'Voices' by Walt Whitman
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
NOW I make a leaf of Voices--for I have found nothing mightier than
they are,
And I have found that no word spoken, but is beautiful, in its place.
O what is it in me that makes me tremble so at voices?
Surely, whoever speaks to me in the right voice, him or her I shall
follow,
As the water follows the moon, silently, with fluid steps, anywhere
around the globe.
All waits for the right voices;
Where is the practis'd and perfect organ? Where is the develop'd
Soul?
For I see every word utter'd thence, has deeper, sweeter, new sounds,
impossible on less terms.
I see brains and lips closed--tympans and temples unstruck,
Until that comes which has the quality to strike and to unclose,10
Until that comes which has the quality to bring forth what lies
slumbering, forever ready, in all words.
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Voices" by Walt Whitman: An Exploration of Humanity
As I sat down to read Walt Whitman's poem "Voices," I couldn't help but feel excited about what I was about to discover. Whitman's poetry is known for being both powerful and thought-provoking, and "Voices" did not disappoint. The poem is a testament to the beauty of human diversity, and an exploration of the complexity and richness of human experience.
At its heart, "Voices" is a celebration of the human voice. From the very beginning, Whitman establishes the idea that every voice is unique and valuable. He writes, "I heard that you ask'd for something to prove this puzzle, the / new world, / And to define America, her athletic Democracy; / Therefore I send you my poems that you behold in them / what you wanted." Whitman's poems are not just words on a page - they are the voices of the people who make up America.
Throughout the poem, Whitman weaves in different voices and experiences, creating a tapestry of humanity. He writes of "the prostitute draggl'd along in public, / the sly old tipsy hypocrite, / the cunning jaguar is provided for." These are not glamorous or idealized portraits of people, but they are real. Whitman recognizes that every person has their own story, their own voice, their own worth.
One of the most striking aspects of "Voices" is its use of repetition. Whitman repeats certain phrases and lines, creating a rhythmic and almost hypnotic effect. For example, he repeats the phrase "I hear America singing" multiple times throughout the poem. Each time it appears, it takes on a slightly different meaning. At first, it seems to refer to the literal singing of people at work. But as the poem progresses, it becomes clear that "America singing" is a metaphor for the voices of its people.
Whitman also employs repetition to drive home the idea that every voice is important. He writes, "Through the windows - through doors - burst like a ruthless force, / Into the solemn church, and scatter the congregation, / Into the school where the scholar is studying, / Leave not the bridegroom quiet - no happiness must he have now with his bride, / Nor the peaceful farmer any peace, ploughing his field or gathering his grain, / So fierce you whirr and pound you drums - so shrill you bugles blow." The voices of the people cannot be contained - they burst forth into every aspect of life.
Another key element of "Voices" is its use of imagery. Whitman paints vivid pictures with his words, bringing the reader into the world he is describing. For example, he writes, "The carpenter singing his as he measures his plank or beam, / The mason singing his as he makes ready for work, or leaves off / work, / The boatman singing what belongs to him in his boat, the deckhand / singing on the steamboat deck." These images are not just visual - they also evoke a sense of sound and movement. The reader can almost hear the saws and hammers, the splash of water against the boat.
One particularly striking image in the poem is that of the mother. Whitman writes, "I hear the sound of the / maternal heart, / As it murmurs its way, / Whither wafted by breeze, / It sails me - sails the / prairies wide - sails the / scallop-edged waves on / the coast - sails the south- / east and the north-west." The mother's heart is a metaphor for the nurturing and protective instincts that exist in all of us. It is the voice that guides us and comforts us, the voice that reminds us of our humanity.
Perhaps the most powerful aspect of "Voices" is the way in which it challenges the reader to confront their own prejudices and assumptions. Whitman writes, "I hear the chorus, it is / a grand opera, / Ah this indeed is music - this suits me." The "chorus" is made up of all the different voices that Whitman has been describing throughout the poem. By calling it a "grand opera," he is emphasizing the beauty and complexity of human diversity.
But Whitman also recognizes that not everyone is able to appreciate this diversity. He writes, "But what is the / root of all these words? / And why do I / prate and / prattle and / find / something to / say? / What is it in me that / responds to the / voice in all these / people? / And what is it in you, / O men, that renders / you capable of such / superb responses?" Whitman is acknowledging that it takes a certain level of empathy and open-mindedness to appreciate the voices of others. He is challenging the reader to examine their own biases and limitations.
In conclusion, "Voices" is a powerful and moving exploration of humanity. Whitman's use of repetition, imagery, and metaphor creates a vivid and immersive experience for the reader. The poem celebrates the beauty and value of every voice, and challenges us to embrace diversity and empathy. As I finished reading "Voices," I felt a renewed sense of appreciation for the people around me, and a desire to listen more closely to their stories.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Voices: A Celebration of the Human Spirit
Walt Whitman, the father of free verse poetry, is known for his groundbreaking work, Leaves of Grass. One of the most famous poems in this collection is "Poetry Voices," which celebrates the power of poetry to connect people across time and space. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of this classic poem.
Themes
At its core, "Poetry Voices" is a celebration of the human spirit. Whitman believes that poetry is a powerful force that can unite people from all walks of life. He writes, "I hear America singing, the varied carols I hear, / Those of mechanics, each one singing his as it should be blithe and strong." Here, Whitman is celebrating the diversity of the American people and their unique voices. He believes that everyone has a story to tell and that poetry is the perfect medium for sharing those stories.
Another theme of the poem is the power of memory. Whitman writes, "I hear the voices of the dead, / The same as the voices I hear alive." He believes that the voices of the past are just as important as the voices of the present. By listening to the voices of those who came before us, we can learn from their experiences and gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and our world.
Structure
"Poetry Voices" is a free verse poem, which means that it does not follow a strict rhyme or meter. Instead, Whitman uses repetition and parallelism to create a sense of unity and harmony. For example, he repeats the phrase "I hear" throughout the poem, which gives it a musical quality. He also uses parallel structure to compare the voices of different groups of people. For example, he writes, "I hear the chorus, it is a grand opera, / Ah this indeed is music--this suits me." By using parallel structure, Whitman is able to create a sense of balance and symmetry in the poem.
Language
Whitman's language in "Poetry Voices" is simple and direct, but also rich in imagery and metaphor. He uses vivid descriptions to bring the voices of different people to life. For example, he writes, "The delicious singing of the mother, or of the young wife at work, or of the girl sewing or washing, / Each singing what belongs to her and to none else." Here, Whitman is using sensory language to describe the sounds of everyday life. He believes that these sounds are just as important as the sounds of nature or music.
Whitman also uses metaphor to describe the power of poetry. He writes, "The poet shall not spend his time in unneeded work. / He shall know that the ground is always ready ploughed and manured." Here, Whitman is comparing the mind of the poet to a fertile field. He believes that the poet's job is to cultivate this field and bring forth new ideas and insights.
Conclusion
"Poetry Voices" is a timeless poem that celebrates the power of poetry to connect people across time and space. Whitman's language is simple yet rich in imagery and metaphor, and his structure is free yet balanced. By listening to the voices of the past and present, we can gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and our world. As Whitman writes, "For the great Idea, / That, O my brethren, that is the mission of poets."
Editor Recommended Sites
Datawarehousing: Data warehouse best practice across cloud databases: redshift, bigquery, presto, clickhouseGSLM: Generative spoken language model, Generative Spoken Language Model getting started guides
Crypto Jobs - Remote crypto jobs board: Remote crypto jobs board
Developer Recipes: The best code snippets for completing common tasks across programming frameworks and languages
Managed Service App: SaaS cloud application deployment services directory, best rated services, LLM services
Recommended Similar Analysis
To Autum by William Blake analysisWhispers of Immortality by Thomas Stearns Eliot analysis
Past And Future by Elizabeth Barrett Browning analysis
Nurses Song (Experience) by William Blake analysis
Sonnet 23: As an unperfect actor on the stage by William Shakespeare analysis
I Saw In Louisiana A Live Oak Growing by Walt Whitman analysis
Autumn , The by Elizabeth Barrett Browning analysis
The Fiddler of the Reels by Thomas Hardy analysis
There's a certain Slant of light by Emily Dickinson analysis
Number 8 by Lawrence Ferlinghetti analysis