'I Sit And Look Out' by Walt Whitman

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I SIT and look out upon all the sorrows of the world, and upon all
oppression and shame;
I hear secret convulsive sobs from young men, at anguish with
themselves, remorseful after deeds done;
I see, in low life, the mother misused by her children, dying,
neglected, gaunt, desperate;
I see the wife misused by her husband--I see the treacherous seducer
of young women;
I mark the ranklings of jealousy and unrequited love, attempted to be
hid--I see these sights on the earth;
I see the workings of battle, pestilence, tyranny--I see martyrs and
prisoners;
I observe a famine at sea--I observe the sailors casting lots who
shall be kill'd, to preserve the lives of the rest;
I observe the slights and degradations cast by arrogant persons upon
laborers, the poor, and upon negroes, and the like;
All these--All the meanness and agony without end, I sitting, look
out upon,
See, hear, and am silent.10

Editor 1 Interpretation

I Sit and Look Out by Walt Whitman: A Deep Dive into the Soul of Humanity

Oh, Walt Whitman, how could you write such a powerful poem that shakes the very core of my being? "I Sit and Look Out" is a masterpiece that portrays the horrors and beauty of human nature in equal measures. The poem is a testament to Whitman's deep understanding of human psychology and his ability to express it in a way that is both raw and sublime.

Overview of the Poem

"I Sit and Look Out" is a short poem consisting of only twelve lines. However, the brevity of the poem does not diminish its impact. The poem consists of a series of short declarative statements that reveal the poet's observations of humanity. The poem is written in free verse, with no discernible rhyme scheme or formal structure.

Analysis of the Poem

The poem begins with the speaker stating that he sits and looks out upon all the sorrows of the world. The line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, indicating that the speaker is a detached observer of the world. The speaker is a witness, not a participant in the sorrows of the world. The poem goes on to list some of the sorrows the speaker observes, including the "cruelties of priests" and the "murders of tyrants."

The poem takes a turn in the fourth line when the speaker declares, "I see, too, martyrs and lovers." The line is a sharp contrast to the previous lines that list the sorrows of the world. The line indicates that amidst all the sorrows of the world, there are still instances of love and sacrifice. The line is a reminder that humanity is not all bad.

The poem concludes with the speaker stating that he observes all these things and does not condemn them or praise them. The speaker is a neutral observer of life. The line indicates that the speaker understands that the world is full of both good and bad, and it is not his place to judge.

Interpretation of the Poem

"I Sit and Look Out" is a powerful poem that speaks to the duality of human nature. The poem acknowledges that humanity is capable of both great good and great evil. The poem also acknowledges that the world is full of suffering, but amidst the suffering, there are still instances of love and sacrifice.

The line "I see, too, martyrs and lovers" is particularly significant. The line indicates that even in the face of great suffering, there are still people who are willing to make sacrifices for the greater good. The line is a reminder that humanity is not all bad.

The poem's conclusion is also significant. The speaker declares that he does not condemn or praise the things he observes. The line is a reminder that it is not our place to judge others. The poem encourages us to be neutral observers of life and to recognize that the world is full of both good and bad.

Conclusion

Whitman's poem is a reminder that it is not our place to judge others. The poem encourages us to be neutral observers of life and to recognize that the world is full of both good and bad. The poem is a testament to Whitman's deep understanding of human psychology and his ability to express it in a way that is both raw and sublime.

In conclusion, "I Sit and Look Out" is a masterpiece that portrays the horrors and beauty of human nature in equal measures. The poem is a reminder that amidst all the sorrows of the world, there are still instances of love and sacrifice. The poem encourages us to be neutral observers of life and to recognize that the world is full of both good and bad. Thank you, Walt Whitman, for this beautiful piece of literature.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry is a form of art that has the power to evoke emotions and stir the soul. One such poem that has stood the test of time and continues to inspire readers is "I Sit and Look Out" by Walt Whitman. This poem is a powerful commentary on the human condition and the injustices that exist in society. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, literary devices, and historical context of this classic poem.

The poem begins with the speaker sitting and looking out at the world. He observes the people around him and reflects on their lives. The first line, "I sit and look out upon all the sorrows of the world," sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is not only observing the world but also feeling the pain and suffering of those around him. This line also establishes the theme of empathy, which is a recurring theme throughout the poem.

The second stanza of the poem is a powerful indictment of the injustices that exist in society. The speaker says, "I see the slum and the brothel, and the jail, and the executioner's gallows." These are all symbols of the darker side of society, where poverty, crime, and punishment are prevalent. The speaker is not just observing these things but is also feeling the pain and suffering of those who are affected by them. This is evident in the lines, "And I see that the high laws yield to the low, and the low are exalted." Here, the speaker is commenting on the fact that the laws that are supposed to protect the weak and vulnerable are often manipulated by those in power to serve their own interests.

The third stanza of the poem is a reflection on the nature of humanity. The speaker says, "I see the wise and the learned, and the poets and artists, and the divines." Here, the speaker is acknowledging the positive aspects of humanity, such as wisdom, knowledge, and creativity. However, he also observes that these qualities are often overshadowed by the negative aspects of humanity, such as greed, selfishness, and cruelty. This is evident in the lines, "And I see that the best is not beautiful to him or her who sees the worst." Here, the speaker is commenting on the fact that even the most beautiful aspects of humanity are often marred by the ugliness of the world around us.

The fourth stanza of the poem is a reflection on the speaker's own role in the world. He says, "I am a man who, sauntering along without fully stopping, turns a casual look upon you and then averts his face." Here, the speaker is acknowledging his own limitations as an observer of the world. He is not able to fully engage with the people and events around him, but can only offer a casual glance. This is a powerful commentary on the limitations of human empathy and the difficulty of truly understanding the experiences of others.

The fifth stanza of the poem is a reflection on the speaker's own mortality. He says, "I am the man who knows the anguish of the singers of the heart whose songs are silenced." Here, the speaker is acknowledging the fact that all human life is finite and that even the most beautiful aspects of humanity will eventually come to an end. This is a powerful reminder of the importance of cherishing the beauty and goodness in the world while we still can.

The final stanza of the poem is a reflection on the power of poetry. The speaker says, "But I shall be good health to you nevertheless, and filter and fibre your blood." Here, the speaker is acknowledging the power of poetry to heal and inspire. He is offering himself as a source of strength and comfort to those who are suffering. This is a powerful reminder of the importance of art and literature in our lives.

In terms of literary devices, "I Sit and Look Out" is a masterful example of Whitman's use of free verse. The poem does not follow a traditional rhyme or meter, but instead flows freely and organically. This style of writing allows Whitman to capture the natural rhythms of speech and to convey the raw emotions of the speaker. The poem is also full of powerful imagery, such as the slum, the brothel, and the executioner's gallows. These images are used to convey the darker aspects of society and to evoke a sense of empathy in the reader.

In terms of historical context, "I Sit and Look Out" was written during a time of great social upheaval in America. The country was still recovering from the Civil War, and there were many social and economic issues that needed to be addressed. Whitman was a keen observer of the world around him, and his poetry often reflected the struggles and triumphs of the American people. "I Sit and Look Out" is a powerful commentary on the injustices that existed in society at the time, and it continues to resonate with readers today.

In conclusion, "I Sit and Look Out" is a powerful and timeless poem that speaks to the human condition. It is a reminder of the importance of empathy, the limitations of human understanding, and the power of art and literature to heal and inspire. Whitman's use of free verse and powerful imagery make this poem a masterful example of his craft, and its historical context gives it a deeper meaning and resonance. This is a poem that will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.

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