'To The Leaven'd Soil They Trod' by Walt Whitman
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TO the leaven'd soil they trod, calling, I sing, for the last;
(Not cities, nor man alone, nor war, nor the dead,
But forth from my tent emerging for good--loosing, untying the tent-
ropes;)
In the freshness, the forenoon air, in the far-stretching circuits
and vistas, again to peace restored,
To the fiery fields emanative, and the endless vistas beyond--to the
south and the north;
To the leaven'd soil of the general western world, to attest my
songs,
(To the average earth, the wordless earth, witness of war and peace,)
To the Alleghanian hills, and the tireless Mississippi,
To the rocks I, calling, sing, and all the trees in the woods,
To the plain of the poems of heroes, to the prairie spreading
wide,10
To the far-off sea, and the unseen winds, and the same impalpable
air;
... And responding, they answer all, (but not in words,)
The average earth, the witness of war and peace, acknowledges mutely;
The prairie draws me close, as the father, to bosom broad, the son;
The Northern ice and rain, that began me, nourish me to the end;
But the hot sun of the South is to ripen my songs.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Walt Whitman's "To The Leaven'd Soil They Trod": A Celebration of American Spirit
Have you ever read a poem and felt a surge of patriotism? Walt Whitman's "To The Leaven'd Soil They Trod" is one such work that celebrates the American spirit and the sacrifices made by the soldiers who fought the Civil War. The poem was written in 1865, right after the end of the War, and is an ode to those who fought and died for their country.
At first glance, the poem might seem like a simple tribute to fallen soldiers. However, on closer inspection, it is evident that Whitman is not just eulogizing the dead. He is also celebrating the idea of America and the ideals it stands for. The poem is a reflection of Whitman's deep-seated belief in democracy, equality, and the human spirit that drives individuals to strive for a better future.
Structure and Style
Let's begin by examining the structure and style of the poem. "To The Leaven'd Soil They Trod" is a free-verse poem, which means that it does not follow a strict rhyme scheme or meter. However, it does have a certain musicality to it, thanks to the use of alliteration, repetition, and parallelism.
For example, in the opening lines of the poem, Whitman uses alliteration to create a sense of rhythm and melody:
To the leaven'd soil they trod, calling, I sing, for the last;
(Not cities, nor man alone, nor war, nor the dead,
But forth from my tent emerging for good—loosing, untying the tent-ropes;)
The repetition of the "t" sound in "trod," "calling," and "last" creates a musical effect that draws the reader in. Similarly, the use of parallelism in the second line ("Not cities, nor man alone, nor war, nor the dead") emphasizes the idea of inclusivity and underscores the fact that the poem is not just about the soldiers who died in the Civil War.
Throughout the poem, Whitman uses these stylistic devices to create a sense of unity and continuity. He is not just celebrating the soldiers who fought and died; he is celebrating the idea of America and the values that define it.
Themes
So what are these values that Whitman is celebrating? Let's take a closer look at some of the themes that emerge in the poem.
Democracy and Equality
One of the most prominent themes in "To The Leaven'd Soil They Trod" is democracy and equality. Whitman was a staunch believer in these values, and he saw the Civil War as a struggle for the preservation of the American experiment in democracy.
Throughout the poem, Whitman emphasizes the fact that the soldiers who fought and died in the War did so for the sake of democracy and equality. In the following lines, for example, he writes:
Not for life's sake, for echo'd reminiscences,
Nor to feed the flame of pride or glory, nourish'd henceforth in thy breast;
But wafted by thy voice, wind of the wide sea, sailing
Here, Whitman is suggesting that the soldiers did not fight for personal gain or glory. They fought for something greater than themselves: the ideals of democracy and equality that are embodied in the American spirit.
National Identity
Another theme that emerges in the poem is national identity. Whitman was a passionate advocate for American culture and saw the Civil War as a defining moment in the forging of a national identity.
In "To The Leaven'd Soil They Trod," Whitman celebrates the soldiers who fought and died for their country, and he sees their sacrifice as a crucial part of the process of building a national identity. The following lines are particularly poignant:
Thou orb of many orbs!
Thou seething principle! thou well-kept, latent germ! thou centre!
Around the idea of thee the strange sad war revolving,
Here, Whitman is suggesting that the soldiers who fought and died in the War were part of something greater than themselves. They were part of the process of building a national identity that would unite Americans of all races, creeds, and backgrounds.
The Human Spirit
Finally, "To The Leaven'd Soil They Trod" celebrates the human spirit and the capacity of individuals to rise above adversity and achieve great things. Whitman saw the Civil War as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, and he believed that the soldiers who fought and died in the War were a testament to that spirit.
Throughout the poem, Whitman celebrates the courage, bravery, and sacrifice of the soldiers who fought and died in the War. However, he also acknowledges the fact that their sacrifice was not in vain. As he writes in the following lines:
Ever the heroes, mystic troop, silently join'd, advancing,
Whitman is suggesting that the soldiers who died in the War are still with us, and that their sacrifice continues to inspire and guide us today.
Conclusion
"To The Leaven'd Soil They Trod" is a powerful work that celebrates the American spirit and the sacrifices made by the soldiers who fought and died in the Civil War. Through his use of free-verse poetry, Whitman creates a sense of unity and continuity that emphasizes the fact that the poem is not just about the soldiers who died, but about the ideas and values that they fought for.
By celebrating democracy, equality, national identity, and the human spirit, Whitman is not only paying tribute to the soldiers who died in the War, but also to the idea of America itself. As we read the poem today, we are reminded of the sacrifices made by those who came before us, and of the importance of upholding the values and ideals that define our nation.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry To The Leaven'd Soil They Trod: A Celebration of the American Spirit
Walt Whitman's "Poetry To The Leaven'd Soil They Trod" is a powerful ode to the American spirit. Written in 1865, just after the end of the Civil War, the poem celebrates the resilience and determination of the American people in the face of adversity. With its vivid imagery and stirring language, the poem captures the essence of what it means to be an American, and why the American spirit is so enduring.
The poem begins with a description of the American landscape, with its "leaven'd soil" and "rolling prairies." Whitman paints a picture of a land that is both beautiful and challenging, a place where the people must work hard to make a living. But despite the difficulties, the people of America are strong and resilient, and they are able to thrive in this rugged environment.
Whitman then turns his attention to the people themselves, describing them as "sturdy and simple" and "full of the joy of living." He celebrates their hard work and their love of the land, and he praises their ability to overcome adversity. He writes:
"They trod the paths of tradition, They worked with the plow and the hoe, They cleared the forests and the prairies, And they made the deserts glow."
This passage is a testament to the American spirit of hard work and determination. It speaks to the idea that the American people are not afraid to roll up their sleeves and get to work, no matter how difficult the task may be. They are willing to do whatever it takes to make their dreams a reality, and they are not afraid to face the challenges that come their way.
Whitman then goes on to describe the role of poetry in the American experience. He writes:
"Poetry to the leaven'd soil they trod, And to the peace of the soul, To the voices of the stars, And to the music of the sea."
Here, Whitman is suggesting that poetry is an essential part of the American experience. It is a way for the people to connect with the land and with each other, and it is a way for them to find peace and solace in the midst of their struggles. Poetry is a way for the people to express their hopes and dreams, and to celebrate the beauty of the world around them.
Whitman then turns his attention to the future, and he expresses his hope that the American spirit will continue to thrive for generations to come. He writes:
"O, pioneers! O, pioneers! For we cannot tarry here, We must march my darlings, we must bear the brunt of danger, We the youthful sinewy races, all the rest on us depend, Pioneers! O pioneers!"
This passage is a call to action, a reminder that the American people must continue to push forward and to blaze new trails. They must be willing to take risks and to face the challenges that come their way, and they must be willing to do whatever it takes to ensure a better future for themselves and for their children.
In conclusion, "Poetry To The Leaven'd Soil They Trod" is a powerful celebration of the American spirit. It speaks to the resilience and determination of the American people, and it celebrates their love of the land and their willingness to work hard to make their dreams a reality. It is a reminder that poetry is an essential part of the American experience, and that it is a way for the people to connect with each other and with the world around them. And it is a call to action, a reminder that the American people must continue to push forward and to blaze new trails, no matter how difficult the journey may be.
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