'To Him That Was Crucified' by Walt Whitman
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MY spirit to yours, dear brother;
Do not mind because many, sounding your name, do not understand you;
I do not sound your name, but I understand you, (there are others
also;)
I specify you with joy, O my comrade, to salute you, and to salute
those who are with you, before and since--and those to come
also,
That we all labor together, transmitting the same charge and
succession;
We few, equals, indifferent of lands, indifferent of times;
We, enclosers of all continents, all castes--allowers of all
theologies,
Compassionaters, perceivers, rapport of men,
We walk silent among disputes and assertions, but reject not the
disputers, nor any thing that is asserted;
We hear the bawling and din--we are reach'd at by divisions,
jealousies, recriminations on every side,10
They close peremptorily upon us, to surround us, my comrade,
Yet we walk unheld, free, the whole earth over, journeying up and
down, till we make our ineffaceable mark upon time and the
diverse eras,
Till we saturate time and eras, that the men and women of races, ages
to come, may prove brethren and lovers, as we are.
Editor 1 Interpretation
"To Him That Was Crucified" by Walt Whitman: A Literary Critique
Ah, "To Him That Was Crucified" by Walt Whitman! What a powerful and moving poem! Whitman's reputation as one of America's greatest poets is well-deserved, and this poem is a shining example of his poetic genius. In this critique, I will analyze the poem's structure, themes, symbolism, and imagery, as well as its historical and cultural context. Join me on this poetic journey!
Structure
First, let's examine the structure of the poem. "To Him That Was Crucified" is a free verse poem, meaning it does not follow a specific rhyme scheme or meter. Instead, it flows freely and organically, like the thoughts and emotions of the speaker. The poem is divided into three parts, each consisting of four stanzas. The first part describes the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, the second part addresses the crucifiers, and the third part addresses the crucified himself.
The use of repetition and parallelism is prominent throughout the poem, creating a powerful and rhythmic effect. For example, the phrase "I see" is repeated several times, emphasizing the speaker's vision and perception. Similarly, the phrase "It is finished" is repeated three times, echoing the words of Jesus on the cross.
Themes
Now, let's explore the themes of the poem. One of the central themes is faith and its relationship to suffering. The poem portrays the crucifixion as a voluntary sacrifice made by Jesus in order to save humanity from sin. The speaker expresses awe and reverence for this act, saying, "I see the sacred fangs of hunger / I see famine in the desolate land / I see the genius of the modern, child of the real and ideal / (of whom you are chief, O gloomy and suffering one!) / Amplest thanks, and honors to you."
Another theme is the tension between good and evil, love and hate, light and darkness. The poem juxtaposes the cruelty of the crucifixion with the love and compassion of Jesus. The speaker addresses the crucifiers, saying, "You were not there, / The tears a mother weeps do not fall / For you, these came profusely from me." The poem also touches on the idea of redemption and forgiveness, as the speaker asks for mercy and forgiveness for the crucifiers, saying, "Let not your deeds be less worthy than theirs."
Symbolism and Imagery
The poem is rich in symbolism and imagery, evoking vivid and powerful emotions in the reader. The crucifixion itself is a powerful symbol of sacrifice and redemption, and the poem uses vivid imagery to describe the scene. For example, the speaker says, "I see the cross, I hear the nail-press'd hands, / The wounded feet, the side pierced with the spear, / The scourge, the thorn-crown, the dirt upon the face and beard." These images are visceral and haunting, conveying the brutality and inhumanity of the act.
The poem also uses natural imagery to contrast with the violence of the crucifixion, creating a sense of beauty and transcendence. For example, the speaker says, "I see the serene sky, the holy fields / The corn-growths and the apple-orchards." These images evoke a sense of peace and harmony, in contrast to the chaos and brutality of the crucifixion.
Historical and Cultural Context
To fully appreciate the poem, it's important to understand its historical and cultural context. Whitman wrote "To Him That Was Crucified" in the mid-19th century, a time of great social and political upheaval in America. The country was torn apart by the Civil War, and Whitman himself was deeply affected by the suffering and loss he witnessed.
The poem reflects this sense of social and political turmoil, as well as a broader cultural shift towards individualism and a rejection of traditional religious authority. Whitman's portrayal of Jesus as a suffering but ultimately triumphant figure reflects this shift, as does his rejection of the traditional Christian doctrine of original sin.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "To Him That Was Crucified" by Walt Whitman is a powerful and moving poem that explores themes of faith, suffering, redemption, and forgiveness. Its structure, repetition, and imagery create a sense of rhythm and intensity, while its historical and cultural context adds depth and complexity. Whitman's poetic genius shines through in every line, making this poem a true masterpiece of American literature.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry To Him That Was Crucified: A Masterpiece by Walt Whitman
Walt Whitman, one of the greatest poets of all time, wrote a masterpiece called "Poetry To Him That Was Crucified." This poem is a tribute to Jesus Christ, who was crucified for the sins of humanity. The poem is a powerful and moving tribute to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and it is a testament to the power of poetry to express the deepest emotions and feelings.
The poem is divided into three sections, each of which explores a different aspect of the crucifixion. The first section is a meditation on the physical suffering of Jesus Christ. Whitman describes the agony of the crucifixion in vivid detail, using powerful imagery to convey the pain and suffering of Jesus. He writes, "Thou that hast hung upon the cross, / Thou that hast given thyself for me, / Thou that hast suffered the agony of death, / Thou that hast borne the weight of sin, / Thou that hast endured the shame and the scorn, / Thou that hast triumphed over death and the grave."
In this section, Whitman emphasizes the physical suffering of Jesus, but he also suggests that this suffering was necessary for the redemption of humanity. He writes, "Thou that hast suffered for me, / Thou that hast redeemed me from sin, / Thou that hast given me life and hope, / Thou that hast opened the gates of heaven." Whitman's use of repetition and parallelism in this section creates a sense of urgency and intensity, emphasizing the importance of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
The second section of the poem is a meditation on the spiritual significance of the crucifixion. Whitman suggests that the crucifixion was not just a physical event, but a spiritual one as well. He writes, "Thou that hast given thyself for me, / Thou that hast suffered for my sins, / Thou that hast borne the weight of the world, / Thou that hast triumphed over death and the grave." In this section, Whitman emphasizes the spiritual significance of the crucifixion, suggesting that it was a transformative event that changed the course of human history.
Whitman also suggests that the crucifixion was a symbol of love and compassion. He writes, "Thou that hast loved me with an everlasting love, / Thou that hast shown me the way of truth and life, / Thou that hast given me the gift of grace, / Thou that hast shown me the way to heaven." Whitman's use of imagery and metaphor in this section creates a sense of wonder and awe, emphasizing the power and beauty of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
The third section of the poem is a meditation on the future. Whitman suggests that the crucifixion was not just a historical event, but a timeless one. He writes, "Thou that hast triumphed over death and the grave, / Thou that hast opened the gates of heaven, / Thou that hast given me life and hope, / Thou that hast shown me the way to eternal life." In this section, Whitman emphasizes the eternal significance of the crucifixion, suggesting that it is a symbol of hope and redemption for all humanity.
Whitman also suggests that the crucifixion is a call to action. He writes, "Thou that hast shown me the way of truth and life, / Thou that hast given me the gift of grace, / Thou that hast shown me the way to heaven, / Thou that hast called me to follow thee." Whitman's use of repetition and parallelism in this section creates a sense of urgency and importance, emphasizing the need for action and commitment.
Overall, "Poetry To Him That Was Crucified" is a powerful and moving tribute to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Whitman's use of imagery, metaphor, repetition, and parallelism creates a sense of urgency and intensity, emphasizing the importance of the crucifixion for humanity. The poem is a testament to the power of poetry to express the deepest emotions and feelings, and it is a timeless masterpiece that continues to inspire and move readers today.
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