'Out of the Rolling Ocean, The Crowd' by Walt Whitman
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
OUT of the rolling ocean, the crowd, came a drop gently to me,
Whispering, I love you, before long I die,
I have travel'd a long way, merely to look on you, to touch you,
For I could not die till I once look'd on you,
For I fear'd I might afterward lose you.
(Now we have met, we have look'd, we are safe;
Return in peace to the ocean, my love;
I too am part of that ocean, my love--we are not so much separated;
Behold the great rondure--the cohesion of all, how perfect!
But as for me, for you, the irresistible sea is to separate us,10
As for an hour, carrying us diverse--yet cannot carry us diverse for
ever;
Be not impatient--a little space--Know you, I salute the air, the
ocean and the land,
Every day, at sundown, for your dear sake, my love.)
Editor 1 Interpretation
Out of the Rolling Ocean, The Crowd: A Celebration of the Collective Spirit
As I read Walt Whitman's poem "Out of the Rolling Ocean, The Crowd," I couldn't help but be swept away by the sheer power and exultation of his words. This is a poem that celebrates the collective spirit of humanity, the joy of being part of a community, and the thrill of being part of something greater than oneself.
At its heart, "Out of the Rolling Ocean, The Crowd" is a tribute to the power of the group. Whitman revels in the energy and excitement of being part of a crowd, whether it's a group of sailors on a ship or a throng of people in a bustling city. He sings the praises of the "sight of the crowds, and of the sea-ships sailing with the flood-tide" (line 6), celebrating the way that these communal experiences can bring people together and create a sense of shared purpose and belonging.
But Whitman's vision of the crowd is not just about the joy of being part of a group. It's also about the way that this collective energy can inspire us to be our best selves. He writes that "the clear sun shines on the breast of the blue-veil'd spread / The crowd, the masses dense, jammed in their places" (lines 22-23), suggesting that it is the very density and intensity of the crowd that makes it so powerful. And later in the poem, he writes that "the strong, terrific planks / Off the coast, the waves, the men and women ecstatic" (lines 39-40), capturing the sense of exhilaration and possibility that can come from being part of a group.
What I find most striking about this poem is the way that Whitman manages to capture both the energy and the complexity of the crowd. On the one hand, he celebrates the sheer physicality of being part of a group - the way that bodies press together, the noise and chaos of a crowd in motion. But he also recognizes that there is something deeper and more profound at work here - a sense of shared identity and purpose that transcends individual differences and unites us all.
This is perhaps best captured in the poem's closing lines, where Whitman writes:
"All the men and women straining forward with'd claspt hands,
The stars of heaven, the dim descending orbs.
The fiend that rides with'd the whirlwind, raises up his head,
The stars, the terrible perturbations of the suns"
Here, he acknowledges the darker side of the collective spirit - the way that it can sometimes lead to violence and destruction. But he also suggests that even in the midst of chaos and turmoil, there is a kind of beauty and order to be found in the crowd. The stars and the suns may be unpredictable and chaotic, but they are also majestic and awe-inspiring, and in their own way, they are part of the same cosmic order as the throngs of people that populate our cities and towns.
In the end, "Out of the Rolling Ocean, The Crowd" is a poem that celebrates the power of community, the thrill of being part of something greater than oneself, and the beauty and complexity of the crowd. It is a testament to the enduring human desire for connection and belonging, and a reminder that even in our darkest moments, we are never truly alone.
As I finished reading this poem, I felt a sense of awe and wonder wash over me. It is rare to find writing that so perfectly captures the essence of a feeling or experience, but that is exactly what Whitman has done here. His words are a testament to the power of poetry to transport us beyond ourselves, to connect us with something greater, and to remind us that we are all part of the same great human family.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Out of the Rolling Ocean, The Crowd: A Masterpiece by Walt Whitman
Walt Whitman, the father of free verse poetry, is known for his unconventional style of writing. His poems are a reflection of his beliefs and his love for nature, democracy, and humanity. One of his most famous poems, Poetry Out of the Rolling Ocean, The Crowd, is a celebration of the power of poetry and its ability to connect people from all walks of life.
The poem begins with the lines, "Poetry out of the rolling ocean, the crowd, / The waves, the sea-heroes, sailors, / Passions, love, and death!" These lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a tribute to the sea and the people who make their living on it. Whitman uses the ocean as a metaphor for life, and the sailors and sea-heroes as symbols of the human experience.
The poem is divided into three sections, each with its own theme. The first section is a celebration of the power of poetry. Whitman writes, "The power, pulsation, and the charm that is in them / In the solemn chants of the sea and the sailors, / With the responsive waves at the base of the rocks." Here, he is describing the beauty of poetry and how it can evoke emotions in people. He also mentions the sea and the sailors, who are the inspiration for his poetry.
The second section of the poem is a tribute to the sailors and sea-heroes. Whitman writes, "The chant of the mariners, / The song of the young sailor-boy, / The strong and tall mate, / The boatman and the fisherman." Here, he is describing the different types of people who make their living on the sea. He is celebrating their bravery and their connection to the ocean.
The third and final section of the poem is a meditation on life and death. Whitman writes, "The chant of death as well as life, / The funeral chant, the dirge, for the ebb and flow of the tide." Here, he is acknowledging the inevitability of death and the cycle of life. He is also using the ocean as a metaphor for the passage of time.
One of the most striking things about this poem is its use of repetition. Whitman repeats certain phrases throughout the poem, such as "the rolling ocean, the crowd," "the waves, the sea-heroes, sailors," and "passions, love, and death." This repetition creates a sense of rhythm and unity in the poem. It also emphasizes the themes of the poem and reinforces the idea that poetry can connect people from all walks of life.
Another notable aspect of this poem is its use of imagery. Whitman uses vivid descriptions of the sea and the people who make their living on it to create a sense of realism and authenticity. For example, he writes, "The smell of salt and of the sea-foam, of the shore and the limpid green of the leaves." This description evokes the senses and transports the reader to the ocean.
In addition to its use of repetition and imagery, this poem is also notable for its use of free verse. Whitman was one of the first poets to use free verse, which is a style of poetry that does not follow a specific rhyme or meter. This style of writing allows for greater flexibility and creativity in the poem. It also reflects Whitman's belief in democracy and individualism.
Overall, Poetry Out of the Rolling Ocean, The Crowd is a masterpiece of poetry. It celebrates the power of poetry and its ability to connect people from all walks of life. It also pays tribute to the sea and the people who make their living on it. Through its use of repetition, imagery, and free verse, this poem creates a sense of rhythm and unity that is both powerful and inspiring.
Editor Recommended Sites
Webassembly Solutions: Webassembly consulting in DFWAI ML Startup Valuation: AI / ML Startup valuation information. How to value your company
Multi Cloud Tips: Tips on multicloud deployment from the experts
Visual Novels: AI generated visual novels with LLMs for the text and latent generative models for the images
Jupyter App: Jupyter applications
Recommended Similar Analysis
Songs Of Experience: Introduction by William Blake analysisOde on Solitude by Alexander Pope analysis
On the Grasshopper and Cricket by John Keats analysis
I held a Jewel in my fingers by Emily Dickinson analysis
A Last Confession by William Butler Yeats analysis
Sonnet 93: So shall I live, supposing thou art true by William Shakespeare analysis
Shakespeare by Matthew Arnold analysis
Love Letter by Sylvia Plath analysis
The Vine by Robert Herrick analysis
Visions And Interpretations by Li-Young Lee analysis