is a call to arms for the soldiers to continue their fight for freedom and justice. The phrase "all's peace" suggests that the soldiers' sacrifice has brought about a new era of peace and prosperity. The use of the word "arms" suggests that the struggle for freedom and justice is ongoing, and that the soldiers must continue to fight for what they believe in.
In conclusion, "Hush'd Be The Camps To-day" is a poetic masterpiece that captures the emotions of soldiers and civilians alike during the American Civil War. Walt Whitman's use of metaphor, imagery, and symbolism creates a powerful and moving tribute to the soldiers who gave their lives for a noble cause. The poem is a reminder that the struggle for freedom and justice is ongoing, and that we must never forget the sacrifices of those who have come before us.
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