'Come Up From The Fields, Father' by Walt Whitman
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COME up from the fields, father, here's a letter from our Pete;
And come to the front door, mother--here's a letter from thy dear
son.
Lo, 'tis autumn;
Lo, where the trees, deeper green, yellower and redder,
Cool and sweeten Ohio's villages, with leaves fluttering in the
moderate wind;
Where apples ripe in the orchards hang, and grapes on the trellis'd
vines;
(Smell you the smell of the grapes on the vines?
Smell you the buckwheat, where the bees were lately buzzing?)
Above all, lo, the sky, so calm, so transparent after the rain, and
with wondrous clouds;
Below, too, all calm, all vital and beautiful--and the farm prospers
well.10
Down in the fields all prospers well;
But now from the fields come, father--come at the daughter's call;
And come to the entry, mother--to the front door come, right away.
Fast as she can she hurries--something ominous--her steps trembling;
She does not tarry to smoothe her hair, nor adjust her cap.
Open the envelope quickly;
O this is not our son's writing, yet his name is sign'd;
O a strange hand writes for our dear son--O stricken mother's soul!
All swims before her eyes--flashes with black--she catches the main
words only;
Sentences broken--gun-shot wound in the breast, cavalry skirmish,
taken to hospital,20
At present low, but will soon be better.
Ah, now, the single figure to me,
Amid all teeming and wealthy Ohio, with all its cities and farms,
Sickly white in the face, and dull in the head, very faint,
By the jamb of a door leans.
Grieve not so, dear mother, (the just-grown daughter speaks through
her sobs;
The little sisters huddle around, speechless and dismay'd;)
See, dearest mother, the letter says Pete will soon be better.
Alas, poor boy, he will never be better, (nor may-be needs to be
better, that brave and simple soul;)
While they stand at home at the door, he is dead already;30
The only son is dead.
But the mother needs to be better;
She, with thin form, presently drest in black;
By day her meals untouch'd--then at night fitfully sleeping, often
waking,
In the midnight waking, weeping, longing with one deep longing,
O that she might withdraw unnoticed--silent from life, escape and
withdraw,
To follow, to seek, to be with her dear dead son.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Walt Whitman's Come Up From The Fields, Father: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Walt Whitman's poetry has been celebrated for its unique style, its emotional depth, and its ability to capture the essence of American life. One such poem that exemplifies all these qualities is "Come Up From The Fields, Father."
"Come Up From The Fields, Father" was written during the Civil War, a time of great turmoil in American history. The poem tells the story of a mother who receives a letter from her son, telling her that he has been wounded in battle. The mother is overcome with grief, and the poem follows her emotional journey as she waits to hear more news about her son.
Form and Style
One of the most striking things about "Come Up From The Fields, Father" is its form and style. The poem is written in free verse, which means that it does not follow a strict meter or rhyme scheme. This gives the poem a sense of freedom and spontaneity, which is fitting considering the subject matter. The poem is also written in the first person, which makes the reader feel as though they are experiencing the mother's emotions firsthand.
Another interesting aspect of the poem's style is its use of repetition. The phrase "Come up from the fields, father" is repeated throughout the poem, giving it a haunting quality. The repetition also emphasizes the mother's desperation for news, as she implores her husband to return home and bring her the latest updates.
Themes
The central theme of "Come Up From The Fields, Father" is the devastation of war. Whitman's poem vividly portrays the toll that war takes on families, especially mothers. The mother in the poem is consumed with grief and worry, and her emotions are palpable. Whitman's use of imagery reinforces this theme, as he describes the mother as being "pale as a sheet" and "trembling with terror."
Another theme that emerges in the poem is the idea of sacrifice. The mother's son has given his life for his country, and the mother must make sacrifices of her own as she waits for news. She must sacrifice her own peace of mind and emotional stability in order to support her son and her family.
Interpretation
"Come Up From The Fields, Father" is a powerful and emotional poem that speaks to the universal experience of grief and loss. Whitman's use of free verse and repetition create a sense of urgency and desperation that is impossible to ignore. The poem is a reminder of the human cost of war and the toll it takes on families, especially mothers.
At the same time, the poem is also a celebration of the sacrifice and dedication of those who fight for their country. The mother's son is a hero, and his sacrifice is honored throughout the poem. The mother's own sacrifice is also acknowledged, as she puts aside her own pain to care for her family and support her son.
Overall, "Come Up From The Fields, Father" is a timeless poem that speaks to the human experience in a profound way. Its themes of sacrifice and grief are as relevant today as they were during the Civil War, and its emotional power continues to resonate with readers of all ages.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Come Up From The Fields, Father" is a masterpiece of American poetry that captures the essence of the human experience in a time of war. Whitman's use of free verse and repetition create a sense of urgency that is impossible to ignore, and the poem's themes of sacrifice and grief are as relevant today as they were during the Civil War. "Come Up From The Fields, Father" is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the complex emotions of the human heart and to remind us of our shared humanity.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Come Up From The Fields, Father: A Masterpiece of Walt Whitman
Walt Whitman, the father of free verse, is one of the most celebrated poets in American literature. His works are known for their unconventional style, vivid imagery, and profound themes. One of his most famous poems, "Come Up From The Fields, Father," is a powerful and emotional piece that captures the horrors of war and its impact on families. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and structure of this masterpiece.
Themes
The poem is set during the American Civil War and tells the story of a mother waiting anxiously for news of her son, who is fighting in the war. The poem explores several themes, including the devastating effects of war on families, the fragility of life, and the power of hope.
The first theme, the devastating effects of war on families, is evident throughout the poem. The mother's anxiety and fear for her son's safety are palpable, and her relief when she receives news of his survival is overwhelming. The poem also highlights the toll that war takes on soldiers, as the son returns home wounded and scarred.
The second theme, the fragility of life, is also present in the poem. The mother's fear of losing her son is a reminder that life is precious and can be taken away at any moment. The son's injuries are a testament to the physical toll that war takes on the human body.
The third theme, the power of hope, is perhaps the most important. Despite the mother's fear and anxiety, she never loses hope that her son will return home safely. Her hope is rewarded when she receives news of his survival, and the poem ends on a hopeful note.
Imagery
Whitman's use of imagery in the poem is powerful and evocative. He paints a vivid picture of the mother's anxiety and fear, describing her as "pale and still" and "trembling with the night chill." He also uses imagery to describe the son's injuries, painting a gruesome picture of "the blood oozing from the wounds."
The imagery in the poem is not limited to the physical, however. Whitman also uses imagery to convey the emotional toll that war takes on families. The mother's anxiety and fear are palpable, and the son's emotional scars are evident in his "wild and delirious eyes."
Structure
The structure of the poem is also significant. It is written in free verse, which is typical of Whitman's style. The lack of a strict rhyme scheme or meter allows the poem to flow naturally, giving it a conversational tone.
The poem is divided into three sections, each of which tells a different part of the story. The first section sets the scene, describing the mother's anxiety and fear. The second section describes the son's injuries and the toll that war has taken on him. The third section brings the poem to a hopeful conclusion, as the mother receives news of her son's survival.
Conclusion
"Come Up From The Fields, Father" is a powerful and emotional poem that captures the devastating effects of war on families. Whitman's use of imagery and free verse structure allows the poem to flow naturally, giving it a conversational tone that draws the reader in. The themes of the fragility of life, the devastating effects of war on families, and the power of hope are all present in the poem, making it a timeless masterpiece of American literature.
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