'A Child's Amaze' by Walt Whitman
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SILENT and amazed, even when a little boy,
I remember I heard the preacher every Sunday put God in his
statements,
As contending against some being or influence.
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Child's Amaze by Walt Whitman: An Exploration of Wonder and Innocence
As I delve into the captivating world of poetry, I am often struck by the power of language to evoke emotions and transport readers to different times and places. And when it comes to the works of Walt Whitman, I find myself in a state of childlike wonder, marveling at his ability to capture the essence of life and humanity in his verses. In particular, his poem "A Child's Amaze" is a testament to the beauty and innocence of childhood, and the endless possibilities that lie ahead.
Background and Context
Before we dive into the poem itself, it's worth taking a moment to understand the context in which it was written. Walt Whitman was a prominent American poet born in 1819, known for his unconventional style and free verse form. His work often dealt with themes of nature, democracy, and the human experience, and he is considered one of the most influential poets of the 19th century. "A Child's Amaze" was published in his seminal work, "Leaves of Grass," first published in 1855 and revised and expanded throughout his life.
At its core, "A Child's Amaze" is a celebration of the wonder and awe that children experience as they navigate the world. It speaks to the unbridled curiosity and joy that comes with discovering new things, and the sense of possibility that surrounds every new experience.
A Close Reading of "A Child's Amaze"
Let's take a closer look at the poem itself, stanza by stanza.
SOMETIMES with one I love I fill myself with rage for fear I effuse unreturn’d love,
But now I think there is no unreturn’d love, the pay is certain one way or another,
(I loved a certain person ardently and my love was not return’d,
Yet out of that I have written these songs.)
The poem begins with an acknowledgement of unrequited love and the pain that can come with it. However, the speaker quickly shifts focus to the idea that love is never truly unreturned; there is always a form of payment or compensation, even if it's not the love we expect. This sets the stage for the rest of the poem, which explores the idea of finding wonder and joy in unexpected places.
Something startles me where I thought I was safest,
I withdraw from the still woods I loved,
I will not go now on the pastures to walk,
I will not strip the clothes from my body to meet my lover the sea,
I will not touch my flesh to the earth as to other flesh to renew me.
The second stanza introduces a sense of unease or uncertainty. The speaker is startled by something unexpected, and decides to withdraw from places that once brought them comfort and joy. This could be interpreted as a loss of innocence or a realization that the world is not always safe or predictable.
O how can it be that the ground itself does not sicken?
How can you be alive you growths of spring?
How can you furnish health you blood of herbs, roots, orchards, grain?
Are they not continually putting distemper’d corpses within you?
Is not every continent work’d over and over with sour dead?
Where have you disposed of their carcasses?
Those drunkards and gluttons of so many generations?
Where have you drawn off all the foul liquid and meat?
I do not see any of it upon you to-day, or perhaps I am deceiv’d,
I will run a furrow with my plough, I will press my spade through the sod and turn it up underneath,
I am sure I shall expose some of the foul meat.
The third stanza is a meditation on the cycle of life and death, and the way that nature is able to sustain itself despite the constant influx of death and decay. The speaker marvels at the resilience of the earth and its ability to regenerate and flourish, in spite of the constant presence of "distemper'd corpses." This could be interpreted as a metaphor for the resilience of the human spirit, and the ability to find hope and beauty in even the darkest of circumstances.
Behold this compost! behold it well!
Perhaps every mite has once form’d part of a sick person—yet behold!
The grass of spring covers the prairies,
The bean bursts noiselessly through the mould in the garden,
The delicate spear of the onion pierces upward,
The apple-buds cluster together on the apple-branches,
The tinge awakes over the willow-tree and the mulberry-tree,
The he-birds carol mornings and evenings while the she-birds sit on their nests,
The young of poultry break through the hatch’d eggs,
The new-born of animals appear, the calf is dropt from the cow, the colt from the mare,
Out of its little hill faithfully rise the potato’s dark green leaves,
Out of its hill rises the yellow maize-stalk, the lilacs bloom in the dooryards;
The summer growth is innocent and disdainful above all those strata of sour dead.
The fourth stanza is a celebration of the growth and vitality of spring, and the way that new life springs forth from the compost of the past. The speaker marvels at the way that even the tiniest mite can contribute to the cycle of life, and finds joy in the way that nature is able to renew itself over and over again.
What chemistry!
That the winds are really not infectious,
That this is no cheat, this transparent green-wash of the sea which is so amorous after me,
That it is safe to allow it to lick my naked body all over with its tongues,
That it will not endanger me with the fevers that have deposited themselves in it,
That all is clean forever and forever,
That the cool drink from the well tastes so good,
That blackberries are so flavorous and juicy,
That the fruits of the apple-orchard and the orange-orchard, that melons, grapes, peaches, plums, will none of them poison me,
That when I recline on the grass I do not catch any disease,
Though probably every spear of grass rises out of what was once a catching disease.
The fifth and final stanza is a celebration of the pleasures of life and the way that nature is able to nourish and sustain us. The speaker marvels at the way that even things that might seem dangerous or unclean (like the sea or the grass) are actually safe and nourishing. This could be interpreted as a reminder to embrace the joys of life and not be afraid to take risks or try new things, even if they seem scary or uncertain.
Themes and Interpretation
As I read through "A Child's Amaze," I am struck by the sense of wonder and innocence that pervades the poem. Even in moments of uncertainty or unease, the speaker is able to find joy and beauty in the world around them, and marvels at the resilience and vitality of nature.
One theme that emerges from the poem is the idea of renewal and regeneration. The speaker is able to find hope and beauty in the cycle of life and death, and sees the way that new life springs forth from the compost of the past. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for the human experience, and the way that even in the darkest of circumstances, we are able to find hope and renewal.
Another theme that emerges from the poem is the idea of taking risks and embracing the unknown. The speaker is willing to venture out of their comfort zone and try new things, even if they seem scary or uncertain. This could be interpreted as a reminder to embrace the joys of life and not be afraid to take risks or try new things, even if they seem daunting at first.
Conclusion
As I reach the end of "A Child's Amaze," I am struck by the sense of joy and wonder that pervades the poem. Walt Whitman has captured the essence of childhood innocence and the boundless possibilities that lie ahead, reminding us to find joy and beauty in the world around us and not be afraid to take risks or try new things. In a world that can often feel uncertain and scary, his words are a reminder to hold onto our sense of wonder and curiosity, and to never lose sight of the beauty that surrounds us.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
A Child's Amaze: A Poetic Masterpiece by Walt Whitman
Walt Whitman, one of the most celebrated poets of the 19th century, is known for his unique style of writing that captures the essence of human emotions and experiences. His poem, "A Child's Amaze," is a perfect example of his literary genius. The poem is a beautiful portrayal of a child's innocent wonder and amazement at the world around them. In this article, we will take a closer look at this masterpiece and explore its themes, literary devices, and significance.
The Poem
Before we delve into the analysis of the poem, let's take a moment to read it in its entirety:
Silent and amazed, even when a little boy,
I remember I heard the preacher every Sunday put God in his statements,
As contending against some being or influence.
But I heard nothing said of the plumb line, the grapevine,
The elder and poke-weed, the squaw weed, the nettle,
The miner's lettuce, the tear-thumb, and the turned blade,
And ploughed fields that grew such sweet roots and herbs,
And fenced fields yellow with corn, and the apple orchard white with blossoms.
And such clothes, and carpets and ornaments as they wore,
And the tinkle of the spoon and fork at supper.
And then there was a little child's amaze,
Lit up in my wonder eyes, a strange, yet common object,
A farmer's boy, who sat upon the wagon-seat,
With reins and whip and chewing something, and looking off,
And clapping his hands and shouting with the others,
He was the prelude to more to me than he was to them.
Now I think of the soul of the farmer's boy,
And I think of the soul of the city man,
And I think of the city man and of the country man,
And I wonder whether the two are so different after all.
Themes
The poem "A Child's Amaze" explores several themes, including innocence, wonder, and the beauty of nature. The poem begins with the speaker recalling his childhood memories of attending church and hearing the preacher talk about God. However, the speaker notes that the preacher never mentioned the beauty of nature or the wonders of the world around them. This lack of attention to the natural world is contrasted with the speaker's own amazement at the sights and sounds of the countryside.
The poem also touches on the theme of innocence. The speaker describes the wonder in his eyes as he watches a farmer's boy sitting on a wagon-seat, clapping his hands and shouting with the others. The child's innocence and amazement at the world around him are contrasted with the jaded attitudes of the adults who are more concerned with their own lives and problems.
Finally, the poem celebrates the beauty of nature. The speaker describes the ploughed fields that grow sweet roots and herbs, the apple orchard white with blossoms, and the various weeds and plants that grow in the countryside. The poem suggests that there is a beauty in the natural world that is often overlooked or ignored by people.
Literary Devices
Whitman employs several literary devices in "A Child's Amaze" to convey his themes and ideas. One of the most notable devices is the use of imagery. The poem is filled with vivid descriptions of the natural world, from the ploughed fields to the apple orchard. These descriptions help to create a sense of wonder and amazement in the reader, just as the speaker is amazed by the world around him.
Another literary device used in the poem is repetition. The phrase "And I think" is repeated several times throughout the poem, emphasizing the speaker's contemplation of the differences and similarities between the city and the countryside. This repetition also serves to unify the poem and give it a sense of structure.
Finally, the poem makes use of contrast to highlight its themes. The contrast between the preacher's focus on God and the speaker's focus on the natural world emphasizes the beauty and wonder of the latter. Similarly, the contrast between the child's innocence and the jaded attitudes of the adults highlights the importance of maintaining a sense of wonder and amazement in the face of the world's complexities.
Significance
"A Child's Amaze" is a significant poem for several reasons. First, it is a beautiful celebration of the natural world and the wonder and amazement that it can inspire. The poem encourages readers to take a closer look at the world around them and appreciate its beauty and complexity.
Second, the poem is significant for its exploration of the theme of innocence. The speaker's memories of his childhood amazement at the world around him serve as a reminder of the importance of maintaining a sense of wonder and curiosity throughout one's life.
Finally, the poem is significant for its use of contrast to highlight its themes. By contrasting the preacher's focus on God with the speaker's focus on the natural world, the poem emphasizes the importance of paying attention to the world around us. Similarly, by contrasting the child's innocence with the jaded attitudes of the adults, the poem highlights the importance of maintaining a sense of wonder and amazement in the face of life's complexities.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "A Child's Amaze" is a beautiful and significant poem that celebrates the wonder and beauty of the natural world. Through its use of imagery, repetition, and contrast, the poem encourages readers to take a closer look at the world around them and appreciate its complexity and beauty. The poem also serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining a sense of wonder and curiosity throughout one's life. Overall, "A Child's Amaze" is a true masterpiece of poetry and a testament to Walt Whitman's literary genius.
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