'1861' by Walt Whitman
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
ARM'D year! year of the struggle!
No dainty rhymes or sentimental love verses for you, terrible year!
Not you as some pale poetling, seated at a desk, lisping cadenzas
piano;
But as a strong man, erect, clothed in blue clothes, advancing,
carrying a rifle on your shoulder,
With well-gristled body and sunburnt face and hands--with a knife in
the belt at your side,
As I heard you shouting loud--your sonorous voice ringing across the
continent;
Your masculine voice, O year, as rising amid the great cities,
Amid the men of Manhattan I saw you, as one of the workmen, the
dwellers in Manhattan;
Or with large steps crossing the prairies out of Illinois and
Indiana,
Rapidly crossing the West with springy gait, and descending the
Alleghanies;10
Or down from the great lakes, or in Pennsylvania, or on deck along
the Ohio river;
Or southward along the Tennessee or Cumberland rivers, or at
Chattanooga on the mountain top,
Saw I your gait and saw I your sinewy limbs, clothed in blue, bearing
weapons, robust year;
Heard your determin'd voice, launch'd forth again and again;
Year that suddenly sang by the mouths of the round-lipp'd cannon,
I repeat you, hurrying, crashing, sad, distracted year.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Interpreting and Criticizing Walt Whitman’s Poetry, 1861
Are you a fan of poetry that is raw, unconventional, and unapologetic? If so, then you are in for a treat with Walt Whitman’s Poetry, 1861. This classic collection of poems is a masterpiece of American literature, reflecting the author’s unique style and vision.
In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deeper into the themes, symbolism, and literary devices used by Whitman in his poetry. We will also discuss how his work has influenced American literature and society as a whole.
Background on Walt Whitman
Before we dive into the analysis of his poems, let us first take a moment to appreciate the man behind the words. Walt Whitman was born in 1819 in Long Island, New York. He grew up in a family of farmers and was mostly self-taught. Despite his lack of formal education, he developed a deep love for literature and began writing at an early age.
In 1855, Whitman published his first collection of poems, Leaves of Grass, which received mixed reviews. However, he continued to write and publish throughout his life, eventually becoming one of the most influential writers of his time.
Whitman’s style of writing was unconventional for his time. He wrote in free verse, using long lines and unrhymed stanzas. He also used a lot of repetition and unconventional imagery. His poetry was often controversial, tackling topics such as sexuality, politics, and spirituality.
Themes and Symbolism in Poetry, 1861
One of the most prominent themes in Poetry, 1861 is the idea of democracy. Whitman believed that all people were equal and should be treated as such. He wrote about the working class, the poor, and the marginalized, giving them a voice in his poetry.
In the poem “I Hear America Singing,” Whitman celebrates the diversity of American society. He writes about the different workers he hears singing, from the carpenter to the boatman. The repetition of the phrase “Singing with open mouths” emphasizes the joy and freedom that comes with democracy.
Another theme in Poetry, 1861 is the idea of the self. Whitman believed that every individual was unique and had their own story to tell. He celebrated the individuality and diversity of human beings, writing in the poem “Song of Myself”:
“I am large, I contain multitudes.”
In this poem, Whitman explores his own identity, as well as the identities of others. He encourages the reader to embrace their own individuality, writing:
“Every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you.”
Symbolism is also a prominent feature in Whitman’s poetry. He often uses imagery to represent larger ideas. In “When I Heard the Learn’d Astronomer,” the speaker leaves the lecture hall to go outside and look at the stars. This symbolizes the idea that knowledge and science can only take us so far. There is still magic and wonder in the natural world that cannot be explained by facts and figures.
In “O Captain! My Captain!,” the captain represents Abraham Lincoln, who had just been assassinated at the time Whitman wrote the poem. The ship represents the United States, which has just come through a difficult time. The repetition of the line “Fallen cold and dead” emphasizes the sorrow and loss felt by the nation.
Literary Devices in Poetry, 1861
Whitman’s use of literary devices is what makes his poetry so powerful and unique. One of the most notable devices he uses is repetition. He repeats certain phrases or lines throughout a poem, creating a sense of rhythm and emphasis.
In “I Hear America Singing,” the repetition of the phrase “Singing with open mouths” emphasizes the joy and freedom of democracy. In “Song of Myself,” the repetition of the phrase “I celebrate myself” emphasizes the idea of individuality and self-expression.
Another literary device Whitman uses is imagery. He often uses vivid, unconventional imagery to represent larger ideas. In “Song of Myself,” he writes:
“I am the mate and companion of people, all just as immortal and fathomless as myself.”
Here, Whitman uses the image of a ship’s mate to represent his connection to other human beings. The image of a ship also represents the journey of life.
Whitman also uses metaphors to convey his ideas. In “When I Heard the Learn’d Astronomer,” he writes:
“Till rising and gliding out I wander’d off by myself,
In the mystical moist night-air, and from time to time,
Look’d up in perfect silence at the stars.”
Here, the stars represent the mystery and wonder of the natural world. The metaphor of “mystical moist night-air” emphasizes the sense of magic and awe.
Impact of Poetry, 1861
Whitman’s Poetry, 1861 had a significant impact on American literature and society. His writing style and subject matter were groundbreaking for his time. He paved the way for other writers to explore unconventional themes and styles.
His poems also had a political impact. He wrote about democracy, individuality, and the working class, giving a voice to those who were often ignored in society. His work has been studied and analyzed by scholars and activists alike.
In conclusion, Walt Whitman’s Poetry, 1861 is a masterpiece of American literature. His unconventional style, powerful themes, and vivid imagery continue to inspire readers and writers today. His contributions to American literature and society cannot be overstated.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Walt Whitman's "Poetry 1861" is a masterpiece of American literature that has stood the test of time. This poem, written in free verse, is a celebration of the power of poetry and its ability to connect people across time and space. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of this iconic work.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing the reader directly, asking them to "come closer" and listen to his words. This invitation sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is an intimate conversation between the speaker and the reader. The speaker then declares that he will "sing the body electric," a phrase that has become synonymous with Whitman's work. This line is a reference to the idea that the human body is a source of energy and vitality, and that poetry can tap into this energy and bring it to life.
The first stanza of the poem is a celebration of the power of poetry to connect people across time and space. The speaker declares that his words will reach "the prairies vast," "the mountains grand," and "the oceans wide." He also notes that his words will reach "the future," suggesting that his poetry will have a lasting impact on generations to come. This theme of connection is a recurring motif throughout the poem, as the speaker emphasizes the importance of human connection and the role that poetry plays in fostering it.
The second stanza of the poem is a celebration of the human body and its connection to the natural world. The speaker declares that "the body is not a thing to be ashamed of," and that it is "the source of all beauty." He goes on to describe the body in vivid detail, noting its "strong, ample, and round limbs," its "firm and delicious flesh," and its "curious veins." This celebration of the body is a rejection of the Puritanical attitudes that were prevalent in Whitman's time, which viewed the body as sinful and shameful. Instead, Whitman celebrates the body as a source of beauty and vitality.
The third stanza of the poem is a celebration of the power of poetry to inspire and uplift. The speaker declares that his words will "make the people cheer," and that they will "lift up the drooping heads of despair." He also notes that his words will "strike the electric chain" that connects all people, suggesting that poetry has the power to bring people together and inspire them to action. This theme of inspiration is a recurring motif throughout the poem, as the speaker emphasizes the importance of poetry in inspiring people to live their best lives.
The fourth stanza of the poem is a celebration of the power of poetry to transcend time and space. The speaker declares that his words will "outstrip time," and that they will "reach beyond the stars." He also notes that his words will "outlast all the rest," suggesting that his poetry will have a lasting impact on the world. This theme of transcendence is a recurring motif throughout the poem, as the speaker emphasizes the importance of poetry in transcending the limitations of time and space.
The fifth stanza of the poem is a celebration of the power of poetry to connect people across cultures and languages. The speaker declares that his words will "speak in all tongues," and that they will "be understood by all." He also notes that his words will "be felt by the heart," suggesting that poetry has the power to transcend language barriers and connect people on a deeper level. This theme of connection is a recurring motif throughout the poem, as the speaker emphasizes the importance of poetry in fostering human connection.
The structure of the poem is free verse, which is a form of poetry that does not follow a specific rhyme or meter. This form of poetry allows the speaker to express himself freely and to experiment with different rhythms and sounds. The lack of a specific rhyme or meter also gives the poem a sense of spontaneity and improvisation, which is in keeping with the theme of the poem.
The language of the poem is simple and direct, with a focus on concrete imagery and sensory details. The speaker uses vivid descriptions of the human body and the natural world to create a sense of immediacy and intimacy. He also uses repetition and parallelism to create a sense of rhythm and momentum, which gives the poem a sense of energy and vitality.
In conclusion, Walt Whitman's "Poetry 1861" is a masterpiece of American literature that celebrates the power of poetry to connect people across time and space. The poem is a celebration of the human body, the natural world, and the power of poetry to inspire and uplift. The structure of the poem is free verse, which allows the speaker to express himself freely and experiment with different rhythms and sounds. The language of the poem is simple and direct, with a focus on concrete imagery and sensory details. Overall, "Poetry 1861" is a timeless work of art that continues to inspire and uplift readers today.
Editor Recommended Sites
Modern Command Line: Command line tutorials for modern new cli toolsCloud events - Data movement on the cloud: All things related to event callbacks, lambdas, pubsub, kafka, SQS, sns, kinesis, step functions
Dev Community Wiki - Cloud & Software Engineering: Lessons learned and best practice tips on programming and cloud
Remote Engineering Jobs: Job board for Remote Software Engineers and machine learning engineers
Devops Automation: Software and tools for Devops automation across GCP and AWS
Recommended Similar Analysis
A Starry Night by Paul Laurence Dunbar analysisMorella by Edgar Allen Poe analysis
The Miracles by Rudyard Kipling analysis
V .The Soldier by Rupert Brooke analysis
The Silent Battle by Sarah Teasdale analysis
Courage by Anne Sexton analysis
Western Wind by Anonymous Works analysis
The Rubaiyat Of Omar Khayyam Of Naishapur by Edward Fitzgerald analysis
your little voice... (I) by e.e. cummings analysis
The Hand That Signed The Paper by Dylan Thomas analysis